During the 1930s, sport played a big role in Nazi propaganda. Adolf Hitler did not hesitate to rely on disciplines representing the courage, self-sacrifice and power of the Third Reich, such as rugby, athletics or mountaineering. Of course, motor sports are no exception. Thus, all German pilots – under the Nazi banner – are used for the benefit of the regime. Hermann Paul Müller was part of this squadron. Here is his story.
Born in 1909 in the Kingdom of Prussia, Hermann first became interested in sidecars a little before he was twenty. He won the national championship in the discipline in 1931, with a 600cc Victoria. Auto-Union (consortium of four German firms) offered him, in 1935, a DKW equipped for the 500cc category. With this machine, Müller also won on two wheels in the national championship.
His ability to adapt is simply impressive. Behind Auto Union's sporting commitments lies the NSKK (for National Socialist Kraftfahrkorps, or National Socialist Transport Corps), led by Adolf Hühnlein. The idea of the regime was simple: provide two firms with almost unlimited resources – Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union – in order to dominate the prestigious European Drivers' Championship.. Problem: this competition takes place on four wheels.
HP Müller. Photo: Audi Mediacenter.
Indeed, this championship overseen by the AIACR (International Association of Recognized Automobile Clubs, the ancestor of the International Automobile Federation) is the equivalent of current Formula 1. The Nazis therefore set out to crush all competition in order to prove their superiority. The two state-funded firms do not skimp on recruitment. The superstars Rudolf Caracciola, Hermann Lang, Bernd Rosemeyer and the Italian Luigi Fagioli are hired to shine the colors of the swastika flag.
Auto Union, looking for a reserve driver for 1937, was interested in Hermann Paul Müller. After a decent year, he became a starter and fought with the big names. In 1939, he even won the French Grand Prix, and finished as European drivers' champion! This is his third major victory in three distinct disciplines. Unfortunately for him, his title was never awarded to him due to the outbreak of World War II.
Like many of his compatriots, Hermann was conscripted. He is a lieutenant in the Luftwaffe and works in an engine factory in Łódź, in present-day Poland, without ever participating head-on in combat. When the regime collapsed, the champion was taken prisoner by the Soviets. Müller has no choice but to carry out forced labor – logging – in Chemnitz.
Müller, in his Auto-Union, in front of the legend Philippe Étancelin. Photo: Le Figaro
Then came his release in 1946. Penniless, he returns to live with his parents, farmers, not far from Bielefeld. At a private home, he spotted a motorcycle: a DKW 250 SS, which had survived the war hidden in a cellar, snuggled up in wool blankets. In these precarious times, he proposes a bold exchange. The machine for a bag of flour, twelve pounds of lentils and a slice of bacon. Deal done.
The same year, he enrolled in Grand Prix of Brunswick (organized on a highway with the means at hand) but was forced to abandon. However, he is regaining his taste for competition despite his 37 years. Assisted by his wife in the pits, he won the German 250cc championship in 1947 and 1948; it is the resurrection. Ironically, he was hired again by the DKW factory, as in 1935. “Happi” did it again in 1951, winning in 125cc, again at the national level.
These excellent results are the gateway to the recent motorcycling world championship (1949), first with private machines. Mondial, Horex or MV Agusta, then with NSU. The German firm, founded in 1873, is one of the country's institutions. Müller was therefore naturally selected in order to get a foothold in the world of competition. In 1954, the team scored a hat-trick in 250cc but our thief was only third, behind Werner Haas and Rupert Hollaus. Same result in 125cc.
Haas having left the world of competition, HP Müller remained the only important representative of NSU in quarter-litre racing for 1955. The incredible happened. He won the German Grand Prix and became world champion at 45 years and 287 days! This record has never been broken since (and it's not likely to happen any time soon).
Retirement age has come. After going through so many trials, “Happi” ended his career not without moving away from the engines. Indeed, he set a record on the Bonneville salt lake a year later and will remain forever linked to Auto Union, for whom he will work long after. This man with an incredible destiny left us in 1975, aged 66.
An NSU from 1955. Photo: Joachim Kohler
This should make us think about the scope of sports. Indeed, it is a very particular domain, beyond time and conflicts. As proof, in the 1950s, you could find an ex-Nazi riding alongside a former British resistance fighter and spy in the person of Fergus Anderson, whose name was mentioned in Adolf Hitler's “black book”. This is the beauty of sport; in these difficult times, preserving it in all circumstances must remain a primary issue.
Cover photo: Audi Media Center
