Theodor Dannecker

Theodor Dannecker (born 27 March 1913 in Tübingen; died 10 December 1945 in Bad Tölz) was an SS Hauptsturmführer (captain) and one of Adolf Eichmann's associates.

After completing trade school, Dannecker first worked as a textile dealer, until he became a member of the NSDAP and the SS in 1932.

In 1934, Dannecker became a member of the "SS-Verfügungstruppe", a special combat support force, and a year later in 1935, he also became a member of the "Sicherheitsdienst" (SD). In March 1937 came Dannecker's transfer to the "Judenreferat" ("Jew Unit") in the SD's main office. From September 1940 until July 1942, Dannecker was leader of the "Judenreferat" at the SD post in Paris.

Owing to misuse of his position, he was ordered back to Berlin in August 1942. From January 1943 Dannecker was the highest German official in charge of the Final Solution, in all the Bulgarian territories. March April - Occupied Bulgarian terriritories from Greece and Yugoslavia. Attempt to deport Jews with Jewish citizenship failed due to wide spread opposition, led by heads of the church Metropolitan Bishops Stephan and Kiril from Sofia and Plovdiv and by prominent politicians such as vice president of the parliament, Dimiter Peshev. Danecker continued to deport the Italian Jews between September 1943 and January 1944, and Hungarian Jews between early 1944 and summer of the same year.

In December 1945, Dannecker was interned by the United States Army, and a few days later committed suicide.

Theodor Dannecker developed under Adolf Eichmann into one of the SS's most experienced experts on the "Jewish Question", and his involvement in the annihilation of European Jewry was one of primary responsibility.