Naumann Circle

The Naumann Circle (German: Naumann-Kreis), also sometimes referred to as the Gauleiter Circle or the Naumann Affair, was an organization of former German adherents of the Nazi Party that was formed in the German Federal Republic (West Germany) several years after the end of the Second World War. It was founded and led by Werner Naumann, the last State Secretary of the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda. Between 1951 and early 1953, the organization attempted to infiltrate the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and two smaller parties to lay the groundwork for a possible return to power. British security forces disrupted the cabal by arresting Naumann and several of his associates in early 1953. Turned over to West German authorities, the accused were investigated but the charges ultimately were dismissed by the criminal court due to insufficient evidence.