Werner Best (1903-1989)

SS-Obergruppenführer (General) and lawyer. Head of Department 1 in the RSHA (Reich Security Main Office) and the deputy of Reinhard Heydrich from 1939-1940. In this capacity Best was one of the people responsible for the development of RSHA as the most important instrument in the Nazi Jewish policy. In 1940 Best was appointed head of the civilian administration at the German High Command in France, a position he kept until 1942. In 1942 he was appointed German Reich Plenipotentiary in Denmark, a position he kept until the end of the war. As Reich Plenipotentiary Best was the highest ranking German official in occupied Denmark. In 1948 he was sentenced to death in a Danish court, but pardoned and released in 1951. Best was never accused or sentenced for his actions while employed in the Nazi security police.