Curt von Gottberg

Curt von Gottberg
Curt von Gottberg (left) and Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski In Minsk, 1943.
Born(1896-02-11)11 February 1896
Preussisch Wilten (now Pravdinsky District), East Prussia, German Empire
Died31 May 1945(1945-05-31) (aged 49)
Flensburg, Allied-occupied Germany
AllegianceGerman Empire
Years of service1914–1918
UnitPrussian Army
AwardsIron Cross 2nd and 1st Class
Freikorps and SS career
Allegiance
BranchWaffen-SS
Years of service1919–1920
1933–1945
RankSS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS and Police
Service numberNSDAP #948,753
SS #45,923
UnitMarinebrigade Ehrhardt
CommandsHigher SS and Police Leader (HSSPF)
"Russland Mitte und Weissruthenien"
Kampfgruppe von Gottberg
XII SS Corps
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross
German Cross in Gold

Curt Gustav Friedrich Walther von Gottberg (11 February 1896 – 31 May 1945) was a high-ranking SS Obergruppenführer who served as Higher SS and Police Leader for central Russia and, from September 1943, as the Generalkommissar (Commissioner-General) of occupied Belarus, combining the highest civil and police powers in that jurisdiction during the Second World War.

Gottberg personally ordered many war crimes and commanded units that committed atrocities against the civilian population of occupied territories. After the end of the war, he was arrested and committed suicide while in custody.