Erich Priebke, one of the highest-ranking Gestapo officers in Rome during the Second World War, was responsible for one of Italy’s worst atrocities, the Ardeatine Cave massacres. On a direct order from Adolf Hitler, Priebke orchestrated the assassination of 335 Italian civilians, including 75 Jews.
After the war, Priebke fled to Argentina and lived in hiding for more than 50 years. But in 1994, a team of American TV journalists stumbled onto his trail and helped bring him to justice.
Priebke was born in 1913 in Hennigsdorf, Germany. He joined the Nazi Party in 1933 and became a member of the SS in 1939. During the war, he served as an officer in the SS and the Gestapo, and was responsible for the torture and execution of numerous prisoners.
In March 1944, Priebke was appointed the head of the Gestapo in Rome. On March 23, 1944, a group of Italian partisans attacked a column of German soldiers, killing 33. In retaliation, Priebke ordered the execution of 10 Italian civilians for every German soldier killed.
The following day, 335 Italian civilians were rounded up and taken to the Ardeatine Caves, outside Rome. There, they were shot and killed by SS troops under Priebke’s command.
After the war, Priebke fled to Argentina, where he lived under an assumed name for more than 50 years. But in 1994, a team of American TV journalists working for ABC’s “PrimeTime Live” stumbled onto his trail.
The journalists were in Argentina investigating the Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie, known as the “Butcher of Lyon,” when they received a tip that Priebke was also living in the country. They tracked him down to the town of Bariloche, where he was living under the name “Erich Priecker.”
The journalists arranged for an interview with Priebke, posing as tourists interested in the town’s German history. During the interview, Priebke admitted to his role in the Ardeatine Cave massacres.
The journalists secretly recorded the interview and passed the tape to the Italian authorities. The Italian government requested Priebke’s extradition, and after a lengthy legal battle, he was extradited to Italy to stand trial.
In 1998, Priebke was found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to life in prison. He died in 2013 at the age of 100, while still serving his sentence.
The case of Erich Priebke demonstrates the importance of holding war criminals accountable, even decades after the atrocities they committed. It also highlights the role that investigative journalists can play in uncovering hidden truths and bringing justice to victims and their families.
Erich Priebke was born on July 29, 1913, in Hennigsdorf, Germany, to a working-class family. He grew up in a strict household with his father, who was a railroad worker, and his mother, who was a homemaker. Priebke was an athletic young man and became involved in sports, particularly rowing and boxing, which he continued to participate in throughout his life.
Priebke joined the Nazi party in 1933, shortly after Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany. He served in the German military during World War II and was assigned to the SS, the paramilitary organization responsible for many of the Nazi regime’s atrocities. Priebke quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an officer in the Gestapo, the secret police force known for its brutality and role in the Holocaust.
As one of the highest-ranking Gestapo officers in Rome during the war, Priebke was responsible for one of Italy’s worst atrocities — the Ardeatine Cave massacres. On March 24, 1944, Priebke orchestrated the assassination of 335 Italian civilians in retaliation for an attack on German soldiers. The victims, who ranged in age from 15 to 75, were rounded up and shot in the back of the head. Priebke personally oversaw the killings and later bragged about his role in the massacre.
After the war, Priebke fled to Argentina, where he lived under a false identity for nearly 50 years. He worked as a schoolteacher and eventually became a citizen of Argentina. However, in 1994, a high-profile team of American TV journalists stumbled onto his trail, leading to his eventual capture and extradition to Italy to face trial for his role in the Ardeatine Cave massacres.
During his trial, Priebke showed no remorse for his actions and denied responsibility for the massacre. He was sentenced to life in prison, but his sentence was later commuted to house arrest due to his advanced age and poor health. Priebke remained under house arrest until his death on October 11, 2013, at the age of 100.
Priebke’s personal life is not well documented, but it is known that he was married and had children. His wife, Hilda, was also a Nazi sympathizer and reportedly shared his beliefs in the superiority of the Aryan race. Priebke’s son, Jorge, has also been involved in far-right politics and has expressed support for his father’s actions during the war.
Overall, Erich Priebke’s life was marked by his involvement in the Nazi regime and his role in one of Italy’s worst atrocities. Despite living for nearly 50 years as a fugitive from justice, he was eventually brought to trial and held accountable for his actions. His case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding war criminals accountable and seeking justice for victims of atrocities.
In conclusion, the story of how an American news crew found the last Nazi officer, Erich Priebke, is a testament to the power of investigative journalism and the importance of holding war criminals accountable. It is a reminder that justice can be served, even many years after the crimes were committed, and that we must never forget the atrocities of the past.
