Karl Hanke (second from left), Gauleiter, organising the (pointless) defence of "Fortress Breslau" against the Soviet Red Army, 1945.  Having skipped Breslau just before the Comrades rolled in, Hanke was subsequently named Reich Leader of the SS (the fifth in all) in succession to the disgraced Himmler, in Hitler's political testament.  It is not clear whether he ever became aware of his elevation.  He was, as far as can be determined, killed while attempting to escape from a POW camp (wearing a Waffen-SS private's uniform) by a Czech soldier.  The end of an interesting and curious Nazi career - but that is a different story ... Best regards, JR.

The last Reichsfuhrer-SS.

The future Reichsfuhrer-SS as a boy (centre), flanked by his elder brother Gebhard and his younger brother Ernst.  Heinrich admired Gebhard, and envied him his WW1 experience (Gebhard was in that war for about its last year, in the course of which he was awarded the Iron Cross, Second and First Class).  Gebhard also led the way when it came to involvement in postwar extreme right-wing paramilitary formations, with younger brother Heinrich an enthusiastic follower.  Who knows ?  Had it not been for all the martial sibling envy, Heinrich might have finished up as a loyal Nazi chicken farmer ...  Best regards, JR.

The Himmler brothers.

Dr Paul Joseph Goebbels and Magda Quandt pass through Brownshirt guard of honour on their occasion of their wedding, 19 December 1931.  Magda is accompanied by her son by her first marriage, future Luftwaffe officer Harald Quandt, in mini-Brownshirt garb.  Behind Harald, in a sensible winter hat, can be seen one of the witnesses at the wedding - Adolf Hitler.  Best regards, JR.