Deaths on February 26

Theodor Eicke

Died on February 26, 1943

Theodor Eicke, German general (b. 1892)

Theodor Eicke (17 October 1892 – 26 February 1943) was a senior SS functionary during the Nazi era. He was one of the key figures in the development of Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust.

Eicke served as the second commandant of the Dachau concentration camp from June 1933 to July 1934, and together with his adjutant Michael Lippert, was one of the executioners of SA Chief Ernst Röhm during the Night of the Long Knives purge. In 1939, Eicke became commander of the SS Division Totenkopf of the Waffen-SS, leading the division during the Second World War on the Western and Eastern fronts, and continuing to expand and develop the concentration camp system.

Eicke was killed on 26 February 1943, when his plane was shot down during the Third Battle of Kharkov.

References

Theodor Eicke

Choose Another Date

Events on 1943

11 Feb

Dwight D. Eisenhower
World War II: General Dwight D. Eisenhower is selected to command the allied armies in Europe.
30 May

Auschwitz concentration camp
The Holocaust: Josef Mengele becomes chief medical officer of the Zigeunerfamilienlager (Romani family camp) at Auschwitz concentration camp.
19 Jun

Pittsburgh Steelers
The Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL merge for one season due to player shortages caused by World War II.
6 Nov

Kiev
World War II: The Soviet Red Army recaptures Kiev. Before withdrawing, the Germans destroy most of the city's ancient buildings.
4 Dec

Josip Broz Tito
World War II: In Yugoslavia, resistance leader Marshal Josip Broz Tito proclaims a provisional democratic Yugoslav government in-exile.

Deaths on February 26

Theodor Eicke

Died on February 26, 1943

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1943

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Auschwitz concentration camp

Pittsburgh Steelers

Kiev

Josip Broz Tito