Reinhard Heydrich

Early Life

Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich was born in 1904 in Halle an der Saale to composer and opera singer Richard Bruno Heydrich and his wife, Elisabeth Anna Maria Amalia Krantz. The Heydrichs were a well-to-do family, with Bruno's music earning them a comfortable lifestyle. Reinhard was brought up in a strict household, with a focus on education and discipline. He showed an early interest in music, like his father, and was a talented violinist.

Military Career

In 1922, Heydrich joined the Reichsmarine, the naval branch of the Weimar Republic's armed forces. He served on the SMS Schleswig-Holstein and quickly rose through the ranks due to his dedication and discipline. However, his naval career was cut short in 1931 due to a scandal involving a woman to whom he was engaged while also having a relationship with another woman.

A black and white photograph of a young Reinhard Heydrich in his German Navy uniform.

Involvement with the Nazi Party

After his dismissal from the navy, Heydrich joined the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) and the SS, where he quickly gained the attention of Heinrich Himmler. Himmler appointed him head of the newly created Sicherheitsdienst (SD), the intelligence agency of the SS and the Nazi Party. Under Heydrich's leadership, the SD became one of the most feared organizations in Nazi Germany.

Role in the Holocaust

Heydrich played a key role in the planning and execution of the Final Solution, the Nazis' plan to exterminate the Jewish people. He chaired the Wannsee Conference in 1942, where the Final Solution was formally presented and discussed. Heydrich's role in the Holocaust marked him as one of the main architects of this horrific event.

Assassination

In 1942, Heydrich was assassinated in Prague by Czechoslovak soldiers trained by the British SOE. The assassination, known as Operation Anthropoid, was one of the most significant acts of resistance during World War II.

Legacy

Heydrich's legacy is one of terror and destruction. He was one of the main architects of the Holocaust and was responsible for countless deaths. His assassination marked a turning point in World War II and showed that the Nazis were not invincible.