Hermann Goring’s murderous Gestapo began its reign of terror

SHORTLY after gaining control of Germany, the Nazis began to eliminate any opposition.

On April 26, 1933, Hermann Goring, later commander of the Luftwaffe, created the Geheime Staatspolizei.

The Secret State Police – which would come to be known as the Gestapo – was filled with fanatical Nazis.

Its purpose was to hunt down those considered internal threats to Hitler.

Unlike regular police, the Gestapo had its own court system.

Those considered guilty – intellectuals, Jews or simply anyone considered an enemy – faced a Gestapo judge, jury and, often, an executioner.

They were hated by the officer class of the German Army. It was no wonder – with seemingly-limitless powers, a low-level Gestapo lieutenant had the ability to arrest a general if he suspected him of treason.

Gestapo members were included in the hated Einsatzgruppen – mobile death squads that followed the German regular army into Poland and Russia to kill Jews and other so-called “undesirables”.

Heinrich Müller led the Gestapo during the war – but he was not tried later, as he disappeared from Hitler’s bunker and was never found.