Herbert Kappler
Herbert Kappler | |
|---|---|
Kappler in custody, 1946 | |
| Born | 23 September 1907 Stuttgart, Kingdom of Württemberg, German Empire |
| Died | 9 February 1978 (aged 70) Soltau, Lower Saxony, West Germany |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Schutzstaffel |
| Years of service | 1932–1945 |
| Rank | SS-Obersturmbannführer |
| Unit | Gestapo |
| Commands | Kommandeur der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD in Rome |
| Criminal conviction | |
| Convictions | Italian Military Tribunal War crimes (Ardeatine massacre) |
| Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment |
Herbert Kappler (23 September 1907 – 9 February 1978) was a key German SS functionary and war criminal during the Nazi era. He served as the commander of German security police and security services (Sicherheitspolizei and SD) in Rome during the Second World War and was responsible for the Ardeatine massacre. Following the end of the war, Kappler stood trial in Italy and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He escaped from a prison hospital with the help of his wife shortly before his death in West Germany in 1978.