(1904-1942)

Popularly nicknamed "The Butcher of Prague," Heydrich was actually born in the town of Halle in Saxony. Its most illustrious son was no, not Heydrich, but George Friedrich Handle, who composed the famous "Hallelujah Chorus." Always a favourite of us at this ministry, especially at Christmas.

Heydrich's father, Bruno was a prominent musician. Being an Evangelical Christian, it seems and a Freemason of the Orient Lodge!

His mother, Elizabeth, however was a devout practising Catholic and it would be her choice to have the young Reinhardt baptised a Catholic. In later years Heydrich would include the political Catholic church as an enemy of Nazi Germany (but hadn't the Nazis signed a concordat with the Vatican?) Also in his future sights were the Jews and Freemasons (wonder what his old dad thought about this grudge of his son?) Yet I suspect the old saying, "Once a catholic always a catholic," would always apply to Heydrich and his conscience-if indeed he had one!

In 1931 he married Lina, herself a catholic, who had been convent educated. They would have three children. All are still alive today.

Soon after his Nazi career started to accelerate, whispers began to be heard that his blood might be contaminated with Jewish traces-not a good thing for a Nazi to recognise about himself. Naturally Heydrich denied such a charge. But one has to ask if it were true then what tribe was Heydrich descended from? Might I suggest the tribe of Dan? Who first appear in Genesis and have disappeared by Revelation! Interestingly Heydrich would expire in hospital of septicaemia blood poising in Prague after the orchestrated assassination attempt. So it's all in the blood as they say!

During the next ten blood thirsty years, Heydrich in "his Luciferic coldness of emotion....and lust for power," would as Hitler's loyal henchman, happily sign death orders for thousands of opponents and send generations of Jews to the concentration camps. (This so-called final solution had been decided at the Wannsee conference 1942. Look out for the actor Kenneth Brannagh portraying Heydrich in the BBC film of this event. Some Brilliant acting on his part.)

But it would all end for Heydrich, when in 1942, a botched attempt planned by the British Secret Service-actually succeeded. Heydrich would die after three suffering days in a Prague hospital. Later the town of Lidice would be eradicated as a reprisal with many more being murdered at the hands of the S.S. Few it now seems had anything to do with Heydrich's murder anyway.

The Nazi stage was then choreographed for two funerals of sickening pomp and Nazi ritual. The first was held in Prague where the body was brought to the Hradshin Palace. Naturally to lie in state. Interestingly the Catholic Archbishop of Prague, requested with other brother Bishops, to participate in the ceremony, even suggesting the bells of the cathedral be rang in tribute to this Nazi Butcher! Himmler, after consideration, declined the request. But I suspect Heydrich would have relished this gesture from his own church. He may even have been offered the last sacraments after a suggestion from his wife for a priest to be called to the bedside. Who knows?

Later in Berlin "This evil young god of death," as someone named him, was honoured with a hero's funeral. Hitler naturally attended as well as Heydrich's two young grieving sons (watching a grainy film of the event, I could see neither his wife Lina or her daughter-not sure why. But I'm sure the Vatican nuncio was there!)

For the occasion two memorial stamps were issued.

Since the Wars end and the death of his wife in 1985, confusion has reigned of where Heydrich is actually buried.

Rumour has yet to be confirmed that he was transported to the family vault of his late wife's family on the beautiful Island of Fehmarn. (Incidentally Jimi Hendrix played a gig there in 1970. There's even talk of a possible statue to be erected to no, not Heydrich, but Hendrix on the Island.)

I'm told on a clear night you can hear the wail of Jimi Hendrix's guitar as he plays "purple haze." (Was Hendrix another dead pop star who sold his soul to the devil-do see our link page for videos.) But remember in Hell, dear friend, "There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 13:42.) If that doesn't concern you-then I don't know what will.

For Heydrich it's all to late-but what about you-are you saved?

Reference work was Heydrich, The Face of Evil, by Mario R. Dederichs, 2005.

G. Patrick Battell,

28th January 2007

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