Theodor Eicke was a senior SS functionary and Waffen SS divisional commander during the Nazi era. He was one of the key figures in the development of Nazi concentration camps. Eicke served as the second commandant of the Dachau concentration camp from June 1933 to July 1934, and together with his adjutant Michael Lippert, was one of the executioners of SA Chief Ernst Röhm during the Night of the Long Knives purge of 1934. He continued to expand and develop the concentration camp system as the first Concentration Camps Inspector.
Theodor Eicke
Dachau entrance gate with the Arbeit Macht Frei ("Work sets you free") slogan commonly featured at Nazi concentration camps. 48°16′06″N 11°28′01″E / 48.268347°N 11.466865°E / 48.268347; 11.466865 (Site of Dachau entrance with Arbeit Macht Frei "Work Makes Free" Gate)
Eicke and the SS Division Totenkopf in the Soviet Union in 1941.
The Schutzstaffel was a major paramilitary organisation under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Nazi Germany, and later throughout German-occupied Europe during World War II.
Image: Bundesarchiv Bild 183 H04436, Klagenfurt, Adolf Hitler, Ehrenkompanie
Image: Bundesarchiv Bild 101III Lerche Stereo 046 03, Metz, Sepp Dietrich bei Ordensverleihung
Image: Himmler besichtigt die Gefangenenlager in Russland. Heinrich Himmler inspects a prisoner of war camp in Russia, circa... NARA 540164
Image: Bundesarchiv Bild 183 R97512, Berlin, Geheimes Staatspolizeihauptamt
