Rudolf Diels

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-K0108-0501-003, Rudolf Diels

Rudolf Diels (16 December 1900 – 18 November 1957) was a German government official best known for being the first head of the Gestapo, the secret state police of Nazi Germany. His role during the early years of Nazi rule was marked by his efforts to consolidate power for the Nazi Party and suppress opposition, utilizing the Gestapo as a key tool in this process. Despite his involvement in these oppressive activities, Diels' career during the Nazi era was complex, characterized by various political maneuvers and shifts in loyalty.

Early Life and Career

Rudolf Diels was born in Berghausen, a small town in the Rhineland region of Germany. He studied law at the University of Marburg and entered the civil service after completing his education. Diels joined the Prussian Ministry of the Interior in the early 1920s, where he began his career in the police department.

Rise to Power

With the rise of the Nazi Party to power in 1933, Diels found himself in a position to gain favor with the new regime. He was appointed as the head of the Gestapo by Hermann Göring, who was then the Minister President of Prussia. The Gestapo was initially a Prussian state agency before being extended to the entire Reich. Under Diels' leadership, the Gestapo was responsible for suppressing political opposition to the Nazis, targeting communists, social democrats, and other groups deemed a threat to Nazi rule.

Role in the Night of the Long Knives

Diels played a significant role in the events leading up to the Night of the Long Knives, a purge that took place in June 1934, during which the Nazi regime executed many of its political enemies, including members of its own paramilitary organization, the SA. Diels' knowledge of the SA's activities and its leaders' disloyalties to Hitler was instrumental in the planning and execution of the purge.

Later Career and World War II

Despite his early contributions to the consolidation of Nazi power, Diels fell out of favor with some of the regime's top officials. He was removed from his position as head of the Gestapo in 1934 and held various administrative roles in the years that followed. During World War II, Diels served in different capacities, including positions within the civil administration of occupied territories.

Post-War Life

After the war, Diels was detained by the Allies and testified at the Nuremberg Trials, where he provided evidence against former Nazi officials. He was not prosecuted as a war criminal and went on to write his memoirs, which offered a unique perspective on the inner workings of the Nazi regime and its leadership.

Death

Rudolf Diels died in a hunting accident on 18 November 1957.

Legacy

The legacy of Rudolf Diels is controversial. On one hand, he played a key role in the establishment and operation of the Gestapo, contributing to the persecution and suffering of countless individuals during the Nazi era. On the other hand, his later actions and testimony provided valuable insights into the functioning of the Nazi state and contributed to the historical understanding of this period.