About Erich Kempka
Erich Kempka (16 September 1910 – 24 January 1975) was a member of the SS in Nazi Germany who served as Adolf Hitler's primary chauffeur from 1936 to April 1945. He was present in the area of the Reich Chancellery on 30 April 1945, when Hitler shot himself in the Führerbunker. Kempka delivered petrol to the garden behind the Chancellery, where the remains of Hitler and Eva Braun were burned. After Kempka's capture by United States forces, he served as a witness as to Hitler's demise, while admitting to his unreliability. == Early life == Kempka was born on 16 September 1910 in Oberhausen to a coal miner with ten children. He worked as a mechanic for the automotive manufacturer DKW. == SS career == Kempka joined the Nazi Party on 1 April 1930 as member #225,639. Kempka served as chauffeur for Josef Terboven until 29 February 1932, when, based on Terboven's recommendation, he was tasked as a reserve driver for Adolf Hitler's personal entourage. He became one of the original members of an eight-man squad known as the SS-Begleitkommando des Führers (SS Escort Command of the Führer), which later was known as the Führerbegleitkommando (FBK). The unit was assigned with protecting the life of Hitler. In 1934, he was present at the arrest of Ernst Röhm.
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