| − | '''Heinrich Himmler''' (1900-1945), was a [[German]] [[Nazi]] Party leader, head of the Schutzstaffel (Protective squadron; [[SS]]) and of the dreaded [[Gestapo]] (Secret state police). Starting from a junior position in the SS, by 1941 he was the second most powerful Nazi and designed many of the [[National Socialist]] programs. His loyalty to [[Adolf Hitler]] (until near the end), combined with his organizational skills, ambition, and his sadistic nature, made him one of the most notorious [[war criminal]]s of [[World War II]]. As chief of police for all of [[Germany]], Himmler was responsible for establishing [[concentration camp]]s and death camps. Himmler oversaw the [[Holocaust]], the mass murder of 6 million [[Jew]]s. During the war he built up the military strength of his SS, which became a de facto fourth branch of the German [[military]]. After Hitler dismissed him from all his offices in April 1945, Himmler was captured at war's end by the [[British]] Army. However, he committed suicide before the Allies could put him on trial for war crimes at the [[Nuremberg Trials]]. | + | '''Heinrich Himmler''' (1900-1945), was a [[German]] [[Nazi Party]] leader, head of the Schutzstaffel (Protective squadron; [[SS]]) and of the dreaded [[Gestapo]] (Secret state police). Starting from a junior position in the SS, by 1941 he was the second most powerful Nazi and designed many of the [[National Socialist]] programs. His loyalty to [[Adolf Hitler]] (until near the end), combined with his organizational skills, ambition, and his sadistic nature, made him one of the most notorious [[war criminal]]s of [[World War II]]. As chief of police for all of [[Germany]], Himmler was responsible for establishing [[concentration camp]]s and death camps. Himmler oversaw the [[Holocaust]], the mass murder of 6 million [[Jew]]s. During the war he built up the military strength of his SS, which became a de facto fourth branch of the German [[military]]. After Hitler dismissed him from all his offices in April 1945, Himmler was captured at war's end by the [[British]] Army. However, he committed suicide before the Allies could put him on trial for war crimes at the [[Nuremberg Trials]]. |