Begleitkommando hitler biography

German SS officer

Bruno Gesche (5 November 1905 – 7 August 1982) rose to the rank of Obersturmbannführer (lieutenant colonel equivalent) in the SS in Nazi Germany. He was a member of Adolf Hitler's entourage and the fourth commander of Hitler's personal bodyguard (originally known as the SS-Begleitkommando des Führers, later known as Führerbegleitkommando) for the periods June 1934 – April 1942 and December 1942 – December 1944.

Early career

Gesche's aspirations for a career in the German military as an officer were effectively ended by the limitations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles on the post-First World War national defence force, the Reichswehr and his limited education. Gesche joined what was then a fringe political movement, the NSDAP (Nazi Party), and its paramilitary wing, the Sturmabteilung (SA) in 1922. Although Gesche's association with the Nazi movement cost him his job at a bank in 1923, his status within the Nazi Party as an Alte Kämpfer (NSDAP Member No. 8592) proved to be a tremendous asset to him during the better part of the subsequent two and a half decades. In 1927 Gesche left the SA to join what was then its subordinate branch, the Schutzstaffel (SS Member No. 1093). The SS, as in its earlier incarnations, the Stabswache and Stoßtrupp-Hitler, functioned as Adolf Hitler's bodyguard unit.

SS-Begleitkommando des Führers

On 29 February 1932, with the advice of Reichsführer-SSHeinrich Himmler, Hitler chose eight from a prospective twelve SS men presented by Sepp Dietrich, to serve as his personal bodyguard, the SS-Begleitkommando des Führers. One of the handpicked men was Bruno Gesche. Not long after the unit's creation, Gesche managed to draw the ire of Himmler To Himmler's consternation, Hitler's fondness for Gesche stemming from their days as old guard comrades would define Gesche's fate for practically the duration of Nazi Germany.

Conflicts with Himmler

The first incide

SS bodyguard unit for Adolf Hitler

Military unit

SS-Begleitkommando des Führers ("SS Escort Command of the Führer"; SS-BKdF), later known as the Führerbegleitkommando ("Führer Escort Command"; FBK), was originally an eight-man SS squad formed from a twelve-man security squad (known as the SS-Begleitkommando) tasked with protecting the life of Adolf Hitler during the early 1930s. Another bodyguard unit, the Reichssicherheitsdienst (Reich Security Service; RSD) was formed in 1933, and by the following year replaced the FBK in providing Hitler's overall security throughout Germany. The FBK continued under separate command from the RSD and provided close, personal security for Hitler. The two units worked together for Hitler's security and protection, especially during trips and public events, though they operated at such events as separate groups and used separate vehicles. When the FBK unit was expanded, the additional officers and men were selected from the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH). The majority of these additional men were used by Hitler as guards for his residences while uninhabited and as orderlies, valets, waiters, and couriers.

The FBK accompanied Hitler on all his travels and was always present at the different Führerhauptquartiere (Führer Headquarters; FHQ) throughout World War II. When on duty, the FBK members were the only armed personnel Hitler allowed to be near him. The unit remained responsible for Hitler's personal protection until his suicide in Berlin on 30 April 1945.

Service history

The SS-Begleitkommando was formed on 29 February 1932 to provide general protection to Hitler and other party function