His name was Oskar Dirlewanger, a man feared even among those who were already known for cruelty. Born in Germany at the end of the 19th century, Dirlewanger served in World War I. At first, he appeared to be an ordinary soldier, but behind the uniform was a violent and unstable personality. After the war, he failed to return to normal life. He was repeatedly arrested, imprisoned, and rejected by society—including by the military itself. When the Nazi regime rose to power, his criminal past was

During World War II, Na*zi Germany formed the highly controversial Dirlewanger Division, led by Oskar Dirlewanger, a convicted criminal. The unit was uniquely composed of prisoners sent to Eastern Europe to suppress resistance movements. They quickly gained a notorious reputation for unconventional and extreme conduct during their operations, particularly during the counter-insurgency efforts in 1944. Their severe behavior was so alarming that it caused internal friction with even other SS units