Siegfried Fehmer

Siegfried Wolfgang Fehmer (10 January 1911 – 16 March 1948) was a German Gestapo officer and SS Hauptsturmführer during World War II. He was stationed in Norway from 1940 - 1945, and by the end of the war had become head administrator of the Politische Abteilung in Norway. Along with Josef Terboven, Fehmer was considered one of the most despised members of the German occupation forces in Norway.

Career

Fehmer joined the Nazi Party in January 1930, and served in the Gestapo from 1934. He was sent to Norway in 1940 as part of the Nazi occupation force. There, he served with the Sicherheitsdienst intelligence service suppressing the Norwegian resistance. With a striking appearance and charm, Fehmer was perceived as a ladies man by his colleagues. Despite this outward appearance, Fehmer was ruthless, and did not hesitate to use Torture during interrogation of suspects. He has been described by his victims as capable of switching from using a friendly approach to sadistic torture in a heartbeat. The Norwegian resistance saw him as a severe threat. Several plans for his assassination were made, and Fehmer survived one such attack with several gunshot wounds to his chest.

At the end of the war, on 8 May 1945, Fehmer attempted to escape to Sweden, but was apprehended by British Military Intelligence agent John MacLean, assisted by Norwegian police officers, near the border. Throughout the war Fehmer had used his pet German shepherd to torture his victims, and MacLean realised that Fehmer would attempt to retrieve his dog before leaving Norway. MacLean discovered the location of the dog after interrogating Fehmer's associates, and waited there until Fehmer appeared. Fehmer was tried and convicted of War crimes, and sentenced to death by the Supreme Court of Norway. The sentence was carried out by firing squad at Akershus Fortress on 16 March 1948.