early life and education
dr. ernst becker, a mid-ranking functionary in the ss of nazi germany and chemist in the reich security main office (rsha), was born in 1900 in staufenberg, germany. he studied chemistry and physics at the university of giessen, earning his phd degree in chemistry in 1933.
career and involvement with the nazi regime
becker joined the nazi party in 1930 and the ss in 1931. he was assigned to the ss-regiment 'germania' at bad arolsen, a small resort town near kassel, in central germany. his role involved providing important technical support for the development of gas chambers and vans with a gas chamber built into the back compartment, used in early nazi mass murder of disabled people, political dissidents, jews, and other 'racial enemies'. this included involvement with action t4 and the einsatzgruppen (mobile nazi death squads) in the nazi-occupied portions of the soviet union.
notable involvement and controversy
personal involvement in gas chamber operations: on at least one occasion, becker personally gassed about 20 people, highlighting his direct involvement in the atrocities committed by the nazi regime.
later life and death
becker was promoted to the rank of ss-untersturmführer (second lieutenant). he died in 1967.
relevant artworks and museums
- max ernst's europe after the rain i (view on ArtsDot.com) showcases the artist's unique style, a stark contrast to becker's involvement in the nazi regime.
- the suermondt-ludwig-museum (view on ArtsDot.com) in aachen, germany, is an example of a cultural institution that has contributed to the understanding and remembrance of germany's complex history.
- dr. ernst becker's own artistic contributions are not notable; however, his involvement with the nazi regime serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed during world war ii.
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