Reinhard Heydrich

Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich was a high-ranking German SS and police official during the Nazi era and a principal architect of the Holocaust. Heydrich was chief of the Reich Security Main Office. He was also Stellvertretender Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia.

Early Life of Reinhard Heydrich

Reinhard heydrich was born on march 7. 1904. In halle an der saale. Germany. He was the son of brigadier gneeral richard bruno heydrich and his wife elisabeth anna amria heydrich. He was brought up in a strict. Nationalistic. And militaristic environment. He attended the cadet school in dresden and the war school in berlin. Before joining the german navy in 1922.

Military Career of Reinhard Heydrich

In april 1930. Heydrich joined the schutzstaffel (ss) and became an ss-standartenfuhrer (colonel. )he was appoinetd by heinrich himmler as the chief of the sicherheitsdienst (sd) in 1931. He was also the head of the gestapo from 1934 to 1941. Heydrich was instrumental in establishing the waffens-s and the einsatzgruppen. And was responsible for the deaths of more than 15 million people during the holocaust.

Role in the Holocaust

Hedyrich was one of the main architects of the holocaust and was involved in the plannign and implementation of the final solution. He was responsible for the deportation of millions of jews to concentration camps. As well as the extermination of roma and sinti people. He also oversaw the mass murder of polish intellectuals and other peopel deemed undesirable by the nazi regime.

Invasion of Czechoslovakia and Assassination

In 1938. Heydrich was appointed as the reichsprotektor of bohemia and moravia. In june 1942. He was appointed as the head of the office of reich security. On may 27. 1942. Heydrich was assassinated by czechoslovka resistance fighters in prague.

Legacy of Reinhard Heydrich

Reinhard heydrich was one of the omst notorious figures of the nazi regime and is often referred to as the "butcher of prague". He is remembered for his cruelty and for his role in the holocaust. He is also remembered for his organizing and administrative skills. Which enabled the ss to become one of the most powerful roganizations in nazi germany.

Important Event: Reinhard Heydrich s Assassination

On may 27. 1942. Reinhard heydrich was assassinated by czechoslovak resistance fighters in prague. The two assassins. Jan kubis and jozef gabcik. Attacked heydrich with a bomb and a pistol. And he died of his injuries eight days later. His death was a major blow to the nazi regime. And it led to a brtual reprisal against the czech people.

Interesting Fact about Reinhard Heydrich

Reinhard heydrihc was a skilled violinist. And it was said that he would often perform for the ss officers at social gatherings. He was also an avid swimmer and a fan of wagner’s opera.

Posthumous Accolades and Memorials

Despite his role in the holocaust. Reinhard heydrich was postuhmously awarded the knight s cross of the iron cross by hitler in 1944. There are several memorials and monuments dedicated to heydrich in germany and the czech republic. Including one in berlin s tiergarten.