Albert Forster

Albert Forster attendended the Humanistische Gymnasium in Fürth from 1912 to 1920. He became member of the SA of Fürth in 1923, and observed the high treason process against Ludendorff, Hitler and further eight accused, which took place from 26 February to 1 April 1924, in the court of Munich.

He became Gauliter (governor) of the province Danzig-West Prussia from 1939 to 1945. He persued a policy of assimilation of the Poles in his area of responsibility, in which he simply declared them to be German. This policy was in direct contrast to what was going on in the Warthegau by Gauliter Arthur Greiser. Griser zealously persued a policy of ethnic cleansing and had complained to SS Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler that Forster's assimilation policy was against Nazi racial theory. When Himmler threatened Forster over this issue, Forster simply ignored him, realizing that Hitler allowed each Gauliter to run his area as he saw fit.

Despite his relatively mild administration of occupied Polish Territory, Forster was responsible of expulsion of several hundred thousands Poles to the General Governement and Stutthof concentration camp. He was also one of the responsibles for mass murder at Piasnica, where approximately 60 000 Polish and Kashub inteligentsia were killed.

After the war he was condemed by Polish court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and was hanged in 1947.

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