Otto Hellwig

[Andreas Schulz]

I need bio info of SS-Gruppenführer Otto Hellwig from 1935 to 1941. Mark C. Yerger wrote that Hellwig was in July 1935 Kommandeur der der Führerschule der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD in Berlin-Charlottenburg but the Sicherheitspolizei was founded in June 1936.

AnDie

[chrish]

According to polisch sources Hellwig was Chef Staatspolizeileitstelle Breslau from 15.2.1935 to 1937 . (Polisch archives include documents Breslau Stapo with Hellwig's signature as Chef this institution) . In mid-1937 he was nominated to Chef Führerschule der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD in Berlin-Charlottenburg .

(source: Alfred Konieczny : "Szefowie wroc³awskiego Gestapo W: "Organizacja i dzia³alno¶æ wroc³awskiego gestapo w latach 1933-1945" , Biuletyn GKBZHwP , vol. XXIII , Warsaw 1971 . p. 27-28).

In the meantime (1939) he participaded in border's provocation together with Naujocks and Trummler (Kdr Schule Pretsch).

In September 1939 Hellwig was Chef Einsatznommando / EGR z.b.V SS-O'Gruf Woyrsch . EGR z.b.V was made up of two part : second part commanded J. Trummler (1944 B.d.S Wiesbaden)

[source: K.Leszczyñski : "Dzia³alno¶æ Einsatzgruppen Policji Bezpieczeñstwa na ziemiach polskich w 1939 w ¶wietle dokumentów" , Biuletyn GKBZHwP , vol. XXII , Warsaw 1971 , p. 13 - 14]

In September 1939 he was provided for Chef Staatspolizeileitstelle Kattowitz . For unknown causes he was dismissed and he returned to Berlin-Charlottenburg. His succesor was Emanuel Schafer.

From 1 April to 1 Oct. 1941 Hellwig was Chef Staatspolizeileitstelle Stettin . In the same time he was I.d.S Stettin (8.3.1941 - 1.10.1942)

[Andreas Schulz]

Chrish wrote "In the meantime (1939) he participaded in border's provocation together with Naujocks and Trummler (Kdr Schule Pretsch)."

That was not Otto Hellwig, that was SS-Obersturmbannführer Ottfried Hellwig, born 04.07.1900 (Heinz Höhne " Der Orden unter dem Totenkopf").

Chrish wrote "In September 1939 Hellwig was Chef Einsatznommando / EGR z.b.V SS-O'Gruf Woyrsch . EGR z.b.V was made up of two part : second part commanded J. Trummler (1944 B.d.S Wiesbaden)"

I think that was also Ottfried Hellwig.

[Georges JEROME]

Hallo Andreas,


A listing of HSSPF dated 20.2.1945

state SS Gruf u genlt der ¨Polizei Otto Hellwig was iV HSSPF Nordost

vertreter HSSPF Nordost 9/1/45 - 8.5.45

(Prutzmann remain HSSPF but was then Bevollmachtigter deutsche General in Kroatien u Gen Inspekteur fur spezialabwehr (Werwolff))

best

Georges

[Andreas Schulz]

Hi Georges,

I know this. I search only Hellwigs bio datas for the time 1935 to 1941.

Best
Andreas

[DennisW]

Can someone expand upon Hellwig's involvement in he Gleiwitz incident?
Does anyone have the names of those accompanying Naujocks (from authoritative resources)?

[jv]

Can someone expand upon Hellwig's involvement in he Gleiwitz incident?
Does anyone have the names of those accompanying Naujocks (from authoritative resources)?

"Operation Tannenberg" involved a number of SD actions on the German-Polish border (Pitschen, Hochlinden, Gleiwitz). When Heinrich Mueller took over the overall co-ordination late August 1939 (Heydrich had grown impatient with the delays in the execution of the SD actions and also with the on-going criticism from the original co-ordinator SS-Oberfuehrer Dr. Herbert Mehlhorn), Mehlhorn and SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer Otto Hellwig (originally in charge of the group that would "attack" the border patrol station near Hochlinden) were taken off the commando action plan. Mueller re-shuffled the action plan as follows: Dr. Dr. Otto Rasch (leading the "attack" on the Forsthaus near Pitschen), SS Standartenfuehrer Dr. Hans Trummler (leading the "defence" near Hochlinden), SS-Sturmbannfuehrer Karl Hoffmann (replacing Hellwig - leading the "attack" on the border patrol station near Hochlinden) and SS-Sturmbannfuehrer Alfred Helmut Naujocks (leading the "attack" on Gleiwitz).

As for the men accompanying Naujocks, no specific names are mentioned (Naujocks: "I picked a few men, six or seven - not only from the SD"). Except for Naujocks' driver, most of the men according to Naujocks were locals who knew the local situation well. In addition, he had a radio technician who also knew the local situation well and who could speak Polish. Naujocks' group left Berlin for Gleiwitz in two trucks, dressed as civilians.

Source: Unternehmen Tannenberg by Alfred Spiesz and Heiner Lichtenstein 1979. jv

[Andreas Schulz]

Hi jv,

you are right, Otto Hellwig was a part of "Unternehmen Tannenberg".
The name Ottfried Hellwig is a mistake Heinz Höhne.

AnDie

[Georges JEROME]

Otto Hellwig was a former prussian schupo officer.
ranked Polizeileutnant on 16.06.28
1929 Polizeiverwaltung Bielefeld in Reg bezirk Minden
1930 Polizeiverwaltung Bielefeld in Reg bezirk Minden
1931.1.4 Polizeihauptmann
1934 he was call up in Lippe state to take command Landespolizei LIppe
Hellwig incorporate politische polizei under his command.
(from 1.4.37 Pol Institut Berlin Charlottenburg change into Führerschule der SIPO
1937 kdr Führerschule SIPO Berlin Charlottenburg
1938 kdr Führerschule SIPO Berlin Charlottenburg

(all datas confirmed by Taschenbuch f verw beamte 1938, 1939, 1931, Dienstalterlister der Schupo 1929, 1930, Preuss. Minblatt der Innern 1931, Browder Foundation nazi police state)

JG

[Andreas Schulz]

Otto Hellwig

1931.1.4 Polizeihauptmann

JG

Hi Georges,

I have 15.12.1933 as promotion date for Polizeihauptmann.

AnDie

[Georges JEROME]

I found mention of promotion date in Preuss. Min blatt der Innern 1931 without christian name.
when I checked in Dienstalterliste der Schupo 1930 there is only 2 Hellwig : Walter (already Hptm) and Otto (Lt).
So, if your record is more precise. keep it.

best

Georges

[steve248]

1941, SS-Ostubaf ORR Hellwig transferred to Stettin as Deputy IdS and Stapoleiter; earlier, Kommandeur der Führerschule etc Berlin-Charlottenburg
(BBL 9/41)

1941, promotion of SS-Ostubaf ORR Hellwig as Komm. IdS Stettin
(BBL 14/41 and BBL 16/41)

1941, promotion to Regierungsdirektor, listed as IdS Stettin
(BBL 43/41)

1942, SS-Oberf und Oberst d.Po. Hellwig listed as IdS Stettin
(BBL 30/42)

30 Jan 1943, promotion to SS-Brig und Genmaj.d.Pol., listed as SSPF Schitomir
(BBL 5/43)

12 Feb 1945, SS-Gruf Hellwig as HSSPF NordOst wrote to Himmler on the westward evacuations from East Prussia
(Imperial War Museum, London - Himmler Boxes, H/12/201 - probably available at the BAL)

I also had the Heinz Höhne reference to "Ottfried" Hellwig who not only places him with Aktion Konserven in Aug 1939; but as SSPF Bialystok in early 1944.

[jv]

1941, SS-Ostubaf ORR Hellwig transferred to Stettin as Deputy IdS and Stapoleiter; earlier, Kommandeur der Führerschule etc Berlin-Charlottenburg
(BBL 9/41)

1941, promotion of SS-Ostubaf ORR Hellwig as Komm. IdS Stettin
(BBL 14/41 and BBL 16/41)

1941, promotion to Regierungsdirektor, listed as IdS Stettin
(BBL 43/41)

1942, SS-Oberf und Oberst d.Po. Hellwig listed as IdS Stettin
(BBL 30/42)

30 Jan 1943, promotion to SS-Brig und Genmaj.d.Pol., listed as SSPF Schitomir
(BBL 5/43)

12 Feb 1945, SS-Gruf Hellwig as HSSPF NordOst wrote to Himmler on the westward evacuations from East Prussia
(Imperial War Museum, London - Himmler Boxes, H/12/201 - probably available at the BAL)

I also had the Heinz Höhne reference to "Ottfried" Hellwig who not only places him with Aktion Konserven in Aug 1939; but as SSPF Bialystok in early 1944.

Aktion Konserven was the codename of the procurement of "victims" of the planned "attacks" (hence the codename "pun").
The "victims" were prisoners procured from KL Sachsenhausen. This action fell under the responsibility of Gestapo Mueller. jv

[Matt Gibbs]

Ottfried Hellwig is number 939 in the 1934 online seniority list in the factbook. He is listed as SS Nr 2096 and Party Nr 35314, rank, Obersturmfuhrer.
Regards
MGibbs

[Andreas Schulz]

"Ottfried" Hellwig is a mistake by Heinz Höhne. The real Ottfried Hellwig was 1939 Personalreferent in SS-Oberabschnitt Fulda-Werra.

AnDie