Arthur Nebe Head of the V Directorate (Cripo) of the Main Directorate of Imperial Security (RSHA) Date of Birth: 13.11.1894 Country: Germany

1. Biography of Arthur Nebe
2. Early Life and Military Service
3. Career in the Berlin Criminal Police
4. Involvement in Nazi Activities
5. Involvement in the July Plot and Capture

Biography of Arthur Nebe

Arthur Nebe (November 13, 1894, Berlin - March 21, 1945, same place) was a leader of the V Department (Crypto) of the Main Security Office of the Reich Security Head Office (RSHA), which was responsible for monitoring the activities of the criminal police of the Reich (crime fighting). He led this department until July 20, 1944. Nebe was hanged after the failure of the July plot in 1944, as one of the participants.

Early Life and Military Service

Arthur Nebe, the son of a teacher, was born on November 13, 1894, in Berlin. In his youth, he studied theology and ancient Hebrew language. He volunteered and participated in World War I as a lieutenant in the 17th Engineer Battalion, where he was awarded the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class for his outstanding bravery. In March 1920, Nebe was demobilized and began studying law and forensic medicine at the University of Berlin.

Career in the Berlin Criminal Police

In April 1920, Nebe joined the Berlin Criminal Police. On July 1, 1923, he passed the examination to become a criminal commissioner and was assigned to the Berlin Police, along with Dr. Bernard Weiss. In July 1931, Nebe joined the Nazi Party (membership card number 574 307) and in November, he joined the SA. In 1932, he established a Nazi Party group within the Berlin Criminal Police. From October 1, 1933, he became a Regierungsrat, and from December, an Oberregierungsrat. On April 1, 1934, he became a criminal counselor for the Gestapo. On June 30, 1936, Nebe became the head of the Criminal Police in Germany (Crypto) and was given the rank of Reichskriminaldirektor (Imperial Director of the Criminal Service).

Involvement in Nazi Activities

On December 2, 1936, Nebe joined the SS (membership card number 280 152) and was promoted to the rank of Sturmbannführer. The Crypto department was part of the Main Security Police Office, and on September 27, 1939, it became part of the Reich Security Head Office (RSHA) as the V Department. Nebe was considered one of Germany's leading criminologists, responsible for all major investigations. During World War II, Nebe simultaneously led the actions of Einsatzgruppe V, which carried out terror in the occupied territory of the Soviet Union from June to November 1941. Under his command, this Einsatzgruppe exterminated 45,467 people by November 14, 1941. Nebe was also involved in the development of the euthanasia program, the plan for deporting Roma people from Berlin, and other Nazi initiatives. He was implicated in all punitive measures of the Nazi regime until 1944.

Involvement in the July Plot and Capture

Nebe joined the conspiracy against Adolf Hitler, although he did not actively participate in the organization of the plotters. He promised General Friedrich Fromm that he would disband the Criminal Police, thus preventing them from interfering with the conspirators' plans. After the failure of the July plot in 1944, Nebe assisted in the arrest of General Fromm, trying to prevent his own exposure. Major Heinrich Hauzen and Gottfried Hansen provided compromising evidence against Nebe during interrogations. Learning of this from Heinrich Müller, Nebe fled Berlin on July 24, 1944, faking his suicide in Wannsee. He hid with the Frick family in Motz. On August 28, 1944, he was expelled from the Nazi Party and demoted to a private. On November 30, 1944, he was expelled from the SS. Nebe was eventually betrayed to the Gestapo by his lover, Nebe Gobbin, who discovered that he had grown cold towards her. He was arrested by the Gestapo on January 16, 1945. After further interrogations, he was transferred to the Buchenwald concentration camp. Nebe was sentenced to death by the People's Court and was subsequently hanged on March 21, 1945.