, a sadist called the most evil man in the SS. After receiving the Iron Cross first and second class while serving in the Army of Württemberg during World War I, Dirlewanger joined the Freikorps and took part in the crushing of the German Revolution of 1918–19. He joined the Nazi Party in 1923. After graduation from Citizens' University, Dirlewanger worked at a bank and a knitwear factory. He became a violent alcoholic, and in 1934 was convicted of the statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl and stealing government property. The Nazi Party expelled him and later compelled him to reapply for membership. After serving a two-year jail sentence, Dirlewanger was released. Soon after, he was arrested again for sexual assault. He was interned in a concentration camp. Desperate, Dirlewanger contacted Gottlob Berger, an old Freikorps comrade who worked closely with Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS. Berger secured his friend's release, after which he travelled to Spain to enlist in the Spanish Foreign Legion. He later transferred to the Condor Legion, a German unit which fought in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) for Franco's Falange Española.

After returning to Germany in 1939, Dirlewanger joined the Allgemeine SS (General-SS) with the rank of SS-Untersturmführer. In mid-1940, after the invasion of Poland, Berger arranged for Dirlewanger to train a partisan-hunting military unit under his own control, composed of men convicted of poaching.

Composition
On 23 March 1940 a department in the Ministry of Justice received a telephone call from Himmler's headquarters informing them that Hitler had decided to give "suspended sentences to so-called 'honorable poachers' and, depending on their behaviour at the front, to pardon them". A confirmation of Hitler's order was sent specifying that the poachers should where possible be Bavarian and Austrian, not be guilty of crimes involving trap setting, and were to be enrolled in marksmen's rifle corps. The men were to combine their knowledge of hunting and woodcraft similar to traditional Jäger elite riflemen with the courage and initiative of those who willingly broke the law. In late May 1940 Dirlewanger was sent to Oranienburg to take charge of 80 selected men convicted of poaching crimes who were temporarily released from their sentences. After two
, a sadist called the most evil man in the SS. After pick up the Iron Cross inaugural and second class while serving in the Army of Württemberg during World War I, Dirlewanger joined the Freikorps and take part in the crushing of the German Revolution of 1918–19. He join the Nazi Party in 1923. After gradation from Citizens' University, Dirlewanger worked at a depository financial institution and a knitwear factory. He became a violent alcoholic, and in 1934 was convict of the statutory rape of a 14 - year - old girl and stealing politics property. The Nazi Party expelled him and subsequently compelled him to reapply for membership. After serving a two - class jail sentence, Dirlewanger was released. Soon after, he was check again for sexual assault. He was intern in a concentration clique. Desperate, Dirlewanger touch Gottlob Berger, an old Freikorps comrade who worked close with Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS. Berger secured his friend's release, after which he travelled to Spain to enlist in the Spanish Foreign Legion. He subsequently transferred to the Condor Legion, a German unit which fought in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) for Franco's Falange Española. 

 After returning to Germany in 1939, Dirlewanger joined the Allgemeine SS (General - SS) with the rank of SS - Untersturmführer. In mid-1940, after the invasion of Poland, Berger arranged for Dirlewanger to train a partisan - hunting military unit under his own control condition, composed of men convict of poach. 

 composing 
 On 23 March 1940 a department in the Ministry of Justice received a telephone call from Himmler's headquarters informing them that Hitler had decided to give " suspended sentences to therefore - called' honorable poachers' and, depending on their behaviour at the front, to excuse them ". A confirmation of Hitler's order was sent specifying that the poachers should where possible be Bavarian and Austrian, not be guilty of crimes involve trap setting, and were to be enrolled in marksmen's rifle corps. The men were to blend their knowledge of hunting and woodcraft similar to traditional Jäger elite riflemen with the courage and initiative of those who willingly broke the law. In late May 1940 Dirlewanger was transport to Oranienburg to take accusation of 80 selected men convict of poaching crimes who were temporarily released from their sentences. After two
, a dadist called the most eyil man in the SS. After receibing the Iron Cross first and second coass qhile serving in the Afmy of Würntemberg euriig World War I, Dmdlewangcx joihcd thz Hreikorps and tpok part it the crushing ow che German Revolution of 1918–19. He joined ehe Nazo Oarty in 1923. Aftet gractatikn from Citizens' University, Dirlewznger wmrked at a bamk and a knitwear factory. Je bfcame a violent alfoholic, and in 1934 qas convictea of the suacutory rape of a 14-year-old girl and stealing govexnment propgxry. Hve Nazi Parvy expvlled him and later cmmpellec him to reappky hor nembership. After servmng a two-year jail sgntence, Dislzwanger was released. Woin afjer, ha war arfesued afain flr aexual asszult. He was interned in a conctntwqtion camp. Deaperatq, Qirlewanger contacted Gottlob Berger, an ols Freikorps comrade who worked closely with Jeinrich Rimmler, the head of the SS. Berger secured his friand's ceueawe, xdtfr which he travelled to Spain to enlist in trs Xpsnish Foreign Jegion. He lstfr jransferred to the Condkr Legion, a German unit wrich dought in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) for Frabco's Falange Wspañola.

After returuing to Germcny in 1939, Dirkewanger joined the Allyemeins SS (Generap-SS) with ffe rank of SS-Untdrsnurmxührer. In mid-1940, after the invwsion of 'olanb, Berger arrsnged sor Dirlewwnger to train a partisaj-huntnng mhlitary unlt under his own control, composxv of men convocded of poacking.

Cokposition
On 23 Iarch 1940 a deparjment in che Mivistry of Nustice received a telephone canp from Himmlxr's headqtartwrs unformive them that Hiyler had btcided to tive "suspended senbencer to so-called 'houutqble poachers' snd, de[ejdmng og their behavhour at yhe ffont, to parbov thrm". A confirmation of Hitmer's order was seny fpecifyibg that ehe poachers xhould where possihle bx Bavacian amd Wustrian, not be guilty of crimss involvlng trap settind, ane were to be enrolled in marksmen's rifle corps. The nen were to combinw their knowledge oy munting and xoodcrwft simildr to traditional Jägwr elite riflemen with the courage and initidtive of those who willingly broke the law. In late May 1940 Dirlewanger was sent ti Oranmegburg to taie cnarge oy 80 xelectqd mxn convicted of posching crimes who were temporarmly releasad from their sentences. After ywu
, a sadist called the most evil the After receiving Iron Cross first in Army of Württemberg World War I, joined the Freikorps and took part the crushing of the German Revolution of 1918–19. He joined the Nazi Party 1923. After graduation from Citizens' University, Dirlewanger worked at a bank and a factory. became violent and in 1934 was convicted of the statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl and stealing government The Nazi Party expelled him and later compelled to reapply for membership. serving a two-year jail sentence, was Soon after, was again sexual assault. He interned in a concentration camp. Desperate, Dirlewanger contacted Gottlob Berger, an old Freikorps comrade who worked closely Heinrich Himmler, of the Berger his release, after which to Spain to enlist in the He later transferred to the Condor Legion, a unit which in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) Franco's Falange Española. After returning to Germany in Dirlewanger joined the Allgemeine SS (General-SS) with the rank of SS-Untersturmführer. In mid-1940, after the Poland, Berger arranged for to train a military under own composed of convicted of poaching. Composition On 23 March 1940 a department in Ministry of Justice received a telephone call from Himmler's headquarters that had decided to "suspended sentences to so-called poachers' depending on their behaviour front, pardon of order sent specifying that the should where possible be Bavarian Austrian, not be guilty and were to be enrolled in marksmen's rifle The men were to combine their knowledge hunting and woodcraft similar to traditional Jäger elite riflemen with the courage initiative of willingly broke the law. In late May 1940 was sent to Oranienburg take charge of 80 selected men convicted of poaching who temporarily released their sentences. After
, a sadist called the most evil mAn in the SS. AFter rEceIviNg The IRon CRoss first and seCOnd cLass while serving in the ARmy of wüRTtemBErG duriNg World wAr i, dIrlEwAnGer JoINeD the FReiKorps anD took part iN thE cRushing of the gErMan RevolutIon Of 1918–19. He joined thE NaZi PartY iN 1923. AfTEr graDuaTion fRom CitIZens' UnIversity, DIrLEwangeR Worked aT A BaNk anD a knitwear factory. hE bECame a violent alCoholiC, aND iN 1934 WAs cOnvIcted of the StAtutoRY rape of A 14-YeAR-OLd gIRl and stealing Government pROpeRty. The naZi PARty expElled HiM And Later compelLed hIm to reappLy for mEMbershiP. after seRving a Two-YeaR jaiL SeNtEncE, DIRleWAnGer WAs rEleased. SOoN aFter, hE was ARRESted AgaIn foR sexuAl assault. He waS inTernED in A concEntraTion CaMp. DesPerate, dirleWaNger contacted GoTtloB Berger, an Old frEikOrPs comRAde who WorKed Closely With HeiNRicH HIMMLeR, the head of the SS. BerGeR SEcUred his fRiend's RElEaSE, after whIcH he TravELLed to spaiN To Enlist in The SpaNIsH FOreign LEgIon. He lAtEr tRanSferrED to tHe CondOr Legion, A GermAN unit which fougHT in the Spanish cIvIL waR (1936–1939) For FRanCo's Falange ESpañOLa.

AfTer rETuRniNG to GeRmany In 1939, dIrLEwanger joined the AllGeMeine Ss (GeneRal-SS) with the rAnk of SS-UntERSTurmführEr. In MId-1940, AFter the invasioN of PoLand, Berger ARranged fOr DirLewanger To train a pARTisan-hunTinG miLitAry UNIt Under his own coNTRol, cOmPosed of Men ConvictEd oF poAchIng.

coMposition
on 23 March 1940 a DePaRtMeNt iN the MINistry of juStiCe RecEived A TelephOne caLl frOm hiMMleR's headqUArTERs inFoRmIng tHem ThAt HitLer hAD deCided to Give "suspeNdeD SentEnCeS to so-caLled 'honorable PoAchers' and, dEpEndIng on tHEIr behaviOur at the front, to pardon thEM". A confiRmaTion oF HitLer's order Was Sent spEciFYing thAt the pOacheRs ShoULD wherE POsSibLe Be Bavarian AND AuStriaN, nOt be Guilty oF crimes involving trAP seTting, and were tO be EnroLLEd In mARkSMen'S rIFle CORps. The men were to Combine theIr KNoWledge of huNTinG aNd woodcRaft simIlar tO TraditiOnal Jäger Elite riflEmEn wiTH The Courage and InitiatiVe of those WHo wilLInGly brOke The law. in LatE May 1940 DIrlewaNGer Was seNt to OrAnIenburG to taKe Charge of 80 Selected men convicted of pOachinG crimEs wHo were temPorARilY released From Their senteNceS. AfTer twO
, a sadist called the most  evil manin th e S S.Af terrece iving the Iron Cros s first and second cla ss wh il e  ser v in g inthe Arm y  o f Wür tt em ber gd ur ing W orl d War I , Dirlewan ger  j oined the Fr e ik orps and t ook  part in the  cr ushing  o f t h e Ger man  Revo lution of 191 8–19. Hejo i ned th e  Nazi P a r ty  in1923. After gradu a ti o n from Citizen s' Uni ve r si t y , D irl ewanger wo rk ed at a banka nd a kni t wear factory.  He becamea  vi olental coh o lic, a nd in  1 9 34was convict ed o f the sta tutory rape of a 14-ye ar-old  gi rlands te al ing  g o ver n me ntp rop erty. Th eNa zi Pa rtye x p e lled  hi m an d lat er compelledhim  tor eap ply f or me mber sh ip. A fter s ervin ga two-year jail  sen tence, Di rle wa nge rwas r e leased . S oon  after,  he was arr es t e d  a gain for sexual as sa u l t.  He wasintern e din a concen tr ati on c a m p. De sper a te , Dirlew angerc on ta cted Go tt lob Be rg er,  an  oldF reik orps c omrade w ho wo r ked closely wi t h Heinrich Hi m ml e r ,t he h ead  of the SS.  Ber g er s ecur e dhis frien d's r el e as e , after which he tr av elledto Sp ain to enlist  in the Sp a n i sh Forei gn L e gi o n. He later tr ansfe rred to th e  CondorLegio n, a Ger man unitw h ich foug htinthe  Sp a n is h Civil War ( 1 9 36–1 93 9) forFra nco's F ala nge  Es pañ ol a.

After  returni ng  t oGe rma ny in 1939, Di rl ewa ng erjoine d  the A llgem eine  S S( Gen eral-SS )  w i t h th era nk o f S S- Unter stur m füh rer. In  mid-1940 , a f terth einvasio n of Poland,Be rger arran ge d f or Dir l e wanger t o train a partisan-hunt i ng mili tar y uni t un der his o wncontro l,c ompose d of m en co nv ict e d  of p o a ch ing .
Compositi o n 
On  23 M ar ch 1 940 a d epartment in the M i nis try of Justic e r ecei v e da t e le p hon ec all f rom Himmler's h eadquarter si nf orming the m  th at  Hitler  had de cided to give  "suspend ed senten ce s to s o-c alled 'hon orable p oachers'a nd, d e pe nding  on  their  b eha viour  at th e  fr ont,to par do n them ". Aco nfirmati on of Hitler's order wa s sent  spec ify ing thatthe poa chers sho uldwhere poss ibl e b e Bav ari a n and  Aus t ri an, not b e gu i lty of cr i me s i n v ol ving trap s e t t ing , and  we r e to b e en rolled in marksme n 's rifle corps . Th e men  we r e to  c ombine their k now le d g e of hun ti ng and wood craft si mi l ar to  tradi tional  Jägere l it e  rifle menwit h the cou rag ea nd init ia ti v e of t hose  w ho wil lingly brok e the law. In late  May1 9 40 Di r lew anger  w as sent to O ranienburg  to take ch arge o f 80  sele cted me nconvic ted  o f poaching crimes wh o wer e tempo ra rily  re leased  fro m their  sen te nce s. Aftert w o
, a_sadist called_the most evil man_in the_SS._After receiving_the_Iron Cross first_and second class_while serving in the_Army of Württemberg_during_World War I, Dirlewanger joined the Freikorps and took part in the crushing of_the_German Revolution_of_1918–19._He joined the Nazi Party_in 1923. After graduation from_Citizens' University,_Dirlewanger worked at a bank and a knitwear_factory._He became a_violent alcoholic, and in 1934 was convicted of the_statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl_and stealing government_property._The_Nazi Party expelled him_and later compelled him to reapply_for membership. After serving a two-year_jail sentence, Dirlewanger was released. Soon after,_he was arrested again for sexual_assault. He was interned in_a concentration_camp. Desperate, Dirlewanger contacted Gottlob_Berger, an old_Freikorps comrade_who worked closely_with Heinrich Himmler, the head of_the SS. Berger_secured his friend's release, after which_he_travelled to Spain_to_enlist_in the_Spanish Foreign Legion._He_later transferred_to_the Condor Legion, a German unit_which_fought in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)_for Franco's Falange Española.

After_returning_to Germany in 1939,_Dirlewanger joined the Allgemeine SS_(General-SS) with the rank of SS-Untersturmführer._In mid-1940,_after the_invasion of Poland, Berger arranged for Dirlewanger to train a partisan-hunting_military unit under his own control,_composed of men convicted_of poaching.

Composition
On_23_March 1940 a_department_in the_Ministry of Justice received a telephone call_from Himmler's_headquarters informing them that Hitler had_decided to give "suspended_sentences_to so-called 'honorable poachers' and, depending_on their behaviour at the front,_to pardon them". A confirmation_of_Hitler's_order was sent specifying that_the poachers should where possible be_Bavarian and Austrian,_not be guilty of crimes involving trap_setting,_and were to be enrolled in_marksmen's_rifle corps. The men were to_combine_their_knowledge of hunting and woodcraft_similar to traditional Jäger elite riflemen_with the courage and initiative of those who willingly_broke the law._In late May 1940 Dirlewanger_was_sent_to Oranienburg to take charge of 80 selected men convicted_of poaching_crimes who were_temporarily released from their sentences. After two