# Ernst Kaltenbrunner

> Austrian SS official, a major perpetrator of the Holocaust and convicted war criminal (1903-1946)

**Wikidata**: [Q78473](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q78473)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Kaltenbrunner)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ernst-kaltenbrunner

## Summary
Ernst Kaltenbrunner was an Austrian SS official who served as a major perpetrator of the Holocaust and a convicted war criminal. He was a key figure in Nazi Germany's security and intelligence operations, overseeing the mass deportation and extermination of Jews during World War II.

## Biography
- Born: October 4, 1903, in Vienna, Austria
- Nationality: Austrian
- Education:
  - University of Graz (1921–1925)
  - University of Vienna (1925–1928)
- Known for: Leading the Reich Main Security Office (RMO) and overseeing the Holocaust
- Employer(s):
  - Schutzstaffel (SS)
  - Nazi Germany
- Field(s): Security, intelligence, and mass deportation operations

## Contributions
- Led the Reich Main Security Office (RMO), a central intelligence and police service under the SS, responsible for coordinating the mass deportation and extermination of Jews and other perceived enemies of the Nazi regime.
- Oversaw the implementation of the Holocaust, including the establishment of concentration camps and the deportation of millions of Jews to extermination camps.
- Played a key role in the persecution and elimination of Romani people, political dissidents, and other groups deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime.
- Awarded the Blood Order, one of the most prestigious decorations in the Nazi Party, for his service and loyalty to the regime.

## FAQs
**What was Ernst Kaltenbrunner's role in the Holocaust?**
Ernst Kaltenbrunner was the head of the Reich Main Security Office (RMO), which coordinated the mass deportation and extermination of Jews and other groups during the Holocaust. He oversaw the establishment of concentration camps and the deportation of millions of people to extermination camps.

**Where did Ernst Kaltenbrunner receive his education?**
Ernst Kaltenbrunner studied at the University of Graz from 1921 to 1925 and later at the University of Vienna from 1925 to 1928.

**What awards did Ernst Kaltenbrunner receive?**
Ernst Kaltenbrunner was awarded the Blood Order, one of the most prestigious decorations in the Nazi Party, for his service and loyalty to the regime.

**What was the Reich Main Security Office (RMO)?**
The Reich Main Security Office (RMO) was a central intelligence and police service under the Schutzstaffel (SS) in Nazi Germany. It was responsible for coordinating the mass deportation and extermination of Jews and other perceived enemies of the Nazi regime.

**What was Ernst Kaltenbrunner's role in the persecution of Romani people?**
Ernst Kaltenbrunner played a key role in the persecution and elimination of Romani people, along with other groups deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime. He oversaw the deportation and extermination of Romani people in concentration camps and extermination camps.

## Why They Matter
Ernst Kaltenbrunner's actions as the head of the Reich Main Security Office had a profound and lasting impact on the Holocaust. His leadership in coordinating the mass deportation and extermination of Jews and other groups contributed to the systematic genocide of millions of people. His role in the persecution and elimination of Romani people further exacerbated the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. Kaltenbrunner's conviction as a war criminal underscores the importance of holding perpetrators of such crimes accountable for their actions.

## Notable For
- Leading the Reich Main Security Office (RMO) and overseeing the Holocaust
- Awarded the Blood Order, one of the most prestigious decorations in the Nazi Party
- Convicted war criminal and major perpetrator of the Holocaust
- Key figure in the mass deportation and extermination of Jews and other groups
- Played a significant role in the persecution and elimination of Romani people

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Ernst Kaltenbrunner was born on October 4, 1903, in Vienna, Austria. He attended the University of Graz from 1921 to 1925 and later studied at the University of Vienna from 1925 to 1928. His education provided him with a legal and political background that would later be instrumental in his career within the Nazi regime.

### Career in the Schutzstaffel (SS)
Kaltenbrunner joined the Schutzstaffel (SS) in 1925 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his intelligence and loyalty to the Nazi Party. He became a key figure in the SS, known for his ruthless efficiency and adherence to the regime's policies.

### Leadership of the Reich Main Security Office (RMO)
In 1939, Kaltenbrunner was appointed as the head of the Reich Main Security Office (RMO), a central intelligence and police service under the SS. The RMO was responsible for coordinating the mass deportation and extermination of Jews and other perceived enemies of the Nazi regime. Under his leadership, the RMO played a pivotal role in the implementation of the Holocaust.

### Oversight of the Holocaust
Kaltenbrunner oversaw the establishment of concentration camps and the deportation of millions of Jews to extermination camps. He was directly involved in the coordination of mass killings and the systematic persecution of Jews. His actions contributed to the genocide of six million Jews during the Holocaust.

### Persecution of Romani People and Other Groups
In addition to his role in the Holocaust, Kaltenbrunner played a significant part in the persecution and elimination of Romani people. He also targeted political dissidents, homosexuals, and other groups deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime. His leadership in these atrocities further exacerbated the suffering of millions of people.

### Awards and Recognition
Kaltenbrunner was awarded the Blood Order, one of the most prestigious decorations in the Nazi Party, for his service and loyalty to the regime. He also received other medals and honors for his contributions to the Nazi regime.

### Trial and Conviction
After World War II, Kaltenbrunner was captured by Allied forces and tried as a war criminal. He was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. He was executed on October 16, 1946, in Landsberg Prison.

### Legacy
Ernst Kaltenbrunner's legacy is one of infamy and responsibility. His actions as a key figure in the Holocaust and the persecution of other groups have left a lasting impact on history. His conviction as a war criminal serves as a reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators of such crimes accountable for their actions.

## References

1. I was the Nuremberg jailer (1st American edition)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. Find a Grave
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
8. SNAC
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. TracesOfWar
11. Munzinger Personen
12. Nuremberg Trials Project
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. Virtual International Authority File
15. Nuremberg trials
16. LIBRIS. 2013
17. [Source](https://mix-n-match.toolforge.org/#/entry/63770621)