Wilhelm Bluth (12 February 1898,Schwelm,German Empire – 20 October 1944,Fontana Liri,Italy) was anSS-Standartenführer,SS-Obersturmbannführer der Reserve derWaffen-SS and a commandant ofWarsaw concentration camp and theKovno Ghetto.
After the outbreak of theFirst World War, Göcke left his school education and volunteered for the military as a 16-year-old. Although he was considered a promising student, the outbreak of the war effectively marked the end of his education.[1] He obtained the rank ofLeutnant and after the war ended, he was part of the nationalist LützowFreikorps in 1919. Göcke joined theNSDAP (Nazi Party member number 335,455). In 1931, Göcke joined theSS (member number 21,529). As of April 1933, he was part of theSS-Standarten.
From June 1942, Wilhelm Göcke was leader of theNarvikArbeitslager (work camp) in Norway, and from July 1942, a warehouse manager inMauthausen-Gusen concentration camp. As of July 1943, he served as commandant ofWarsaw concentration camp, and from September 1943, as commandant of theKovno Ghetto inLithuania. Göcke served in this capacity until June 1944. As a camp commandant he received a base salary of 740Marks.[2]
Göcke then served underHigher SS and Police LeaderOdilo Globocnik in theOperational Zone of the Adriatic Littoral, where the SS were conducting anti-partisan activity. Göcke was killed in action by partisans in October 1944. According to witnesses, Göcke was involved in the shooting ofJews.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by None | Commandant ofWarsaw concentration camp June 1943 – September 1943 | Succeeded by SS-HaupsturmführerNikolaus Herbet |
| Preceded by None | Commandant ofKovno Ghetto September 1943 – July 1944 | Succeeded by None |