Herbert Lange

Herbert Lange (September 29 1909 - April 20 1945) was a Sturmbannführer (Major) in the SS.

Born in Menzlin, Pomerania, Lange studied law, but failed to obtain a degree and he subsequently joined the NSDAP (Nazi Party) on May 1 1932. He enlisted in the Sturmabteilung (SA) three months later, and the following year, he joined the SS. He subsequently joined the police force, becoming a deputy commissioner in 1935.

On November 9 1939, Lange was promoted to the rank of SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant) and posted in Poland. After his promotion to SS-Obersturmführer (1st Lieutenant) on April 20 1940, he became the first commandant of Chełmno extermination camp, being implicated in thousands of gassings. He also led the execution of 1,558 mental patients at the Soldau concentration camp.

In 1942, Lange's services were needed at the Reich Main Security Office ("Reichssicherheitshauptamt") and he was transferred. He served under Arthur Nebe as a Kriminalrat (Criminal Investigator) and in 1944, he aided in catching the conspirators of the attempt on Hitler's life (the July 20 Plot), leading to his promotion to SS-Sturmbannführer.

Lange was killed in action during the Battle of Berlin.