Before the War
Frank fought in World War I, studied economics and jurisprudence, and in 1921 joined the German Workers’ Party (which became the Nazi Party). He eventually became the party’s chief legal counsel and Hitler’s personal lawyer. After the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, Frank was appointed to a variety of important posts, including president of the Reichstag and minister of justice in the Nazi government.
Frank was the Minister of Justice in the province of Bavaria when he complained to Hitler about the illegal killings taking place at the Dachau Concentration Camp. He also raised objections to the proposed execution without trial of 110 members of the paramilitary group, the SA. As a result of this intervention, only 20 men were shot, but Frank lost prestige and influence within the Nazi Party.
Wartime Role
After the German invasion of Poland in 1939, Frank was appointed governor-general, becoming the supreme chief of occupied Poland’s civil administration.
With this promotion and increase in rank, Frank suddenly wielded power over new German territories. As long as he adhered to his Fuhrer’s desires, and Nazi Party principles, Frank could do as he pleased. He put his legal prowess to use, forcing Jewish citizens of his Polish lands into ghettos – primarily the infamous Warsaw ghetto – and forced labor camps.
He was a powerful man in the segregation movement, responsible for tearing Jewish citizens from their homes and lives, and exiling them into death camps. Perhaps the most damning statement in Frank’s career as a Nazi official came in December of 1941, when he gave a speech to his senior officials in the General Government – this speech explicitly explained how Hitler wished to annihilate all Jewish people, spelling out the Fuhrer’s orders to have all Jewish individuals killed without pity, and without concern.
In the months and years that followed, Frank oversaw four of the six death camps located in the General Government areas of Poland: Bełżec, Treblinka, Majdanek, and Sobibór. Though during later years and investigations Frank claimed that he had nothing to do with any extermination of the Jewish people, he was ultimately found guilty of aiding the Nazi cause after the war due to his participation in this effort.
Hans Frank in full military attire.
Hans Frank in occupied Krakow greets the leaders of German Sonderdienst (Special Forces) in April 1941 at Wawel
Hans Frank, regarding the Jews, in December 1941:
"This war would be only a partial success if the whole lot of Jewry survived it, while we shed our best blood to save Europe. My attitude toward the Jews will therefore be based solely on the expectation that they must disappear. They must be done away with. Gentlemen, I must ask you to rid yourself of all feeling of pity. We must annihilate the Jews wherever we find them and wherever it is possible."