The Attempt on the Life of Reinhard Heydrich, Architect of the "Final Solution": A Review of his Treatment and Autopsy

Abstract

Reinhard Heydrich, architect of the "Final solution of the Jewish problem," had a meteoric career in the SS. He organized the Wannsee Conference and created the SS killing squads. Under his leadership as Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia, the suppression of the Czech community was brutal. An attempt on his life in Prague was unsuccessful but it left him severely injured and he died eight days later. Reviewing the available information on his hospital treatment and the autopsy report, it is suggested that Heydrich received substandard medical treatment, quite likely a result of political interference from rival members of the SS hierarchy.