Lothar Witzke
Lothar Witzke | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 15, 1895 |
| Died | January 6, 1962 (aged 66) |
| Resting place | Friedhof Hamburg-Ohlsdorf 0030 |
| Nationality | German |
| Known for | Black Tom Explosion |
| Political party | German Party |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Conviction | Espionage |
| Criminal penalty | Death; commuted to life imprisonment |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | German Empire |
| Branch | Imperial German Navy, Abwehr |
| Years of service | c.1912- |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Battles / wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Iron Cross (first and second class) |
Lothar Witzke (May 15, 1895 – January 6, 1962) was a junior officer in the German Imperial Navy, who, after escaping from internment in neutral Chile, became an Officer of Naval Intelligence spy and saboteur on active service in the United States and Mexico during the First World War.
Arrested in 1918, Witzke was sentenced to death, but his life was saved by the Armistice of 11 November 1918. In 1923, he was pardoned and released. During the Second World War he served in the Abwehr.