Oskar Dirlewanger

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-S73495, Oskar Dirlewanger

German military officer and war criminal (1895–1945)

Oskar Dirlewanger (26 September 1895 – 7 June 1945) was a German military officer and war criminal who served as the commander of the Dirlewanger Brigade, a unit of the Waffen-SS during World War II. He is infamous for his role in numerous war crimes and atrocities committed during the war.

Early life and career

Oskar Dirlewanger was born in Würzburg, German Empire, on 26 September 1895. He joined the German Army in 1913 and served during World War I, where he was awarded the Iron Cross for his service. After the war, he became involved in various Freikorps units and participated in the suppression of communist uprisings in Germany.

Spanish Civil War

In the late 1930s, Dirlewanger volunteered to fight in the Spanish Civil War on the side of the Nationalists under Francisco Franco. His experiences in Spain further shaped his brutal approach to warfare.

World War II

During World War II, Dirlewanger was given command of a penal unit composed of convicted criminals, known as the Dirlewanger Brigade. This unit was notorious for its extreme brutality and was involved in numerous war crimes and atrocities, particularly on the Eastern Front and during the suppression of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944.

Atrocities and war crimes

The Dirlewanger Brigade was responsible for some of the most heinous acts of violence during the war. They were involved in the massacre of civilians, rape, and looting in occupied territories. Their actions in the Warsaw Uprising were particularly brutal, leading to the deaths of thousands of civilians.

Death

Oskar Dirlewanger was captured by French forces in June 1945. He died under mysterious circumstances while in custody in Altshausen, Allied-occupied Germany, on 7 June 1945. The exact details of his death remain unclear, with some reports suggesting he was beaten to death by his captors.

Legacy

Dirlewanger's name has become synonymous with the extreme brutality and criminality of certain elements within the Waffen-SS. His actions during the war have been widely condemned, and he is remembered as one of the most notorious war criminals of World War II.

See also

• Dirlewanger Brigade
• Waffen-SS
• Warsaw Uprising
• War crimes