Ernst-Robert Grawitz

Ernst-Robert Grawitz
Born	8 June 1899 Charlottenburg
Died	24 April 1945 (aged 45) Potsdam-Babelsberg
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	German Red Cross
Rank	SS-Obergruppenführer
Battles/wars	World War I World War II

Ernst-Robert Grawitz (8 June 1899 – 24 April 1945) was a German physician (and an SS Reichsarzt, "arzt" meaning "physician") in Nazi Germany during World War II. He was born in Charlottenburg and died in Potsdam-Babelsberg.

Early life and career

Grawitz greeting members of the National Leader's School (Reichsführerschule) of the German Red Cross, February, 1939

Grawitz was born in Charlottenburg, in the western part of Berlin, Germany. As Reichsarzt SS and Polizei (Reich Physician SS and Police), Grawitz was also head of the German Red Cross. His wife, Ilse, was the daughter of SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Siegfried Taubert.

He funded Nazi attempts to "eradicate the perverted world of the homosexual" and research into attempts to "cure" homosexuality. This involved experimentation on inmates in Nazi concentration camps.^[1] He was in charge of "enthusiastic" experiments on concentration camp inmates.^[2] Researchers both in and outside the SS wanted to exploit the "supply" of inmates held in the SS camps and use them like "human guinea pigs" for experiments.^[3] In order to do so, the interested parties would have to apply to Grawitz, who would then forward requests on the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler who would then give final approval.^[4]

Towards the end of World War II in Europe, Grawitz was a physician in Adolf Hitler's Führerbunker. When he heard that other officials were leaving Berlin in order to escape from advancing Soviet Red Army, Grawitz petitioned Hitler to allow him to leave Berlin; his request was denied.

Death

As the Soviet Army advanced on Berlin, Grawitz killed himself and his family with grenades at their house in Babelsberg.^[5] The event was depicted in the 2004 film Der Untergang ("Downfall"), in which Grawitz was portrayed by Christian Hoening.

Decorations

• Iron Cross (1914)

• 2nd Class
• 1st Class

• Spanish Cross

• Silver

• Iron Cross (1939)

• 2nd Class
• War Merit Cross 1st Class with swords

References

1. http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/may/05/nazi-doctor-gay-people-carl-vaernet-escaped-justice-danish
2. Evans, Richard (2009) [2008]. The Third Reich at War, p. 729. ISBN 978-1594202063
3. Weale, Adrian (2012). Army of Evil: A History of the SS, p. 100. ISBN 978-0-451-23791-0
4. Weale, Adrian (2012). Army of Evil: A History of the SS, p. 100.
5. Evans, Richard (2009) [2008]. The Third Reich at War, p. 729.