Reinhard Heydrich

Heydrich, Reinhard (1904–42), German Nazi leader, head of the security police, chief deputy to Himmler, head of the SS and organizer of the extermination of European Jews. Known as “the Hangman,” he was assassinated in 1942 by Czech resistance forces. In retaliation, the Nazis destroyed the town of Lidice, Czechoslovakia.

See also: Nazism.