Gustav Heigel

Gustav Heigel in April 1947

Gustav Heigel (born March 15, 1893 ; † unknown) was a German SS-Hauptscharführer and headed the detention area in Buchenwald concentration camp .

Life

Heigel, a member of the SS , was posted to the Buchenwald concentration camp from December 15, 1941 to April 11, 1945. Heigel initially worked as a block leader in Buchenwald and from February 1943 to January 1945 he was the head of the detention area in the Buchenwald concentration camp. During this period, Heigel was responsible for preparing 350 to 400 executions. He was also present in the crematorium at 50 to 70 executions, which were probably carried out by Command 99 . Between January and April 1945, Heigel worked as a platoon leader in the guard company and also as a command officer.

After his arrest, Heigel was charged with 30 other suspects in the main Buchenwald trial in the Dachau trials . Heigel was accused by witnesses of ill-treating Allied prisoners. Heigel admitted that he had given execution victims shots of grace in two or three cases. On August 14, 1947, Heigel was sentenced to death by hanging because of his position in the detention area of ​​the camp and taking part in executions for “helping and participating in the operations of the Buchenwald concentration camp” . The sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. Heigel was probably released from Landsberg War Crimes Prison in the mid-1950s . Nothing is known about his further life.

literature

• Buchenwald main trial: Deputy Judge Advocate's Office 7708 War Crimes Group European Command APO 407: (United States of America v. Josias Prince zu Waldeck et al. - Case 000-50-9), November 1947 Original document in English (PDF file ; 17.4 MB)