 An early career image of Walter Lohmann | |
| Born | 30 December 1878 Bremen |
|---|---|
| Died | 29 April 1930 (aged 51) Rome |
| Cause of death | Myocardial infarction |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Service | Reichsmarine |
| Years of service | 1897-1927 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Naval Transport Division |
| Known for | Lohmann Affair |
Walter Lohmann (born 30 December 1878 in Bremen; died 29 April 1930 in Rome) was a German Reichsmarine officer with the rank of captain.[1] From 1920 to 1927 as commander of the Naval Transportion Division, Lohmann ran a secret rearmament and research program on behalf of the Ministry of the Reichswehr in an attempt to circumvent the Versailles restrictions. Lohmann's access to naval offices in Königsberg, Lübeck, Stettin, Hamburg, and Bremen gave him access to very specialized information and financial resources. He used this knowledge in his work in a way that was far beyond his authority and technical competence. Favoured by the interests of the Chief of Naval Headquarters, Admiral Paul Behncke, it led to uncontrolled scope for legal violations, criminal activity and high-handed action by individuals within the ministry. When his work was discovered in 1927, the scandal became known as the Lohmann affair in Germany and led to the resignation of Reichswehr Minister Otto Gessler in January 1928[2] and director of naval command Admiral Hans Zenker.[3] Lohmann himself was retired and his pension was cut, but he was never prosecuted, because to uncover the affair's true background would have been too great a risk. Completely impoverished, Lohmann died three years later of a heart attack.[4] After he was relieved of duty, the clandestine rearmament programme was continued and expanded.
- ^ "Otto Geßler 1875-1955" (in German). Deutsches Historisches Museum. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Bird 1977, p. 180.
- ^ Remmele 1997, p. 314.
- ^ CIA 1993, p. A37.