Wilhelm Mohnke
German SS commander (1911–2001)
SS-Brigadeführer Wilhelm Mohnke (March 15, 1911 – August 6, 2001) was one of the original 120 members of the SS-Staff Guard (Stabswache) "Berlin" formed in March 1933. From those ranks, Mohnke was to rise to become one of Adolf Hitler's last remaining generals. Despite a campaign, led by the British Member of Parliament Jeff Rooker, to prosecute him for his alleged involvement in war crimes during the early part of the war, Wilhelm Mohnke was able to live out the remainder of his years in peace. He died in the coastal village of Damp, near Eckernförde in Schleswig-Holstein in August 2001, at the age of 90.
Quotes
- During my imprisonment in the Soviet Union, I often heard of an imprisoned Swedish diplomat who had been active in Budapest. The Russian authorities were said to have accused him of espionage for the Germans.
- Quoted in "Raoul Wallenberg: The Mystery Lives on" - Page 198 - by Harvey Rosenfeld - 2005.
- The battle will decide whether Germany is to live or die. Your soldiers must fight hard and ruthlessly. There must be no pity. The enemy must be beaten, now or never. Thus will live our Germany! Forward to and over the Meuse!
- Quoted in "The Longest Winter" - Page 71 - by Alex Kershaw - History - 2004.
About Mohnke
- SS Colonel Wilhelm Mohnke was reportedly involved in more than one atrocity. A quick-tempered and harsh man — even toward other SS — he was generally disliked, even by his comrades. On June 11, he interrogated three Canadian prisoners and, after shouting at them and gesturing in anger, had them taken to the edge of a deep bomb crater and shot.
- Samuel W. Mitcham.
