Wilhelm Canaris

Wilhelm Franz Canaris (January 1, 1887 – April 9, 1945) was head of the German military intelligence service, the Abwehr, for much of World War II.

Nazi-era

He entered intelligence work in 1931 and after the ascension of Adolf Hitler, he was made head of the Abwehr on January 1, 1935.

Related Topics:
Adolf Hitler - January 1 - 1935

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1938-1939, Canaris opposed Hitler's aggressive plans and feared that he would involve Germany in a military catastrophe. When Hitler invaded Poland, Canaris visited the front and personally witnessed atrocities by the SS Einsatzgruppen, including the burning of the Bedzin synagogue and the fiery death of the Jewish residents of the town. He also received reports from his Abwehr agents about many other incidents of mass murder throughout Poland.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Canaris was shocked by this incident and he actively worked to overthrow Hitler and attempted to organize putsch attempts with the General Staff.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Two of his subordinates, General Erwin Lahousen and Hans Bernd Gisevius, survived the war and testified during the Nuremberg trials about Canaris' bravery in opposing Hitler. During the trial of the Major German War Criminals, Lahousen recalled a conversation between Canaris and General Keitel, in which Canaris warned Keitel that the German military would ultimately be held responsible for the atrocities in Poland. Keitel responded that the Führer had ordered it. At Nuremberg, Keitel was found guilty and hanged.

Related Topics:
Erwin Lahousen - Hans Bernd Gisevius - Nuremberg trials - General Keitel - Führer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Canaris continued his opposition to Hitler together with Lahousen and the rest of the "Canaris Circle" of German officers, who sought to overthrow the Nazi dictator. Most of this group was executed by the Gestapo or forced to commit suicide, see also the list of members of the July 20 plot.

Related Topics:
Gestapo - List of members of the July 20 plot

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Canaris also intervened to save a number of victims of Nazi persecution, including hundreds of Jews, many of whom were given token training as "agents" of the Abwehr and issued papers allowing them to escape Nazi Germany. On more than one occasion, Canaris rescued Jews from the Gestapo on the grounds they were his "agents" and should be set free.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hitler dismissed Canaris from command in February 1944, replacing him with Walter Schellenberg and merging most of the Abwehr with the SD. Later that year Canaris was placed under house arrest, preventing him from participating in the July 20 Plot to assassinate Hitler. Canaris' long-time rival, Heinrich Himmler, persuaded Hitler that Canaris was linked to the July 20 conspiracy, and Canaris was executed by slow strangulation at Flossenbürg concentration camp together with Hans Oster, Carl Sack, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Ludwig Gehre - a few weeks before the end of World War II.

Related Topics:
1944 - Walter Schellenberg - July 20 Plot - Flossenbürg concentration camp - Hans Oster - Carl Sack - Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Ludwig Gehre - World War II

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~