Bund Bayern und Reich
Following the chaos of the November Revolution, and due to the inefficiency of the defeated German army, Einwohnerwehr ("civilian militia", or "civil guard") groups were formed to suppress the revolting Soviet Republics, as well as combat looting and sabotage.
Leadership was initially held by Dr. Georg Escherich and Hermann Kriebel; however these two men, believing themselves too conspicuous, gave command to Dr. Otto Pittinger.
[4] Bayern und Reich supported pro-monarchist efforts, antisemitism, and sought to fight Marxist elements in Bavaria.
It promoted a return to the borders of the German Empire, Christian traditions, and freedom from the limits placed on Germany by the Versailles Treaty.
"[6] Among the various "Fatherland societies" that sprung up during this time period, Bayern und Reich was, despite some of its more extreme views, decidedly center.
[14] In the social make-up of Bayern und Reich, the leaders were generally older and better established in life, both in regards to a civilian or military past.
It held close connections with wealthy and powerful sponsors, especially those business owners and industrialists who needed protection from leftist rioters.
[16] However, in 1922 von Mohl was removed from command because of his political activities, and the primary force behind Bayern und Reich's unity was taken away.
[2] The two men continued to clash over various issues, until finally Pittinger accused Röhm of misappropriating goods and funds given for the administration of the Bavarian state, the Reichswehr, and Bayern und Reich.
[21] Dissatisfied with the current state of Bavarian politics, and seeking to place von Kahr in control, Pittinger plotted a coup in July 1922.
When Ludecke drove back to Pittinger's place, he found the Bayern und Reich chairman coming out of his house.
Beside Pittinger's withdrawal, the Bayern und Reich putsch failed for a number of reasons: the embarrassing revelation that some conspirators had taken French funds;[22] the discovery of the plan by the police; and a lack of coherency among the various right-wing groups about end goals (e.g., some wanted to restore the Bavarian monarchy, some wanted to unite with Austria in a Catholic state, etc.).
With the fear of an uprising from Hitler growing among many in Bavaria, Pittinger promised von Kahr and other leaders that Bayern und Reich would stand with the government.
[27] In the aftermath of the failed putsch, Bayern und Reich continued to distance itself from the more revolutionary elements, and began to cooperate more closely with other monarchist organizations.
Conflict quickly rose between Pittinger and von Tutschek, due largely to the fact that the power of the military leader was never properly outlined.
While Pittinger saw himself as the sole leader of Bayern und Reich, von Tutschek demanded full autonomy over all military concerns.
[5] The remainder of Bayern und Reich eventually merged with the quickly growing Der Stahlhelm ("The Steel helmet") organization in 1929.
The absorption by Stalhlem of Bayern und Reich transformed it from a negligible factor in Bavarian politics into a powerful bloc.
