Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski
Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski | |
|---|---|
Bach-Zelewski in 1944 | |
| Higher SS and Police Leader, Central Russia | |
| In office 22 June 1941 – 21 June 1944 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Curt von Gottberg (as HSSPF Rußland-Mitte und Weißruthenien) |
| Higher SS and Police Leader, Wehrkreis VIII | |
| In office 28 June 1938 – 20 May 1941 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Ernst-Heinrich Schmauser |
| Member of the Reichstag | |
| In office August 1932 – May 1945 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Erich Julius Eberhard von Zelewski 1 March 1899 Lauenburg, Province of Pomerania, German Empire |
| Died | 8 March 1972 (aged 73) Harlaching Hospital, Munich, Bavaria, West Germany |
| Political party | Nazi Party |
| Spouse |
Ruth Apfeld (m. 1922) |
| Children | 6 |
| Parent(s) | Otto Johannes von Zelewski Amalia Maria Eveline |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch/service | |
| Years of service | 1914–1945 |
| Rank | SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS and Police |
| Commands | Higher SS and Police Leader (HSSPF), Wehrkreis VIII HSSPF, Army Group Centre Rear Area Bandenbekämpfung Chief for occupied Europe XIV SS Corps X SS Corps |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross German Cross in Gold |
Erich Julius Eberhard von dem Bach-Zelewski (born Erich Julius Eberhard von Zelewski; 1 March 1899 – 8 March 1972) was a German politician, military officer and high-ranking SS commander. During World War II, he was in charge of the Nazi security warfare against those designated by the regime as ideological enemies and any other persons deemed to present danger to the Nazi rule or Wehrmacht's rear security in the occupied territories of Eastern Europe. It mostly involved atrocities against the civilian population. In 1944, he led the brutal suppression of the Warsaw Uprising. Despite his responsibility for numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity, Bach-Zelewski did not stand trial in the Nuremberg trials, and instead appeared as a witness for the prosecution. He was later convicted for politically motivated murders committed in Germany before the war and died in prison in 1972.