SS-Stubaf. Friedrich Polte

[George_W]

I'm looking for informations about SS-Stubaf. Friedrich Polte (born 1911).
He was executed after the war in Yugoslavia.
What was his position in Yugoslavia ?

George

[Mikedc]

Hello George,
F. Polte was SD-Referent beim Einsatzgruppe Yugoslavien from 11-4-1941 till 5-7-1941. At the same time he was also the Stellvertreter from W. Fuchs(the CO from EG Yugoslavien). Later on he was also working as a police-officer in Serbia.

Greetings, Mike

[Peter]

SS # 97 761
NSDAP # 946 219

born 20 Jan 1911 at Wolfenbuettel

promoted SS-Ustuf 30 Jan 1938
Mar 1938 = Einsatzkommando Österreich
Dec 1938 DAL = SD-Hauptamt
promoted SS-Ostuf 20 Apr 1938
promoted SS-Hstuf 9 Nov 1938
promoted SS-Stubaf 30 Jan 1939
assigned SD-Hauptamt 1941
Oct 1942 DAL = RSHA
promoted SS-Ostubaf on 9 Nov 1942
Awarded KVK I m Schw.
Oct 1944 DAL = RSHA


Polte Friedrich - the verdict of the Military Court in Belgrade, the court. br. no. 725/46. dated 22 Dec 1946. Sentenced to hang.

he is mentioned in "U.S. intelligence and the Nazis" by Richard Breitman (p266) in his inter-action with Hoettl.

[Mikedc]

Hello Peter,
Thanks for the extra info on Polte, especially his promotiondates since I hadn't those yet.

Greetings, Mike

[radevich]

Leiter SD–Leitabschnitt Wien: 23.9.1939 – (7.1941?)
Leiter SD-Leitabschnitt Berlin: 5.7.1941 – 05.1945

[Georges JEROME]

Friedrich Polte studied at University 6 years (history, political history, sociology). He abandonned work for his doctorate to join SD.
After Anschluss with SD staff of the SIPO Einsatzgruppe in Austria he took over the command of SD in Vienna. He feud with his subordinate in intelligence dept Wilhelm Höttl who was transferred as war correspondant. thanks to his links with Kaltenbrunner, Hottl came back to intelligence duties.

Georges

[Halfdan S.]

How did he end in Yugoslavia after the war? Guess it wasn't the yugoslavians that caught him.

Best
Halfdan S.

[George_W]

Polte was extradited by the British authorities to Yugoslavia in August 1946.

George

[Halfdan S.]

Thx. George

Regards
Halfdan S.

[steve248]

This was the reason for Polte's extradition to Yugoslavia:
16 May 1941, Schellenberg wrote to all Gruppenleiters and Referenten of RSHA IV, re “Einsatz der Sipo und des SD im ehemaligen Jugoslawien” in which he listed the Einsatzgruppe Jugoslawien and its Kommandos.
SS-Stubaf. Polte listed as Vertreter des EGführer Fuchs in Belgrade, and SD-Referent.
source: ZSL, Verschiedenes, Band 301ar, p. 46

In Oct 1941 he was appointed Führer SD-LA Berlin; though Ludwig Teichmann claims he replaced Polte in Belgrade in late July 1941 meaning Polte was only stationed there for 2-3 months.

[Toby2]

Does anyone know, how the British caught Friedrich Polte? It seems, he had been living under cover - as an "U-Boot" after the war.
And does anyone know about activities of Polte in Generalgouvernement/Poland during the war?
Best Toby

[steve248]

On 17 March 1946 the Yugoslav War Crimes Commission requested the extradition of Friedrich Polte from the British authorities. Polte was transferred from 1 CIC to 6 CIC on 18 April 1946 in readiness for his transfer. Polte had been interrogated by the Yugoslavs at 1 CIC and confirmed he had been with Gestapo Belgrade, as Deputy Chief and Abt.Leiter III.
CIC in the British Zone meant Civilian Internment Camp (not the US version of Counter Intelligence Corps) and 1 CIC was at Neumünster in Holstein. This probably means he was arrested up in Holstein, whether he had false papers I do not know. Many did but were irrelevant when they had to register with the Military Government for new papers. A man now 34 years old would have to account for his wartime record.
6 CIC was Neuengamme (the former KZ) used as an internment camp and a transfer station to other places.
On the face of it Polte must have been in British hands for some time and having to admit to his SS rank would have meant British interrogation, let alone one by the Yugoslavs. But where that/they may be only a British intelligence agency can tell us.

[Toby2]

Thank you so much steve248 ! Can you recommend an archive where I might find proof to what you´ve written - or in other words: Where did you get this "british" or yugoslav Information from? I have found the verdict / death-sentence in serbian language. But I would also be very interested in getting/ finding his interrogation protocol before court. Very best regards!

[steve248]

The information I quoted is from UK National Archives, Kew, reference WO 309/1913.
Unfortunately the interrogation report mentioned is not be found in this file or any other than I looked through.
As the interrogation was done by the Yugoslavs, you probably find a copy in Serbian archives relating to Polte.

[Toby2]

Thank you very very much, steve !!!