Hanns Scharff
German Luftwaffe interrogator (1907–1992) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Hanns-Joachim Gottlob Scharff (December 16, 1907 – September 10, 1992) was a German Luftwaffe interrogator during the Second World War. He has been called the "Master Interrogator" of the Luftwaffe, and possibly of all Nazi Germany; he has also been praised for his contribution to shaping U.S. interrogation techniques after the war. As an Obergefreiter (equivalent to Private First Class), he was charged with interrogating captured American fighter pilots after he became an interrogation officer in 1943. He has been highly praised for the success of his techniques, in particular, because he never used physical means to obtain the required information. Scharff's interrogation techniques were so effective that he was occasionally called upon to assist other German interrogators in their questioning of allied bomber pilots and aircrews, including those crews and fighter pilots from countries other than the United States. Additionally, he was charged with questioning many more important prisoners who were funnelled through the interrogation center, such as senior officers and famous fighter aces.
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Hanns-Joachim Gottlob Scharff | |
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Nickname(s) | Poker Face Stone Face |
Born | (1907-12-16)December 16, 1907 Rastenburg, East Prussia, Germany (now Kętrzyn, Poland) |
Died | September 10, 1992(1992-09-10) (aged 84) Bear Valley Springs, Tehachapi, California, United States |
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/ | Luftwaffe |
Years of service | 1942–45 |
Rank | Obergefreiter |
Unit | Auswertestelle West, Oberursel, Germany |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Other work | Textile salesman, South Africa (before World War II); Mosaic artist, United States (after World War II) |
In 1948, Scharff was invited by the United States Air Force to lecture on his interrogation techniques and first-hand experiences. The U.S. military later incorporated his methods into its curriculum at its interrogation schools. Many of his methods are still taught in U.S. Army interrogation schools. Scharff was granted immigration status.
From the 1950s until he died in 1992, he redirected his efforts to creating mosaics. He became a world-renowned mosaic artisan, with his handiwork on display in locations such as the California State Capitol building; Los Angeles City Hall; several schools, colleges, and universities, including the giant Outdoor Mosaic Mural facade of the Dixie State College Fine Arts Center; Epcot Center; and in the 15-foot arched mosaic walls featuring the story of Cinderella inside Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World, Florida.