ABSTRACT
Zangen, Wilhelm (1891-1971) Leading German industrialist and head of the Reichsgruppe Industrie (German industry Association) after 1938, Wilhelm Zangen was born in Duisburg on 30 September 1891. An excellent businessman and first-class technician, Zangen had already reached positions of high responsibility in his late thirties. A member of the NSDAP from 1937 and of the SS as well as of the German Law Academy, Zangen held the title of War Economy Leader under the Third Reich and from December 1934 until 1957 he was Chairman of the Board of the Mannesmann tube rolling mills in Düsseldorf. General Director of the Mannesmann concern, which employed slave labour during World War II, he became head of the German Industry Association in 1938 and was also Vice-President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Düsseldorf and deputy head of the Reich Economic Chamber in Berlin. Zangen's directorships included AEG, the Deutsche Bank, Kronprinz AG of the metal industry in Solingen-Ohligs and the machine factory Meer AG in München-Gladbach. From 1957 to 1966 Zangen was Chairman of the Aufsichtsrat (Board) at Mannesmann. He died in Düsseldorf on 25 November 1971.
