Category Archives: Royal Dutch Shell Group

CHAPTER 8: Royal Dutch Shell Anti-Semitism

In the pre-war years, Royal Dutch Shell adopted anti-Semitic policies within its Germany subsidiary, and subsequently in the Netherlands following occupation by the Nazis. The Swastika flag flew on the classic Dutch facade of Royal Dutch’s head office at 30 Carel van Bylandtlaan in The Hague. Displayed immediately below is a screenshot of the adjacent current HQ of Royal Dutch Shell Plc.

As his infatuation with the Nazis grew, Sir Henri Deterding began making anti-Semitic remarks in his correspondence. See page 481 RDSH V1. read more

shellplc.website and its sister non-profit websites royaldutchshellplc.com, royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellenergy.website, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net and shell2004.com are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia feature.
Posted in A History of Royal Dutch Shell, Anti-Semitic, Bataafsche, Collaboration, Germany, Hauptmann Eckhardt von Klass, Human Rights, Jewish, Rhenania-Ossag, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Shell, Sir Henri Deterding, The Nazi Party | Tagged | Comments Off on CHAPTER 8: Royal Dutch Shell Anti-Semitism

CHAPTER 9: Deterding’s support for Nazi Stormtroopers

The Sturmabteilung (SA) (Storm Detachment or Assault Division) in Nazi Germany functioned as the original paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party. The SA played a key role in Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in the 1920s and 1930s.  (Information from Wikipedia article “Sturmabteilung.”)

The Sturmabteilung (SA) – “Stormtroopers,” was the paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party and played an important role in Hitler’s rise to power. SA men were known as “brownshirts.”

Sir Henri Deterding was linked to the SA. read more

shellplc.website and its sister non-profit websites royaldutchshellplc.com, royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellenergy.website, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net and shell2004.com are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia feature.
Posted in Adolf Hitler, Anti-Semitic, Austria, Berlin, Dr George Bell, Germany, Nuremberg War Crimes Trials, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Shell, Sir Henri Deterding, The Nazi Party, The Nazis, The Reichstag fire | Tagged | Comments Off on CHAPTER 9: Deterding’s support for Nazi Stormtroopers

CHAPTER 10: Shell support for the Nazis continued after the retirement of Sir Henri as leader

The above photograph is of Sir Henri Deterding around the time of his retirement as absolute leader of the Royal Dutch Shell Group, standing alongside his third wife, a thirty-eight-year-old German-born ardent Nazi, Charlotte Knaack. Her admiration for the Nazis probably strengthened his views, and no doubt played a part in the decision to move their home to Germany.

In October 1936, the first news reports of the pending resignation of Sir Henri Deterding as the leader of Royal Dutch Shell Group were published. read more

shellplc.website and its sister non-profit websites royaldutchshellplc.com, royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellenergy.website, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net and shell2004.com are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia feature.
Posted in Adolf Hitler, Charlotte-Minna Knaack, Fritz De Kok, Germany, Human Rights, I.G. Farben, IG Farben, Jewish, Nuremberg War Crimes Trials, Oil, Rhenania-Ossag, Robert Finn, Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Shell, Sir Henri Deterding, Standard Oil, The Holocaust, The Nazis, World War 2, Zyklon-B gas | Comments Off on CHAPTER 10: Shell support for the Nazis continued after the retirement of Sir Henri as leader

CHAPTER 11: Shell collaborated in the Nazi annexation of Austria and occupation of Czechoslovakia

German forces entered Vienna on 17 March 1938 (above). The Nazis annexed Austria in what became known as the Anschluss and occupied Czechoslovakia a year later. Royal Dutch Shell authorized its German subsidiary Rhenania-Ossag, to take over Shell operating companies in both countries.

Being one of the two biggest German oil concerns and the main lube oil manufacturer, Shell subsidiary Rhenania-Ossag was an industry leader in Nazi Germany. Many of its directors and staff were Nazis.

Following Hitler’s annexation of Austria on 12 March 1938 (photo) and the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, Dutch directors of Royal Dutch gave approval to Rhenania-Ossag taking over the Shell operating companies in those countries. read more

shellplc.website and its sister non-profit websites royaldutchshellplc.com, royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellenergy.website, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net and shell2004.com are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia feature.
Posted in Adolf Hitler, Czechoslovakia, Deutsche Gasolin A.G., Germany, Hauptmann Eckhardt von Klass, Heinrich Himmler, I.G. Farben, IG Farben, Rhenania-Ossag, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Shell, Standard Oil, The Nazis, Uncategorized, World War 2 | Comments Off on CHAPTER 11: Shell collaborated in the Nazi annexation of Austria and occupation of Czechoslovakia

CHAPTER 12: Shell’s notorious business partner: IG Farben

Several IG Farben directors were found guilty of war crimes arising from their actions during WW2.  The firm manufactured large quantities of Zyklon-B gas used by the Nazis to kill millions of Jews at extermination camps during the Holocaust. Royal Dutch Shell was a business partner of I.G. Farben both in Germany and globally.

Prior to WW2, Royal Dutch Shell had been a business partner both internationally and in Germany, with I.G. Farben (Interessen-Gemeinschaft Farbenindustrie AG.

IG Farben was formed in 1925 from a number of chemical companies and became the largest chemical company in the world.  Involved in war crimes during WW2, the company was seized by the Allies in 1945 and liquidated in 1952. read more

shellplc.website and its sister non-profit websites royaldutchshellplc.com, royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellenergy.website, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net and shell2004.com are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia feature.
Posted in Dr. Erich Boeder, Heinrich Himmler, Hermann Göring, Human Rights, I.G. Farben, IG Farben, Nuremberg War Crimes Trials, Oil, Rhenania-Ossag, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Russia, Shell, Sir Henri Deterding, Slave labor, Standard Oil, Verwalter, Wikipedia, World War 2, Zyklon-B gas | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on CHAPTER 12: Shell’s notorious business partner: IG Farben

CHAPTER 13: Royal Dutch Shell and Nazi slave labor

The photograph shows military uniforms worn by marching employees of the Shell German subsidiary, Rhenania-Ossag. A photograph on the next page shows swastika flags on display during a staff meeting. Rhenania-Ossag was part and parcel of the Nazi movement when the Shell Group was in undisputed full control of the company.  A senior director was involved in Nazi military planning.

In 1935, Rhenania-Ossag (owned by Royal Dutch Shell) was Germany’s second-largest gas station company, with 16,363 petrol pumps and several refineries. There were active Nazi members in the workforce and management. It’s DG, Dr. Erich Boeder, was involved in Nazi military planning (oil production) on behalf of the company. read more

shellplc.website and its sister non-profit websites royaldutchshellplc.com, royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellenergy.website, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net and shell2004.com are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia feature.
Posted in Adolf Hitler, Anti-Semitic, Collaboration, Deutsche Gasolin A.G., Germany, I.G. Farben, IG Farben, Jewish, Oil, Rhenania-Ossag, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Shell, Slave labor, Standard Oil, Swastika flag, The Nazi Party, The Nazis, The Netherlands, Uncategorized, Waffen-SS, World War 2, Zyklon-B gas | Comments Off on CHAPTER 13: Royal Dutch Shell and Nazi slave labor

CHAPTER 14: Control of Royal Dutch Shell companies in Nazi-occupied Europe

The Nazis presented considerable challenges to Royal Dutch Shell over control of its subsidiaries in occupied countries. The above caricature (and seated Nazi officer in the photograph) is a former Shell director, Hauptmann Eckhardt von Klass. He was the Verwalter (administrator) appointed by the Nazis to “exercise supervision over Group companies in occupied Europe.” See pages 80 and 81 from RDSH V2.

Before, during, and after World War 2, Royal Dutch Shell was the owner of companies located in Germany and Nazi-occupied Europe, including Rhenania-Ossag. read more

shellplc.website and its sister non-profit websites royaldutchshellplc.com, royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellenergy.website, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net and shell2004.com are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia feature.
Posted in A History of Royal Dutch Shell, Hauptmann Eckhardt von Klass, I.G. Farben, IG Farben, Jewish, Rhenania-Ossag, Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Shell, Slave labor, The Nazi Party, The Nazis, The Netherlands | Tagged | Comments Off on CHAPTER 14: Control of Royal Dutch Shell companies in Nazi-occupied Europe

CHAPTER 17: Why does it still matter?

The general public, drivers, investors, relatives of victims of the Holocaust and other Nazi crimes against humanity, are entitled on moral grounds, to be aware of this dark chapter in the history of Royal Dutch Shell. People can then decide on an informed basis if they wish to hold shares in the company, or purchase Shell products.

The purpose of this book is to present the unvarnished history of a very dark chapter in Shell’s past, rather than the spun version paid for by the oil giant. I have also drawn attention to other unethical episodes in the history of Royal Dutch Shell.  read more

shellplc.website and its sister non-profit websites royaldutchshellplc.com, royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellenergy.website, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net and shell2004.com are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia feature.
Posted in Adolf Hitler, Apartheid, Ben van Beurden, BP, Business Ethics, Business Principles, Corrib Gas Project, Corruption, Environment, Gazprom, Germany, I.G. Farben, IG Farben, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Russia, Shell, Sir Philip Watts, The Nazis, Uncategorized | Comments Off on CHAPTER 17: Why does it still matter?

CHAPTER 18: Time for a rare public apology from Shell?

Members of Nigeria’s Ogoni community protest against Shell in New York. Photograph: Bebeto Matthews/AP

Shell does not appear to be big on making apologies. Google “Shell apology” and the search results relate to hoax Shell apologies for human rights abuses in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Shell has recently apologized for causing Dutch earthquakes, but not for the evil conduct of its past directors in relation to the financing and appeasement of the Nazis, which cost some Shell employees their lives.  read more

shellplc.website and its sister non-profit websites royaldutchshellplc.com, royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellenergy.website, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net and shell2004.com are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia feature.
Posted in Alaska, Appeasement, Arctic, Environment, Exxon, Groningen Earthquakes, Human Rights, NAM, Niger Delta, Nigeria, Ogoni, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Shell, Shell Spying, The Nazis, The Netherlands, World War 2, Yes Men | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on CHAPTER 18: Time for a rare public apology from Shell?

CHAPTER 19: INDEX OF KEY DATES

Index of key dates:

Henri Deterding served as chairman of the combined Royal Dutch/Shell oil company between 1900 and 1936.

In or around 1931, Deterding bought a hunting estate in rural Mecklenburg, Germany. See page 477 RDSH V1.

The Reichstag fire, a pivotal event in the rise of Hitler, took place in January 1933.

On 30 January 1933 (page 465 RDSH V1) Hitler was appointed Reich Chancellor of Germany. 

Deterding welcomed Hitler’s appointment and by November 1933, Deterding said that he had met Hitler. See page 477 RDSH V1. read more

shellplc.website and its sister non-profit websites royaldutchshellplc.com, royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellenergy.website, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net and shell2004.com are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia feature.
Posted in A History of Royal Dutch Shell, Adolf Hitler, Berchtesgaden, Mecklenburg, Rhenania-Ossag, Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Shell, Sir Henri Deterding, The Nazi Party, The Nazis, The Reichstag fire, World War 2 | Comments Off on CHAPTER 19: INDEX OF KEY DATES