Astaunch National Socialist? Paul Vogel (1900-1979)

Abstract

Paul Vogel belonged to agroup of neurologists born around 1900 who felt particularly attracted by the promises of National Socialism. Shortly after having completed his Habilitation in 1934 he became head of the leading neurology department in Berlin located at the Hansaplatz. Doctors working there reported patients for sterilization according to the Law for the Prevention of Genetically Diseased Offspring. They also acted as experts for Hereditary Health Courts (Erbgesundheitsgerichte). In 1933, Vogel chose to join the NS Medical Association and in 1937 became member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP). Influential medical officials confirmed his "political reliability" and this status made him eligible to succeed Viktor von Weizsäcker, his teacher, at Heidelberg University in 1941. Adenazification tribunal classified him in 1946 as afollower (Mitläufer) partly because he was said to have taken astance against the NS film drama "Iaccuse" in front of medical students. After WWII Vogel developed the neurological wards in Heidelberg into afully-fledged neurological department. In 1955 and 1956 he acted as president of the German Neurological Society. In 1978 he became an honorary member.