# Otto Ohlendorf

> German SS officer and Holocaust perpetrator (1907–1951)

**Wikidata**: [Q57575](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57575)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Ohlendorf)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/otto-ohlendorf

## Summary
Otto Ohlendorf was a German SS officer and Holocaust perpetrator (1907–1951). He served as the head of the Einsatzgruppen (SS death squads) during World War II, overseeing the mass murder of Jews and other victims. His role in the Nazi regime made him a key figure in the Holocaust.

## Biography
- Born: February 4, 1907
- Nationality: German
- Education:
  - University of Göttingen (1925–1929)
  - Leipzig University (1929–1931)
  - Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (1931–1933)
- Known for: Leading the Einsatzgruppen, a paramilitary unit responsible for the mass murder of Jews and other victims during the Holocaust.
- Employer(s):
  - Schutzstaffel (SS)
  - Reich Main Security Office (RSHA)
- Field(s): Military, Holocaust perpetration

## Contributions
- Led the Einsatzgruppen, the SS paramilitary death squads, responsible for the mass murder of Jews and other victims during the Holocaust.
- Oversaw the implementation of Nazi genocide policies, including the systematic extermination of Jewish populations in occupied Europe.
- Played a key role in the Nazi regime’s efforts to eliminate perceived enemies, contributing to the Holocaust’s scale and brutality.

## FAQs
**What was Otto Ohlendorf’s role in the Holocaust?**
Ohlendorf was the head of the Einsatzgruppen, the SS paramilitary units responsible for the mass murder of Jews and other victims during the Holocaust. He oversaw the implementation of Nazi genocide policies, including the systematic extermination of Jewish populations in occupied Europe.

**Where did Otto Ohlendorf work?**
Ohlendorf served in the Schutzstaffel (SS) and the Reich Main Security Office (RSHA), key organizations in the Nazi regime. He was instrumental in the SS’s role in the Holocaust.

**What was the Einsatzgruppen?**
The Einsatzgruppen were SS paramilitary units formed during World War II to carry out mass killings of Jews, Romani people, disabled individuals, and Soviet POWs. Ohlendorf led these units, overseeing their operations.

**What was Otto Ohlendorf’s educational background?**
Ohlendorf studied at the University of Göttingen (1925–1929), Leipzig University (1929–1931), and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (1931–1933). His academic background did not prevent his involvement in the Holocaust.

**What awards did Otto Ohlendorf receive?**
Ohlendorf received several Nazi Party and SS awards, including the Golden Party Badge, War Merit Cross, Nazi Party Long Service Award, Order of the Star of Romania, SS Long Service Award, Honour Chevron for the Old Guard, and SS-Ehrenring.

## Why They Matter
Otto Ohlendorf’s role in the Holocaust makes him a critical figure in understanding the Nazi regime’s genocidal policies. His leadership of the Einsatzgruppen ensured the systematic extermination of millions of Jews and other victims. His actions contributed to the Holocaust’s scale and brutality, leaving a lasting legacy of atrocity. Ohlendorf’s involvement in the Nazi regime highlights the moral and historical consequences of his decisions, which continue to be studied and condemned.

## Notable For
- Led the Einsatzgruppen, the SS paramilitary death squads responsible for the mass murder of Jews and other victims during the Holocaust.
- Oversaw the implementation of Nazi genocide policies, including the systematic extermination of Jewish populations in occupied Europe.
- Received multiple Nazi Party and SS awards, including the Golden Party Badge, War Merit Cross, and SS-Ehrenring.
- Served in the Schutzstaffel (SS) and the Reich Main Security Office (RSHA), key organizations in the Nazi regime.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Otto Ohlendorf was born on February 4, 1907. He attended the University of Göttingen from 1925 to 1929, Leipzig University from 1929 to 1931, and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg from 1931 to 1933. His academic background did not prevent his involvement in the Nazi regime.

### Career and Role in the Nazi Regime
Ohlendorf joined the Schutzstaffel (SS) and later served in the Reich Main Security Office (RSHA). He was appointed head of the Einsatzgruppen, the SS paramilitary units responsible for the mass murder of Jews and other victims during the Holocaust. His leadership ensured the systematic extermination of millions of people.

### Contributions to the Holocaust
Ohlendorf oversaw the implementation of Nazi genocide policies, including the systematic extermination of Jewish populations in occupied Europe. The Einsatzgruppen, under his command, carried out mass killings of Jews, Romani people, disabled individuals, and Soviet POWs. His actions contributed to the Holocaust’s scale and brutality.

### Awards and Recognition
Ohlendorf received several Nazi Party and SS awards, including:
- Golden Party Badge
- War Merit Cross
- Nazi Party Long Service Award
- Order of the Star of Romania
- SS Long Service Award
- Honour Chevron for the Old Guard
- SS-Ehrenring

### Legacy and Impact
Ohlendorf’s role in the Holocaust makes him a critical figure in understanding the Nazi regime’s genocidal policies. His leadership of the Einsatzgruppen ensured the systematic extermination of millions of Jews and other victims. His actions contributed to the Holocaust’s scale and brutality, leaving a lasting legacy of atrocity. Ohlendorf’s involvement in the Nazi regime highlights the moral and historical consequences of his decisions, which continue to be studied and condemned.

## References

1. [Nuremberg Trials Project](http://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/5014-extract-from-the-testimony?q=Otto+Ohlendorf+#p.1)
2. Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Stand vom 1. Dezember 1936
3. [Nuremberg Trials Project](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/5014-extract-from-the-testimony?q=Otto+Ohlendorf+#p.1)
4. [Nuremberg Trials Project](http://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/451724)
5. [Find a Grave](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/122146300/otto-ohlendorf#)
6. [Source](https://www.tracesofwar.nl/persons/45274/Ohlendorf-Otto.htm)
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. [Nuremberg Trials Project](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/4391-affidavit-concerning-the-ss?q=otto+Ohlendorf#p.1)
10. Nuremberg Trials Project
11. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
12. TracesOfWar
13. Munzinger Personen
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [Nuremberg Trials Project](http://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/5015-extract-from-the-testimony?q=Otto+Ohlendorf+#p.1)
16. [Nuremberg Trials Project](http://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/4391-affidavit-concerning-the-ss?q=Otto+Ohlendorf+#p.1)
17. [Source](http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vol12/no1/76-bertosa-eng.asp)
18. [Source](https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/judgement-after-nuremberg-469925)
19. [Nuremberg Trials Project](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/151689-letters-to-the-general?q=w.l.+mitchell)
20. [Nuremberg Trials Project](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/250257)