1930’s
Royal Dutch Shell Group directors J.B.A.Kessler (left) in conversation with Henri Deterding (centre) and J.E.F. de Kok. All three served at different times as Shell DG.
Sir Henri Deterding
J.B.A.Kessler, Henri Deterding and J.E.F. de Kok all Director Generals of the Royal Dutch Shell Group
Deterding to Distribute More Food in Germany
Deterding to Distribute More Food in Germany
Wireless to THE NEW YORK TIMES.
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, June 7.–Sir Henri Deterding will continue his efforts to help Netherlands farmers by buying surplus produce for distribution in Germany.
Some months ago he spent 10,000,000 florins on agricultural produce that could not be sold by normal means because of clearing regulations. He gave this to the German Winter relief.
Sir Henri’s action met much criticism. It was said, for instance, that Germany’s situation was largely caused by her rearmament policy, and it was argued that if Netherlands farmers needed help it could be given directly instead of by way of Germany.
HITLER MAY REPLY TO MR. EDEN’S APPEAL
The Advertiser Newspaper (Adelaide), Saturday 23 January 1937 page 23
No Change In Policy Expected
LIKELY GUARANTEE TO BELGIUM
Rearmament Nears Completion
From “The Advertiser” Special Representative LONDON, January 22.
While Hitler, in replying to Mr. Eden’s appeal, is expected to make a new “peace offer,” including a guarantee of Belgian neutrality, with the object of embarrassing France and still further detaching Flemish sentiment from her, he is not expected to give any real indications of a change of policy.
The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph’ says it would be surprising if Hitler takes a single step towards collective security. To the contrary, he will probably take the opportunity of disagreeing with much of Mr. Eden’s speech.
GERMANY: Petticoat Philanthropy?
Time.com: Monday, Jan 11, 1937
GERMANY: Petticoat Philanthropy?
Sir Henri, who was knighted by King George V in 1920, has for many years had his chief residence in London’s swank Mayfair, but last week he was sitting in his new house near the German capital and showed signs of developing into a good Berliner.
His big Germanic gesture as 1937 opened was to place 10,000,000 Dutch guilders ($5.475,000) at the disposal of Dutch farmers so that they might export their superfluous green stuffs, fruit and cattle to Germany without loss to themselves and with cost to food-starved Nazis much reduced. This “non-political and exclusively humanitarian” gift received the special commendation of The Netherlands Government.
DETERDING AIDS REICH AS WAY TO BAR REDS
THE NEW YORK TIMES: DETERDING AIDS REICH AS WAY TO BAR REDS: 31 December 1937
Explains Purpose of Plan to Buy Netherland Food Products for Shipment to Germany.
Wireless to THE NEW YORK TIMES
AMSTERDAM. The Netherlands.
Dec. 30.–In a statement appearing in the leading newspapers here, Sir Henri Deterding, chairman of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company explains his plan to purchase about 10,000,000 guilders’ worth of Netherland cattle and agricultural products for the German food supply.
SIR HENRI DETERDING EXPLAINS BIG GIFT TO AID GERMANY
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser: 31 December 1936, Page 1
SIR HENRI DETERDING’S CAMPAIGN
Article published 31 December 1936 on page 10 of The Sydney Morning Herald
SIR HENRI DETERDING’S CAMPAIGN.
Reason for £1,000,000 Gift.
LONDON, Dec. 30.
Sir Henri Deterding, director-general of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, and a director of the Shell Transport and Trading Co., Ltd., who has given £1,000,000 for the purchase of Dutch produce for export to Germany, apparently intends the gift as part of the campaign against economic restrictions and Communism. “The main object of the Communists is to prevent co-operation between the nations,” he says. “They therefore started to create trouble in Spain six years ago, and the result is now visible.
DUTCHMAN’S GIFT TO GERMANY
The Advertiser Adelaide, SA Thursday 31 December 1936 Page 17: (Complete Article)
Communism And Trade Barriers Aimed At
Australian Associated Pres.
THE HAGUE, December 29.
Indicating that his gift of £1,000,000 to purchase produce for export to Germany was aimed to circumvent economic restrictions and communism.
Henri Deterding, Director-General o! the Royal Dutch Petroleum Co, said today:—”The main object of the Communists is to prevent co-operation between nations. They therefore started to create trouble in Spain six years ago, and the result is now daily visible.”
Britain, he said, could be thanked for her policy of non-intervention which had prevented greater trouble among other Powers whose further co-operation would be the quickest remedy against infectious Communism. Reviewing the economic conditions obtaining in Holland, Sir Henri Deterding said that the only solution was the diversion of surplus products to a country where they were wanted. Trade restrictions between Germany and Holland could then be safely cancelled.
Sir Henri Deterding And The Nazis
The Straits Times, 30 December 1936, Page 11
Sir Henri Deterding And The Nazis.
Berlin, Dec. 20.
The Dutch oil king, Sir Henri Deterding, is giving 10,000,000 Dutch florins to buy agricultural products in Holland for Germany.
The official Nazi organ, Der Angriff, describes the gift as a gigantic one of foodstuffs for “the winter help.”
Sir Henri has long been regarded as one of the leading friends of the new Germany.–Reuters Wireless.
Sir Henri Deterding has given £1,000,000 for the purchase of farm products for export to Germany
FROM THE ARGUS (MELBOURNE) NEWSPAPER AUSTRALIA PUBLISHED 30 December 1936
IMPERIAL AND FOREIGN
Messages from the Continent Indicate; that neither Slgnor Mussolini nor Herr Hitler is hastening to reply to the communication sent by Great Britain and France about the enlistment of volunteers in Spain.
Great Britain and Japan have formally informed the United States of their intention to invoke the escalator clause of the Treaty of London. In the year ended December 25 the foreign trade of Japan increased by about £27,000,000.
Thirty leading Nazis have been arrested at Warsaw by the political police, and other arrests are expected.
UNEXPECTED AID FOR GERMANY
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) Wednesday 30 December 1936 Page 11 (Complete Article)
This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net,
are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment. £1,000.000 Purchase Of Dutch Produce
THE HAGUE. December 28.
With a view to assisting Dutch farmers, Sir Henri Deterding, Director-General of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Co., has given £1,000.000 to purchase produce for export to Germany. The gift is said not to be concerned with politics. Sir Henri Deterding married a German, Fraulien Knaack, in June last year, and at present lives outside Berlin. His object is, as a Dutchman, to help both countries. He proposes to buy up vegetables and meat, unsaleable owing to over-production. The Dutch Government has agreed to issue special export licences.
DUTCH SHELL HEAD TO BUY DUTCH FARM PRODUCTS FOR GERMANY
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS: DUTCH SHELL HEAD TO BUY DUTCH FARM PRODUCTS FOR GERMANY: Wednesday 30 December 1936
DUTCH SHELL HEAD TO BUY DUTCH FARM PRODUCTS FOR GERMANY
The rise of a new agrarian party in the Netherlands, dominated by Sir Henri Deterding, may result from the oil magnate’s large-scale purchases of Dutch farm products for Germany, officials here said today.
Another result may be preferential treatment for Sir Henri’s oil interests in a grateful Germany, these authorities indicated.
Sir Henri, chairman of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, a Hollander recently married to a German woman, yesterday announced he was making available 10,000,000 guilders (about $5,400,000) to buy products of Dutch farms – which have had a hard time finding markets- for shipment to Germany, where shortage of foodstuffs is a serious problem.
Deterding £1,000,000 donation to Nazi Germany
The Manchester Guardian Tuesday 29 December 1936 Page 9
Extract
£1,000.000 TO BUY FOOD
Helping Germany
SIR H. DETERDING PROVIDES MONEY
The report is published in the official Nazi newspaper “Angriff,” under the headline “Deterding Plans Gigantic Gift of Foodstuff for the “Winter Help.”
£1,100,000 Gift to Germany FOR FOOD PURCHASE
The Scotsman – Tuesday, 29 December 1936, Page 9
News Reports of Sir Henri Deterding Food Donations to Nazi Germany
The Scotsman: £1,100,000 Gift to Germany FOR FOOD PURCHASE: 28 December 1936 (Contains confirmation of the report of the gift)
The Nation: Dutch State and literary newspaper: Sir Henri Deterding and the Dutch agriculture: Purchase for Germany: 28 December 1936
The Manchester Guardian: £1,000,000 TO BUT FOOD: Helping Germany: SIR H. DETERDING PROVIDES MONEY: Tuesday 29 December 1936
Extract
£1,000.000 TO BUY FOOD
Helping Germany
SIR H. DETERDING PROVIDES MONEY
The report is published in the official Nazi newspaper “Angriff,” under the headline “Deterding Plans Gigantic Gift of Foodstuff for the “Winter Help.”
Deterding to Resign As Royal Dutch Head
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, TUESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 27, 1936 Page 2
Deterding to Resign As Royal Dutch Head
THE HAGUE, Holland, Oct, 26 (UP)–Sir Henry Deterding intends to resign as director general of the Royal Dutch Petroleum company, it was announced Monday. He will be succeeded by Dr. J.E.F. De Kok, now managing director of the Batavia Petroleum company.
Sir Henri Deterding, Oil King, To Resign
Daily Express: Sir Henri Deterding, Oil King, To Resign: Front Page: 26 October 1936
Sir Henri, himself a mystery man, has chosen another mystery man to succeed him…
Napoleonic Audacity
He became Director-General of the Royal Dutch company…
Sir Henri, who retains his seat on the board, is 70, Dutch born and a naturalised Englishman.
SIR HENRI DETERDING 1936
SIR HENRI DETERDING 1936
Sir Henri Deterding 1936
SIR HENRI DETERDING IN 1936
1936: Wilheim Rudeloff, Chairman of Shell in Germany and right, Sir Henri Deterding, founder of Royal Dutch Shell Group
1936: Wilhelm Rudeloff, Chairman of Shell in Germany (Rhenania-Ossag) and right, Sir Henri Deterding, founder of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Both Nazi supporters.
Europe’s Oil Napoleon Seen Winner Over U.S. Rivals For World Trade As Ethiopian Concession Fades
Meriden Record: Europe’s Oil Napoleon Seen Winner Over U.S. Rivals For World Trade As Ethiopian Concession Fades: 13 September 1935
Article about Sir Henry Deterding “strong man of the billion dollar Royal Dutch Shell corporation…”
EXTRACT
Enjoys Nazi Monopoly
Thus, when his American oil rivals invaded Europe, and brought much of their supplies from Soviet Russia, Sir Henri opened up a broadside denouncing the U.S. interests for buying “immoral” products. Critics point out that the huge importations of Soviet oil and byproducts by Germany before Hitler’s rise to power have been curtailed and that Sir Henri now enjoys a monopoly in the Nazi state.
It explains why Royal Dutch Shell shares are comparatively stable after several startling slumps in the past, London financial figures declare. Though it has been revealed that many of the sober Dutch investors who own almost half of Royal Dutch Shell shares would be far happier if Sir Henri meddled less in international affairs and more with looking after the oil domain that radiates from the modest headquarters situated at The Hague, Holland’s capital.
SIR HENRI DETERDING VISIT TO NAZI GERMANY IN FEBRUARY 1935
THE TITUSVILLE (PA.) HERALD: MONDAY FEBRUARY 11, 1935
Extract
Rumors have circulated repeatedly during past months that Sir Henri Deterding, president of the Dutch company, is angling for a slice in the proposed monopoly.
“Although great secrecy obtains,” said am official of questioned authority today, “it seems obvious that Deterding tried to come to some agreement concerning the position of Shell oil in Germany during his visit here this week.” “At all events the Shell people are not at all worried about their German market. They appear to have a special concession already at their command and competitors are extremely worried.”
Sidelights On Foreign Affairs
The Port Arthur News Editorial Page
January 13, 1935 Page 4
Sidelights On Foreign Affairs
Copyright, 1934 McGlure Newspaper Syndicate
Extract
Berlin insiders say that Sir Henry Deterding, of the Shell Oil combine, was in the capital incognito recently and offered the German government a 250 million dollar credit for oil purchases, over several years. The news leaked out and both the Dutch and the British governments have sat on the scheme—hard. It goes to show what the wily Anglo-Dutchman and his friends think of the dangers of the I.,G. Farben engineers experimenting further with synthetic gas.
Petrol Monopoly
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser: 15 December 1934 Page 2
PETROL MONOPOLY
May Be Purchased From Germany
Berlin, Dec. 11.
The recent visit of Sir Henry Deterding to Berlin is associated with a rumour that the Royal Dutch has combined with the Shell Company and offered the German Government a loan of 400,00,000 Dutch guilders.
The report states the loan will be advanced, sixty per cent in cash and 40 per cent in petrol and raw material.
Confirmation of the deal, hitherto, is unavailable.–Reuter Wireless.
Berlin. Dec. 12.
Following the denial of a report that the Royal Dutch had offered a loan to Germany. It is now alleged that an Anglo-Dutch-American group have proposed to pay 1,500,000,000 marks in three instalments for a thirty years monopoly of petrol in Germany.
The Second World War by Johannes Steel
THE DAILY GLEANER. The Second World War by Johannes Steel: Thursday 8 November 1934
Extracts from the above article…
Nazi foreign policy as a whole is based upon the plans of Alfred Rosenberg now the head of the Foreign Office of the National Socialist Party.
As far back as 1926, Rosenberg through his secretary, Dr George Bell, a Scotchman naturalised in Germany, established contact with Sir Henri Deterding, the British oil magnate. He informed Sir Henri of the foreign political programme which the National Socialists intended to pursue when they achieved power.
Sir Henri Deterding of Royal Dutch Shell 4 day meeting with Hitler
THE DAILY GLEANER, MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1934 (Page 6 World News)
Reich Oil Monopoly Sought By Deterding
LONDON, Oct. 25.-It is reported confidentially from Berlin that the object of Sir Henry Deterding’s recent visit to Chancellor Hitler at Berchtesgaden, where he stayed for four days, was to discuss the conditions for granting a monopoly to the Royal Dutch and Shell Companies of petrol distribution in Germany for a long period of years. Chancellor Hitler’s terms were unsatisfactory and the negotiations have broken down temporarily. Three conditions advanced by the Germans were”
First-The companies were to supply oil on credit for the first year.
REICH OIL MONOPOLY SOUGHT BY DETERDING
Deterding 4 day meeting with Hitler in Berchtesgaden
The Montreal Gazette 26 October 1934 Page 2
EXPLAINS SILVER EXODUS
EL PASO HERALD-POST Saturday, Aug. 25, 1934 Page 9
By United Press
NEW YORK. Aug. 25.–Sir Henri Deterding, managing Director of the Royal Dutch-Shell oil companies, cleared up one mystery of the financial world today when he disclosed that a major portion of the silver exodus from China resulted from the operations of his companies.
Ex-Nazi Member ‘Opens’ Mystery of Hitler Finances
STEVENS POINT DAILY JOURNAL: Ex-Nazi Member ‘Opens’ Mystery of Hitler Finances: Friday, 1 December 1933 Page Four
Extracts
The book “Hitler as Frankenstein,” recently published by Wisbart & Co., and written by Johannes Steel, a former member of the nazi movement, although apparently not in the uniformed branch, contains some extraordinary facts about nazi financing – if facts they are. If they are not, they ought to be proven untrue by those against whom the charges are made.
Great Britain is listed in the book as one of the most productive fields for the hitlerites’ money-collecting activities. The main contributor appears to have been Sir Henri Deterding, the untiring advocate and organizer of foreign action against Soviet Russia. The nazi emissary Alfred Rosenberg persuaded him that the nazis would help him to important concessions in Ukraine.
J. P. Morgan Denies Giving Any Sums to Nazis. Accused With Others In Book by a German
THE DAILY GLEANER , SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1933 PAGE 29
THE DAILY GLEANER , SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1933 PAGE 29
Soviet Paper In Bid for U.S. Trade
The Border Cities Star: Soviet Paper In Bid for U.S. Trade: 3 April 1933 Page 16
Soviet Paper In Bid for U.S. Trade
The Border Cities Star: Soviet Paper In Bid for U.S. Trade: 3 April 1933 Page 16
OIL KING HENRI DETERDING BLAMES SOVIET FOR SHARE SLUMP
The Daily Mirror: Friday, April 22, 1932
OIL KING BLAMES SOVIET FOR SHARE SLUMP
Russian Bid to Defeat Royal Dutch Group Causes Flood of Selling
Extract
Sir Henri Deterding, head of the Royal Dutch group, told the Daily Mirror last night that the slump was a cunningly organised attempt by Soviet Russia to smash the company and capture the world oil markets.
CLICK ON EACH IMAGE TO ENLARGE THAT IMAGE
OIL KING BLAMES SOVIET FOR SHARE SLUMP
Daily Mirror: OIL KING BLAMES SOVIET FOR SHARE SLUMP: 22 April 1932 Page 3
The above is just the lead in to a major article, accessible via the link provided.
Extracts:
Russian Bid to Defeat Royal Dutch Group Causes Flood of Selling
Sir Henri Deterding, head of the Royal Dutch group, told the Daily Mirror last night that the slump was a cunning organised attempt by Soviet Russia to smash the company and capture the world oil markets.
The Royal Dutch Shell group, the shares of which have suffered so severely, in addition to general troubles of the industry, have had other difficulties to face.
NEW ATTACK ON SIR H. DETERDING
Daily Express: NEW ATTACK ON SIR H. DETERDING: 16 April 1932
Extracts:
I had shown Sir Henri Deterding head of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, a translation of a vigorous attack on him published in Paris today in “Forces,” the financial newspaper…
Now “Forces,” reprinting the exclusive interview published last Monday in the “Daily Express,” accuses Sir Henri of being an enemy of France, of withholding vital statements of his companies investments and of secret dealings…
England Is Aroused At Counter-Soviet Charges In Moscow
Hamilton Evening Journal: Wednesday, November 12, 1930 Hamilton, Ohio: Front page
(Associated Press)
London, Nov. 12.–Soviet indictments of eight prominent Russians for alleged counter-revolutionary plotting with British and French government figures were believed to be a form of domestic propaganda, not to be taken seriously abroad.
Mild amusement was the reaction in authoritative London circles. Sir Henry Deterding, international oil leader. who was one of the men accused by the Moscow prosecutor, N. V. Krylenko of plotting the overthrow of the Moscow regime, laughed outright.
Oil painting of Sir Henri Deterding, DG of the Royal Dutch Shell Group
Oil painting of Sir Henri Deterding, controversial leader of Royal Dutch Shell
MYSTERY DOCUMENT IN GERMAN FORGERY TRIAL
Daily Express: MYSTERY DOCUMENT IN GERMAN FORGERY TRIAL: Page 3: 13 January 1930
EXTRACT
The second denial comes from Sir Henri Deterding, who is at present at St. Moritz. The oil magnate interviewed by telephone, declared that he had never heard of the conspiracy against Russia until he read reports of the trial in the German newspapers and found to his amazement that his name had been dragged into it. “The first I knew of this case was when I saw reports in certain of the German newspapers ,” Sir Henri said. “I was naturally astounded. I read the names of the accused and searched my mind in and out if I had ever met them. I can’t recall a single one. I am not connected with this case on any shape or form.”
Royal Dutch Shell conspired directly with Hitler, financed the Nazi Party, was anti-Semitic and sold out its own Dutch Jewish employees to the Nazis. Shell had a close relationship with the Nazis during and after the reign of Sir Henri Deterding, an ardent Nazi, and the founder and decades long leader of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. His burial ceremony, which had all the trappings of a state funeral, was held at his private estate in Mecklenburg, Germany. The spectacle (photographs below) included a funeral procession led by a horse drawn funeral hearse with senior Nazis officials and senior Royal Dutch Shell directors in attendance, Nazi salutes at the graveside, swastika banners on display and wreaths and personal tributes from Adolf Hitler and Reichsmarschall, Hermann Goring. Deterding was an honored associate and supporter of Hitler and a personal friend of Goring.
Deterding was the guest of Hitler during a four day summit meeting at Berchtesgaden. Sir Henri and Hitler both had ambitions on Russian oil fields. Only an honored personal guest would be rewarded with a private four day meeting at Hitler’s mountain top retreat.
IN JULY 2007, MR BILL CAMPBELL (ABOVE, A RETIRED GROUP AUDITOR OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL SENT AN EMAIL TO EVERY UK MP AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS: 
MORE DETAILS:
A head-cut image of Alfred Donovan (now deceased) appears courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.
