Definition
Arnold Strippel was a German National Socialist (Nazi) Party member and SS officer who was convicted after World War II of participating in war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Nazi concentration camps.
Overview
- Birth and death: Arnold Strippel was born on 11 May 1912 in Hamburg, Germany, and died on 7 January 1994.
- Nazi affiliation: He joined the Nazi Party (NSDAP) and the Schutzstaffel (SS) in the 1930s, rising to the rank of Sturmbannführer (major).
- Camp service: During the war, Strippel served as a guard and senior staff officer at several concentration camps, most notably Buchenwald and later the sub‑camp at the SS‑training facility in Hainichen. In this capacity he was involved in the administration of forced labour, brutal disciplinary measures, and the execution of prisoners.
- Post‑war prosecution: After Germany’s defeat, Strippel was arrested by Allied authorities and handed over to the West German judicial system. In 1948 he was tried before the Buchenwald trial court and was convicted of murder and other crimes against the civilian population, receiving a sentence of life imprisonment. In 1951 his sentence was reduced on appeal, and he was released from prison in 1970.
- Later life: Following his release, Strippel lived a relatively private life, working as a civil engineer. His post‑war activities occasionally attracted public criticism, especially when he attempted to claim compensation for wartime injuries, but no further criminal proceedings were instituted against him.
Etymology/Origin
- Arnold – a Germanic given name derived from the Old High German elements arn “eagle” and wald “power, ruler”.
- Strippel – a German surname; the precise linguistic origin is not clearly documented, but it may be a regional variant of names such as Stripp or Strippmann, possibly indicating an occupational or locational source. Accurate information on the surname’s etymology is not confirmed.
Characteristics
- Military rank: Sturmbannführer (SS major).
- Roles: Guard, supervisory officer, and later a member of the camp’s internal security staff.
- Criminal record: Convicted of multiple counts of murder, manslaughter, and participation in crimes against humanity; sentenced to life imprisonment, later commuted.
- Post‑war status: Acquitted of additional charges in the 1960s; lived as a civilian until his death in 1994.
Related Topics
- Schutzstaffel (SS)
- Buchenwald concentration camp
- Nazi war crimes trials in post‑war Germany
- German judicial handling of Nazi perpetrators
- Crimes against humanity and the development of international law after World II.