Lothar von Trotha
Lothar von Trotha was an Imperial German general notorious for attempts to exterminate the Herero and the Nama, two ethnic groups in Namibia.
| “ | The Herero nation must now leave the country. If it refuses, I shall compel it to do so using cannons. Any Herero found inside the German frontier, with or without a gun, with or without cattle, will be executed. I shall spare neither women nor children. I shall give the order to drive them away and fire on them. Such are my words to the Herero people. | „ |
| ~ von Trotha's extermination order |
Early Life
Von Trotha was born in Magdeburg on July 3, 1848.
Career Before the Genocide
He joined the Prussian army in 1865, and served with distinction in the Austro-Prussian war a year later.