Bruno Gesche
| Bruno Gesche | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
5 November 1905 Berlin, Germany |
| Died | 1980 Germany |
| Allegiance |
 Nazi Germany (1933–1945) |
| Service/branch |
 SS
|
| Rank | Obersturmbannführer** |
| Unit | SS-Begleitkommando des Führers, , 16th SS Panzergrenadier Division Reichsführer-SS |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
SS-Obersturmbannführer** Bruno Gesche (5 November 1905 – 1980) was a lieutenant colonel of the SS in Nazi Germany. He was a member of Adolf Hitler's entourage and the fourth commander of Hitler 's personal bodyguard (originally known as the SS-Begleitkommando des Führers, later known as Führerbegleitkommando) for the periods June 1934 – April 1942 and December 1942 – December 1944.
Gesche's aspirations for a career in the German military as an officer were effectively ended by the limitations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles on the post-First World War national defence force, the Reichswehr and his limited education. Gesche joined what was then a fringe political movement, the NSDAP (Nazi Party), and its paramilitary wing, the Sturmabteilung (SA) in 1922. Although Gesche's association with the Nazi movement cost him his job at a bank in 1923. His status within the Nazi Party as an Alte Kämpfer (NSDAP Member No. 8592) proved to be a tremendous asset to him during the better part of the subsequent two and a half decades. In 1927 Gesche left the SA to join what was then its subordinate outfit, the Schutzstaffel (SS Member No. 1093). The SS, as in its earlier incarnations, the Stabswache and Stoßtrupp-Hitler, functioned as the future Führer's bodyguard.
On 29 February 1932, with the advice of Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, Hitler chose eight from a prospective twelve SS men presented by Sepp Dietrich, to serve as his personal bodyguard, the SS-Begleitkommando des Führers. One of the handpicked men was Bruno Gesche. Not long after the unit's creation, Gesche managed to draw the ire of Himmler To Himmler's consternation, Hitler's fondness for Gesche stemming from their days as old guard comrades would define Gesche's fate for practically the duration of Nazi Germany.
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