Rudolf Bamler
Encyclopedia
Rudolf Bamler was a German
Wehrmacht
leader before and during the Second World War. Although Bamler was a member of the Nazi Party he would later serve as a leading member of the East German security forces.
as the head of section III (counterespionage) and here he helped to encourage closer co-operation with the Gestapo
and Sicherheitsdienst
(SD). This role also meant that Bamler maintained a network of informers across German society rivalled only by that of the SD. Although he had a difficult personal relationship with his superior Wilhelm Canaris
the two co-operated closely in supporting Canaris' friend Francisco Franco
during the Spanish Civil War
.
) before a transfer to the same role in XX (Danzig). Bamler was then made Chief of Staff to the XXXXVII Panzer Corps in 1940. From 1942 to 1944 he was Chief of Staff to the German Army in Norway under General Nikolaus von Falkenhorst
, having risen to the rank of Lieutenant General.
and from 1 to 27 June he was commander of the 121st Infantry Division
, before being replaced by Helmuth Prieß
. He was simultaneously commander of the 12th Infantry Division, with Gerhard Engel
his replacement.
Bamler's commands ended as he had surrendered to the Red Army
on 27 June 1944. However embittered by what he saw as the sacrifice of his division Bamler defected to the Soviet Union
that had captured him.
police officer there from 1946 until his retirement in 1962. He also held the rank of Major General in the Kasernierte Volkspolizei
.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
leader before and during the Second World War. Although Bamler was a member of the Nazi Party he would later serve as a leading member of the East German security forces.
Abwehr
Bamler was attached to the AbwehrAbwehr
The Abwehr was a German military intelligence organisation from 1921 to 1944. The term Abwehr was used as a concession to Allied demands that Germany's post-World War I intelligence activities be for "defensive" purposes only...
as the head of section III (counterespionage) and here he helped to encourage closer co-operation with the Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
and Sicherheitsdienst
Sicherheitsdienst
Sicherheitsdienst , full title Sicherheitsdienst des Reichsführers-SS, or SD, was the intelligence agency of the SS and the Nazi Party in Nazi Germany. The organization was the first Nazi Party intelligence organization to be established and was often considered a "sister organization" with the...
(SD). This role also meant that Bamler maintained a network of informers across German society rivalled only by that of the SD. Although he had a difficult personal relationship with his superior Wilhelm Canaris
Wilhelm Canaris
Wilhelm Franz Canaris was a German admiral, head of the Abwehr, the German military intelligence service, from 1935 to 1944 and member of the German Resistance.- Early life and World War I :...
the two co-operated closely in supporting Canaris' friend Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
during the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
.
World War Two
Following the outbreak of the Second World War Bamler was appointed Chief of Staff of Wehrkreis VII (MunichMunich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
) before a transfer to the same role in XX (Danzig). Bamler was then made Chief of Staff to the XXXXVII Panzer Corps in 1940. From 1942 to 1944 he was Chief of Staff to the German Army in Norway under General Nikolaus von Falkenhorst
Nikolaus von Falkenhorst
Nikolaus von Falkenhorst was a German General who planned Operation Weserübung, the invasion of Denmark and Norway in 1940...
, having risen to the rank of Lieutenant General.
Eastern Front
Bamler was then moved to the Eastern FrontEastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
and from 1 to 27 June he was commander of the 121st Infantry Division
121st Infantry Division (Germany)
The 121st Infantry Division was a German division in World War II. It was a part of the German XXVIII Army Corps.-Commanding officers:*General der Artillerie Curt Jahn, 5 October 1940 – 6 May 1941...
, before being replaced by Helmuth Prieß
Helmuth Prieß
Helmuth Prieß was a highly decorated General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the XXVII. Armeekorps. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or...
. He was simultaneously commander of the 12th Infantry Division, with Gerhard Engel
Gerhard Engel
Gerhard Michael Engel was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several divisions. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
his replacement.
Bamler's commands ended as he had surrendered to the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
on 27 June 1944. However embittered by what he saw as the sacrifice of his division Bamler defected to the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
that had captured him.
Later years
Bamler settled in East Germany and worked as a StasiStasi
The Ministry for State Security The Ministry for State Security The Ministry for State Security (German: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (MfS), commonly known as the Stasi (abbreviation , literally State Security), was the official state security service of East Germany. The MfS was headquartered...
police officer there from 1946 until his retirement in 1962. He also held the rank of Major General in the Kasernierte Volkspolizei
Kasernierte Volkspolizei
Kasernierte Volkspolizei were the military units of the Volkspolizei in the German Democratic Republic...
.