Catching Kaltenbrunner - The Hunt for Himmler's Evil Giant

Dr. Ernst Kaltenbrunner, the tall, scar-faced Austrian who became Himmler's No.2 man in the SS, disappeared at war's end. An US Army Counter Intelligence Corps team got a lead on him and hunted him deep into the Austrian Alps. This is the story of how the CIC managed to track down this significant war criminal and bring him to justice.
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA, is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.o...
Visit my audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Primary Source: 'The Last Days of Ernst Kaltenbrunner', released 22 September 1993, Central Intelligence Agency, cia.org
Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress; LNieminen; PimboliDD; C. Stadler; Taranis-iuppiter; Michael Maringer; Bernhard Holub; Tiger Duck; Herzi Pink; Quickload; Swedish Army Museum

[@JosephJones.357sig]

I have a Masters Degree in World History, with my specialty in WW2 the European Theater. I just found your channel a few days ago. I have been binge watching ever since. I just wanted to comment and let you know how much I enjoy your content, it's both informative and entertaining. I look forward to watching more of your videos, and thank you for keeping History alive.

[@OptimusPrinceps_Augustus]

Mine is Roman

[@shimondauber8984]

Hi Joseph, Regretfully, he is much too 'busy' to read your very kind comments.

[@DavidMcdonald-df8tb]

​@@shimondauber8984You call him Dr.Jones!❤

[@Bradydog-in7ut]

The rest of us WW2 fanatics have been watching for years!

[@openphoto]

Haha you have a while to go. ❤

[@kryptc744]

Kaltenbrunner's physical description reminds me a lot of Otto Skorzeny

[@Irritant1000]

It wouldnt suprise you that they were best buds to lol

[@fokkerd3red618]

He definitely didn't have the same intelligence as Otto.

[@DeepTexas]

yes… both gigantic assholes

[@stefanschleps8758]

They came from the same school. The ancestors of such men stopped the expansion of the Roman Empire. (Ironically these were freedom loving men.) Which people is it who learn from history? The political pendulum never ceases to swing left to right and back again. Bastion of liberty and democracy now, where will America be in five years time? Food for thought. 😮

[@stefanschleps8758]

​@@fokkerd3red618😅 Yeah, he had a wife and a girlfriend.

[@browngreen933]

Two stories about the American OSS officer who captured SS General Dr. Ernst Kaltenbrunner mentioned in the video, Robert Matteson, whom I knew in his retirement years. Matteson still had Kaltenbrunner's Kripo #2 identification disc (Himmler was #1) in the 1990s when I knew him, recovered from the woodstove that Mark mentioned in the Totesgebirge hut. Matteson also confiscated Kaltenbrunner's Gestapo #2 disc, but that was stolen from him after the war during a trip to India. Matteson had the Gestapo disk with him in a restaurant and got to talking to a Jewish gentleman, who wanted to see it. Matteson obliged him, then excused himself to use the restroom for a moment. When he came back the Jewish gentleman and Kaltenbrunner's #2 Gestapo badge were gone. The other story is when my father and I visited Matteson at his palatial summer home with 250 acres of frontage on a pristine lake in Northern Wisconsin. My father, a veteran of the U.S. 5th Armoured Division in WW2 that ended up facing the Russians on the Elbe River, wanted to meet him. We had a nice visit. Matteson was a gracious host. But after we left my dad remarked to me: "How the heck does a guy on a civil servant's salary end up with a house and property like that? I'll bet that he got some of that missing Nazi gold."

[@phaasch]

This leads me to wonder what on earth was Robert Matteson doing in India with Kaltenbruñer's Gestapo disk? More so, why on earth would you hand over that disc to a complete stranger, and then excuse oneself? There's much more to that story, I believe

[@johnhallett5846]

@@phaasch I think he gave it to him

[@ShamileII]

Jew and stealing lol....can't make that up!

[@browngreen933]

@@johnhallett5846 Matteson gave it to him to look at, not to keep.

[@mozdickson]

Disgusting anti-semitic trope. I've reported it. Are you a Nazi following any Nazi content? ​@@ShamileII

[@angelvillamor4838]

Thank you once again Dr. Mark Felton for a fascinating view of History.

[@viisteist1363]

oy vey, she only left out all of the communists and b0Isheviks from the fascinating view of "history"

[@71ibanez]

Certainly one of the most fearsome looking,straight out of central casting!

[@rabbi120348]

You can almost see the bolts in his neck.

[@markwilliams546]

@@rabbi120348 Was Thinking the exact same thing, i've Heard of Frankenstein's Monster, now we've got Hitler's Monster!

[@sixmax11]

he likely was

[@iainweller452]

The capture of Axis power leaders is always a fascinating subject, thanks again Dr Felton

[@stefanschleps8758]

Thank you Professor Felton. You brought this story, as usual, to life. All the best. Greetings from Wien!

[@shimondauber8984]

If he is a professor - it's not in History.

[@davidmorgan9215]

​@@shimondauber8984 He's a fellow at the Royal Historical Society lol. So he quite literally is a professor of history

[@shimondauber8984]

@davidmorgan9215 then, he should use the title.

[@NorceCodine]

Most PhD-s never actually receive an academic appointment.

[@SerhiyP89]

Better than Netflix is only Dr Felton videos

[@markholroyde9412]

LMAO at the "bot" generated replies...get real...

[@tabletaccount9282]

Nifty transition at 1:31, Dr. Felton. And thank you for yet another fascinating bio.

[@elfelix8843]

Love your quality work Dr Felton, please never stop ☺️

[@bobg5362]

American GI: "Hände hoch, Kaltenbrunner!" Kaltenbrunner: "You got the wrong guy - you're looking for that OTHER 6'4" SS officer with dueling scars on his face."

[@quakethedoombringer]

That other scarred face dude: "Peace out, sucka"

[@wyldebill4178]

My grandfather served in the 80th Infantry Division. I imagine him seeing all that beautiful scenery.

[@ricosuave4465]

When I die, I want Mr Felton to narrate my eulogy and his background music to start it like he is doing a video.

[@MrGraveyTrainOnBiscuitWheels]

🤣🤣🤣 That would be epic. He's gotta also make it seem your evil sometimes in ways like he does with the Nazis and plays his crazy plot twist cliffhanger evil music lol

[@frankgesuele6298]

@@MrGraveyTrainOnBiscuitWheels That he lived under a false ID after using the Rat line.

[@ricosuave4465]

@@MrGraveyTrainOnBiscuitWheels Wouldn't be difficult.

[@joeswampdawghenry]

Lol

[@OtaBengaBokongo]

you're just 12, when you become an adult you'll change your mind

[@Berlin-Kladow]

I’m always shocked at how highly educated people can implement barbaric practices. But these people are worldwide , not one nationality is guilty

[@Karrpilot]

It's called being an opportunist. The smarter one is, the more opportunities await.

[@bbkGT3]

Civilization is very wide but also extremely thin.

[@Everythingallthetime666]

Like Obama, highly educated yet had his Nobel peace prize withdrawn because of the estimated 800,000 dead from his bombing campaigns overseas... makes you wonder.

[@controlleddemolition9112]

If you set aside the virulent anti-semitism and "master race" nonsense, Nazi leaders operated in the same way as every other functionary in every other government. They followed orders. Once you agree to become a tool of The State, questions of right or wrong barely even register.

[@allewis4008]

Ask a Palestinian.

[@thegadphly3275]

Mentioning My father's Div, 80th, and regiment in the hunt was surprising. What little we know of their adventure . Thanks

[@tpl608]

I am not sure they should call it an adventure and am not sure they would call a war they were in an adventure either.

[@WilliamEspinosa-f8d]

It's always a pleasure watching and learning with you sir. You are very appreciated. Love and respect from Maine USA ❤ 👊🇺🇲

[@Embarking-on-a-new-adventure]

Fun fact: the oldest son, Hansjörg (president of the local chess club) was a friend of Bobby Fisher. Bobby Fisher visited him in 1999.

[@sixmax11]

did he know that bobby fisher was jewish?

[@itsawoodchuck4330]

@sixmax11 Only part Jewish. Do you know what Bobby himself said about the Jews?

[@vanroeling2930]

Love your footage of Austria which is beyond beautiful! I spent a week there last year in Salzburg and Vienna. It’s incredible that such beauty could harbor such evil!

[@JohnSmith-xw5qe]

Nature has an ugly side?

[@RyMac87]

The Land of Aryans

[@soldierprincess8422]

Thank you Professor Felton, learning history from you is always a pleasure :)

[@moosa9850]

Somebody has been doing loads of research. Your videos are amazing

[@EdMcF1]

They are all hiding in his basement.

[@moosa9850]

@EdMcF1 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bretfisher7286]

This was, as always, impeccably done, Dr. Felton. I thoroughly enjoyed the piece, and thank you.

[@Mark-yy2py]

I believe you are the foremost authority on WW2 and 20th century European history. Unmatched.

[@Icarianbrother]

Great video! Hopefully, the monsters responsible for the current genocide will one day be brought to justice.

[@Cherb123456]

I live in Bad Ischl, interesting & enlightening to hear such stories! Thank you!

[@ArnieCooper-r3g]

Proving once again how complex the end of the war was in the ETO. The Rump Reich and the Alpine redoubt are among the many fascinating details I've learned here. Thank you, Professor Felton!

[@molecule101]

There's a book called Windswept Lies of War, and it talks from censored history and hidden secrets to lost files and classified documents about World War II, it's the real deal.

[@kingjoe3rd]

It's kind of weird that the Interpol website proudly displays his name as well as Heyrich's on their website to this very day.

[@MrAitraining]

I'm good with that. We have to stop burying history

[@stevetournay6103]

​@@MrAitrainingBearing in mind that commemoration and celebration are two different things, yes...

[@MrAitraining]

@@stevetournay6103 yes but I went to the interpol site and there is no celebrating. It lists all the presidents up to 2021 with no commentary so the original comment of "proudly" is overstated. They are just on a list. Like I said "history"

[@kingjoe3rd]

@@MrAitrainingit was up there until fairly recently. You can use an archive site to look.

[@roseanne74]

Thank you, once again, Dr Felton. Your casts are an excellent way for high school modern history students to learn WWII history!

[@judebrown2672]

I was terrible at history in school. I concentrated on the scientific subjects and music. This channel is fantastic and I've learnt so much. Thanks so much.😊

[@poormansgunz8032]

The information you provide is necessary for history. I enjoy the content you provide

[@Mr._Infamous]

You just assume it's all true as well, don't you? Oh well, everybody plays the fool.

[@MadCow999]

@@Mr._Infamous Really, Mr. Infamous? Go ahead and show your proof.

[@ChristoffRevan]

​@@Mr._InfamousWhat an absolute L take

[@kbanghart]

​@@Mr._InfamousHarris won California 🎉

[@Mr._Infamous]

@@kbanghart probably

[@AbbyNormL]

I have been watching your videos for years and want to commend you for them. I began studying WWII in the 1970s and there are still many things I do not know or understand. Your videos are among the best WWII historical videos I have seen. Thank you.

[@ProfessorM-he9rl]

Thank you for this post, much appreciated as always.

[@GriefTourist]

Someone found his SS seal in a lake a few years ago, wonder what condition it was in and what happened to it.

[@mikesmith-po8nd]

Maybe he threw it away when he went into hiding? That's pretty common.

[@openphoto]

I'd check that lake for gold

[@milehighclassics]

Sold for houses to be built on

[@thehumancanary131]

@@milehighclassics I was unaware he had a pet seal....

[@thEannoyingE]

I’ve been waiting a while for this one. Thank you for finally covering this bastard.

[@ivan.jeremic]

Never expected that you will mention my town Gmunden lol.

[@greglammers9905]

Another great lesson. Thank you Dr Felton.

[@salvadorromero9712]

The Central European tradition of fencing with sharp swords in university might be an interesting topic for a video of its own!

[@RB-qq1ky]

@salvadorromero9712 There is at least one video on here already which explains the practice and how it was done. Search for the term ‘Academic Fencing’ or ‘Mensur’

[@sixmax11]

thought they did that wearing masks

[@davidlogansr8007]

It’s fun to watch the “likes” Counter spin when one clicks on one of Dr. Felton’s masterpieces! I may have been first, but the counter stayed at zed after clicking on it.( ??) Thank You Dr. Mark Felton for another Great detail from the World War 2 era!

[@marvwatkins7029]

I was just listening to the text of his interrogation. What a coincidence!

[@GriefTourist]

Got a link ?

[@borodarust870]

@@GriefTourist в 2024 году ты не можешь найти информацию? МИКРОБ

[@sailordude2094]

Kaltenbrunner worked on the flying bell project too. Operation Paperclip probably scooped him up. (oh, I guess not, lol) Thanks for the video Mark!

[@patavinity1262]

No such thing.

[@Nathan-ng1jt]

As an Undergrad from the 90's in History, (all rather analogue compared to today) I studied WW2 in depth. Dr Martin Polley was a wonderful lecturer of mine in that regard. Your content never fails to fascinate and educate me. Thank you Mark.

[@andrewrolfe4334]

Thank you, sir, for all your hard work. History always intrigued me and was always my favorite subject in school, however, I learned little in comparison to what I learn from your comprehensive and entertaining videos. Absolutely the best source of real history anywhere. Again, many thanks.

[@Adiscretefirm]

I really need to get off yt and make a call...oooohhhh new Dr Felton, it'll wait

[@antongerber7370]

Fascinating as always, thank you Mark, so important to keep history alive. Just well done again mate.

[@andygossard4293]

Thank you Professor Felton

[@mitchmatthews6713]

My favorite dinner entertainment, a Felton video! Cheers, Mark!

[@samwinzenburg8103]

Thank you for the service Mark 🫡

[@markmuldoon805]

It's these fascinating snippets of history that make watching your videos such a pleasure. Well done. You do have a knack of building the suspense of the hunt, no matter that the monster was hanged in the end.

[@maxnielsen7667]

I have learned so much from Dr Feltons contributions. Many thanks.

[@sam28600]

Very interesting videos. A lot of work done on this. Thank you from a norwegian who lost his grandfather in the war.

[@RyMac87]

To the Russians? Was he in the SS Division Wiking? SS Regiment Nordland?

[@sam28600]

@@RyMac87 No no, he was in the resistance, home front. He was executed in The Trandum massacre where the SS and german army killed 173 norwegians, 6 british and 16 sovjets.

[@AgentSmith-w8s]

Thank you mark,incredible research as usual.

[@garyw8481]

Another enlightening story from the great Dr Felton! Thank you Sir!

[@geemeff]

This is another awesome video from MF. Thank you. Definitely the best ww2 documentaries on KZbin.

[@Hidfhjccbxcbhc]

Dr Mark Felton i love your videos and how you narrate the history of the WWII. Fascinating, keep offering such amazing documentary thank you very much.

[@DeannaAllison]

I found this really fascinating. I moved from Norfolk in England to Upper Austria several years ago, and many of the places shown in this video are familiar to me!

[@gerryrussell5325]

Sir, each of your presentations surpasses the last. Thank you.

[@KellyOGrady-jm9hr]

Another great bio. TY, Dr. F.

[@antonchigurh6590]

Vary well narrated Dr. Mark Felton! Another vary interesting part of history.

[@johngquinn77]

Another amazing video by Dr Felton. I love WW2 history and this channel shines in explaining all about the stories during WW2. Explained so well with Dr Felton. Well done👏🏻

[@gertgilich3508]

Great doccie! Thanks Mark.

[@georgekacena8976]

There’s much to watch and listen to on KZbin. Mark Felton’s channels are some of the most worthwhile to watch and listen to.

[@susannjarvis5587]

Fascinating video as always. Thank you for your continued investigation and reporting of history.

[@Ronbo1948]

WOW! Quite an adventure story in the last part of the video! Well researched with excellent video and narrative! Well done, Mark Felton!

[@gregoryl869]

Just outstanding, I've subscribed through Patreon and watched many of Dr Felton's videos. The narration and accompanying photos are superb.

[@paulpowell4871]

imagine having these kind of trials and information at all wars? Amazing details

[@fisterklister]

After the war Austria was treated as a victim of the nazis which is grotesque, but the cold war had already begun.

[@AllisterCaine]

And now they are Russias puppet.

[@CatnamedMittens]

How about a video on Klaus Barbie?

[@brianivey73]

Thank you Dr Felton for another outstanding video

[@xaviergarcia165]

Thank you Mark for this one.

[@walterbillings7575]

Masterful investigation and following story.

[@junestanich7888]

Great work Mark as usual, thanks!😊

[@J0einOK]

Very good segment, Doc. Really enjoyed the photos, too.

[@tombarnes1871]

Well done Dr. Mark!!

[@ericdanielski4802]

Nice video.

[@vinccentjames7539]

Great work on this video...exciting to watch

[@Darbocepus907]

Keep uploading,your history is very precise and down to every detail,you talk about stuff no one else does,have a goodnight .

[@sv5813]

Forced union of Austria? Pictures I’ve seen with Hitler’s triumphant entrance in Austria had throngs of people throwing roses in front of his Mercedes!

[@Raven6794]

Many Austrians were enthusiastic. Whether that was the majority or not is hard to say but it can be considered forced simply on the grounds that it was don’t without any democratic vote.

[@perspectivedetective2703]

The Blumenkrieg.

[@perspectivedetective2703]

@@Raven6794 im pretty sure they had a referendum voting to rejoin

[@perspectivedetective2703]

@@Raven6794 1938 Austrian Anschluss referendum

[@tomhenry897]

Would you throw bottles

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks Mark for another great video. I don't comment too often because all l could really say is WOW ! I'm convinced you have a time machine hidden somewhere ! Thanks again for all your great works !

[@paulmurphy42]

An intergalactically high level of quality - well done and KEEP 'EM COMING MARK! By the way, please answer me this question: What is the piece of equipment over Heydrich's shoulder at 1:51? It has a sort of board with lights that light up? What is it?

[@BruceWayne-mk9km]

They were evil but no one who has some intelligence can overlook the charisma around them.

[@stephengoodwin6403]

Wonderful video,Dr. Felton.Yes,some of those Austrian boys get pretty tall.Most histories don;t mention Kaltenbrunner much,even though he must have overseen Operation Reinhard.great research,as always

[@paulmartin4971]

Thanks Mark great video, that's something else I didn't know about another History lesson cheers 🍻

[@maxcoldest7196]

Thank U, Sir! Very well done! Love the background photos and info!

[@n.v.1258]

Wow, Mark keeps producing excitement 😀

[@loiclaronche5675]

Again, another excellent video by Dr Felton. Thank you.

[@faithlesshound5621]

Kaltenbrunner went to school with Adolf Eichmann. The same Gymnasium in Linz had hosted both Adolf Hitler and Ludwig Wittgenstein a couple of decades earlier: Wittgenstein was moved up a year ahead of his age-group, while Hitler had to repeat a year, so they may not have met.

[@theculturedthug6609]

Even the Thugs had PhDs back in those days.

[@wr1120]

Back then it was easier to get a PhD, especially in law. But I read somewhere that quite a lot of Germans pursued an academic career because it was one of the few ways to get into the establishment if you weren't born into it already.

[@GriefTourist]

High achievers have always had lots of thugs extremists and psychopaths among them. They don't even have to use violence to get their way like the lower orders do, that's what makes them even scarier and omnipotent.

[@theculturedthug6609]

​@@wr1120 Did you know Katlebrunner basically groomed Adolf Eichmann from a young adult to do his dirty work then basically told him to pee off when he was on the run and needed somewhere to stay. Katlebrunner allegedly said "I don't associate with mass murderers it's not good for my image" 😂

[@Demy1970]

I still wonder why these guys didn’t have planes for Spain

[@tomhenry897]

No it wasn’t Had no dei

[@kenipe99]

Kaltenbrunner had a doctorate in law. A reminder that education without a strong moral compass is destructive.

[@dhowe5180]

That describes most lawyers

[@Raven6794]

I have always found it interesting that so many of Hitlers worst acolytes were Austrian by birth. I know people of Austrian ancestry who are always quick to claim that the whole thing was forced upon them and they really wanted nothing to do with it. The evidence seems to suggest that a great many Austrians were very enthusiastic when the going was good. I wonder if any studies have been done looking at just how wide spread Austrians support for the Nazis really was.

[@jeffkeith637]

have you heard of how scenes for "The Sound of Music" movie came to be filmed on location in Salzburg?

[@lunsmann]

The Governator - Arnold has been quite vocal in regard to his nazi father and his fathers nazi friends. Suggesting it was quite prevalent until the poo hit the fan.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

I guess that's what happens when a large percentage of a country's population perceive themselves to be doing it tough (as they were post-Depression) and get suckered into voting in a professional con-artist who is promising all and sundry that he has the cure for it all. In fact, for those lucky enough to survive the war, their lives did go from starvation to riding in Mercedes in a very short time. No thanks to the con-artist though.

[@peterstadlmaier3107]

@@lunsmann Jup, my grandparents were also devoted Nazis. The were so-called "Illegale" - people who joined the NSDAP when it was forbidden 1934-38. Those people got special privileges after the "Anschluss". In case of my grandparents they got an appartement, most likely confiscated from jews. Granny even took a portrait of Hitler to her retirement home. Fun fact: Although she hated jews (which she openly acclaimed), she often used jiddish for cursing.

[@rogercarbonell3696]

El numero uno was Austrian himself

[@csaint6780]

I always wondered who this scared faced guy was, now i know!! Thanks Mr Felton.

[@stephenmoerlein8470]

Interesting that Heydrich and Kaltenbrunner were presidents of Interpol. Thanks for the interesting content!

[@rickestabrook4987]

Mr. Felton, I'm grateful that you do this amazing data mining to provide such documented evidence of WW2 activities, well below the usual 50K foot view. Your fact-finding, plus your excellent video and text storytelling are unique. Thank you,

[@borerunner8659]

Stunning research. Very fascinating.

[@shannonsullivan1968]

Another excellent video Dr. Felton.

[@suepalin9202]

The higher ranks of the SS appeared to have a number of lawyers...Thanks, Mark, for another excellent video!

[@TankerBricks]

Mark. Thanks for providing my Wednesday night entertainment!

[@pierremainstone-mitchell8290]

As usual Mark, well done indeed!

[@Teddy-mj9wd]

Another Felton masterpiece..

[@markrobinowitz8473]

I like the solar panel on the hut. Hope it has a plaque or something to commemorate the capture.

[@Buddy-nt6rd]

If you have laws against questioning history then that leads to more questions. It's very suspect behavior….

[@anthonyjamieson3875]

Agreed: history should be able to withstand critical inquiry. No matter where it would lead.

[@GriefTourist]

True, unfortunately thanks to certain people and their cowardly mostly conservative gatekeepers the west is becoming the new Soviet bloc.

[@FFNOJG]

yes but the Jews did die in poland. Its incontrovertible that the trains did not move them beyond those camps.

[@philhawley1219]

@@anthonyjamieson3875 And now history is being rewritten by propagandists who make Goebbels look like Enid Blyton.

[@nancym5341]

Welcome to the new america