Rattenhuber, Johann (1897-1957)

Rattenhuber, Johann

NAZI, OFFICER (GERMANY)

BORN 30 Apr 1897, Oberhaching, Bayern - DIED 30 Jun 1957, Grünwald, Bayern
GRAVE LOCATION München, Bayern: Ostfriedhof, St.-Martins-Platz 1 (090-7-25/26)

Johann Rattenhuber participated in the First World War and joined the Bavarian police in the 1920s. In 1933 he became the aide-de-camp of Heinrich Himmler, who headed the police in Munich. Himmler made him head of the Reichssicherheitsdienst that had to take care of Hitler's personal safety. He held this position until the end of the war and he accompanied Hitler to the Führerbunker and stayed there until the end.

After Hitler killed himself he led one of the groups that tried to escape from the bunker on 1 May 1945. He was captured by the Soviets and taken to Moscow. On 20 May 1945 he gave a detailed description of Hitler's last days in the bunker. He was a prisoner of war and in 1953 he was finally sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment. In 1955 he was released and sent to the authorities of the DDR, who allowed him to go to Western Germany. He died in 1957 in Grünwald.

Images

The grave of Johann Rattenhuber at the Ostfriedhof, Munich.
Picture by Androom (19 Jan 2004)