Reinhard Gehlen German military leader, major general Date of Birth: 03.04.1902 Country: Germany

1. Reinhar Gehlen: A Life in Intelligence
2. Early Life and Military Career
3. World War II and the Eastern Front
4. Hiding the Intelligence Archives
5. Capture and Collaboration
6. The "Gehlen Organization" and the BND
7. Legacy

Reinhar Gehlen: A Life in Intelligence

Reinhard Gehlen, a German general and military intelligence officer, played a pivotal role in the intelligence operations of the Wehrmacht during World War II and played a crucial role in the foundation of the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), Germany's federal intelligence agency.

Early Life and Military Career

Gehlen was born in 1902 to a bookstore owner and former officer. In 1920, he volunteered to join the Reichswehr and was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1923. He continued to rise through the ranks, becoming a commander in the 18th Artillery Regiment in 1938.

World War II and the Eastern Front

During the Polish Campaign, Gehlen served as a senior staff officer in the 213th Infantry Division and was subsequently transferred to the General Staff. In 1940, he became the adjutant to the Chief of the Army General Staff, General Franz Halder. He played a key role in planning Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.

In 1942, Gehlen was appointed head of the 12th Department of the General Staff, which focused on intelligence on the Red Army. Under his leadership, the department operated independently from other Nazi intelligence agencies, including the Abwehr and the Political Intelligence Service.

Hiding the Intelligence Archives

Towards the end of the war, Gehlen recognized the value of the intelligence his department had accumulated. In 1945, he ordered that all documents be microfilmed and hidden in waterproof containers in the Austrian Alps.

Capture and Collaboration

Gehlen was replaced as head of the 12th Department in April 1945. He surrendered to American forces in May and was interrogated by the US Army Counterintelligence Corps. Gehlen's extensive knowledge of the Soviet Union made him a valuable asset to the Americans, who supported his efforts to establish a new intelligence organization.

The "Gehlen Organization" and the BND

In 1946, Gehlen founded the "Gehlen Organization," a private intelligence service funded by the United States. In 1953, the organization was transferred to the control of the West German government and renamed the BND. Gehlen served as its first president until 1968.

Legacy

Reinhard Gehlen is remembered as a highly skilled and controversial intelligence officer. His actions during and after World War II have been the subject of debate and scrutiny. Nevertheless, his contributions to German intelligence and the foundation of the BND have had a lasting impact on the post-war security landscape.