Herbert Kappler: Difference between revisions
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=== Freeing Mussolini === | === Freeing Mussolini === | ||
Thanks to some italian collaborations, he knew in advance of Mussolini's dismissal on 25 July 1943 and he was able to capture Galeazzio Ciano and Mafalda of Savoy. | Thanks to some italian collaborations, he knew in advance of Mussolini's dismissal on 25 July 1943 and he was able to capture Galeazzio Ciano and Mafalda of Savoy. | ||
[[File:Raid of the Gran Sasso.jpg|left|thumb|Mussolini with Nazi commander after the succesful end of the Operation Oak.]] | |||
Then, Kappler identified the place where Mussolini was held prisoner, in Campo Imperatore, and planned its release by direct order of Heinrich Himmler, even though Kappler defined fascism dead and he didn't wanted to re-establish a puppet fascist government. | Then, Kappler identified the place where Mussolini was held prisoner, in Campo Imperatore, and planned its release by direct order of Heinrich Himmler, even though Kappler defined fascism dead and he didn't wanted to re-establish a puppet fascist government. | ||
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=== The deportation of the Roman Jews === | === The deportation of the Roman Jews === | ||
[[File:Retaliation of Rome.jpg|left|thumb|313x313px|16th October 1943, Nazis deporting jews of Rome.]] | |||
On the afternoon of September 26, 1943, he summoned the President of the Jewish community of Rome, Foà, and the president of the Union of Italian Israelite Communities, Dante Almansi, to Villa Wolkonsky, ordering them the delivery of at least 50 kilograms of gold, threatening otherwise the deportation of two hundred Roman Jews to Germany. The gold was collected and delivered by 12,000 people. | On the afternoon of September 26, 1943, he summoned the President of the Jewish community of Rome, Foà, and the president of the Union of Italian Israelite Communities, Dante Almansi, to Villa Wolkonsky, ordering them the delivery of at least 50 kilograms of gold, threatening otherwise the deportation of two hundred Roman Jews to Germany. The gold was collected and delivered by 12,000 people. | ||
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=== The massacre of the Ardeatine === | === The massacre of the Ardeatine === | ||
[[File:Massacre of the Ardeatine.jpg|left|thumb|323x323px|24th March 1944, Nazis getting ready to execute 335 people.]] | |||
After the attack of the 23rd March 1944 at Rasella street, Kappler with the commisioner Pietro Caruso attended for the choice of some of the victims: mostly civilians and Jews were led by Erich Priebke and Karl Hass to the Fosse Ardeatine, shot in groups of five. At the end of the mass execution, the entrance to the quarries was detonated. 335 Italians were murdered. The 5 more were taken by mistake, but murdered all the same because they witnessed the massacre. | After the attack of the 23rd March 1944 at Rasella street, Kappler with the commisioner Pietro Caruso attended for the choice of some of the victims: mostly civilians and Jews were led by Erich Priebke and Karl Hass to the Fosse Ardeatine, shot in groups of five. At the end of the mass execution, the entrance to the quarries was detonated. 335 Italians were murdered. The 5 more were taken by mistake, but murdered all the same because they witnessed the massacre. | ||
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=== Capture and prison life === | === Capture and prison life === | ||
[[File:Kappler_on_trial.jpg|left|thumb| | [[File:Kappler_on_trial.jpg|left|thumb|258x258px|Herbert Kappler on trial during May 1948.]] | ||
Kappler was arrested by the Allies for his actions during his rule in Rome. Kappler stayed in prison, his wife divorced him and refused to have his children visit him. His only visitor was his old enemy Hugh O'Flaherty. The two started to become friends, where they discussing literature and religion. In 1959, a remorseful Kappler converted to the Catholic church thus ending his atheist beliefs. In 1972, Kappler later married a nurse named Anneliese Kappler. | Kappler was arrested by the Allies for his actions during his rule in Rome. Kappler stayed in prison, his wife divorced him and refused to have his children visit him. His only visitor was his old enemy Hugh O'Flaherty. The two started to become friends, where they discussing literature and religion. In 1959, a remorseful Kappler converted to the Catholic church thus ending his atheist beliefs. In 1972, Kappler later married a nurse named Anneliese Kappler. | ||
=== Death === | === Death === | ||
[[File:Old Kappler.jpg|thumb|194x194px|An old Herbert Kappler resting on his bed.]] | |||
In 1975, Kappler was diagnosed with terminal cancer. After Italy denied appeals to have him be with Anneliese at her home in Soltau (West Germany), she carried him out in a large suitcase and escaped to West Germany. The Italians demanded that Kappler is returned, but the West Germany authorities refused to extradite him. Six months after the escape, Herbert Kappler died in his wife's home on February 9th 1978. | In 1975, Kappler was diagnosed with terminal cancer. After Italy denied appeals to have him be with Anneliese at her home in Soltau (West Germany), she carried him out in a large suitcase and escaped to West Germany. The Italians demanded that Kappler is returned, but the West Germany authorities refused to extradite him. Six months after the escape, Herbert Kappler died in his wife's home on February 9th 1978. | ||