Horst Wagner (1906-1977) joined the Dienststelle des Beauftragten für außenpolitische Fragen der NSDAP im Stab des Stellvertreters des Führers (Unit of Representatives for Foreign Affairs of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party in the Führer’s Staff) in 1936. Also known as Dienststelle Ribbentrop, this organisation conducted foreign policy outside the Auswärtiges Amt. Wagner enjoyed a successful career largely thanks to his membership of the SS and the patronage of Ribbentrop, who was appointed Foreign Minster in 1938. Wagner joined the staff of the Auswärtiges Amt and in 1943 became Chief of Gruppe Inland II. As SS Standartenführer (unit leader) he served as a Verbindungsführer (liaison officer) between Ribbentrop and Himmler.

In 1948 Wagner escaped prosecution by fleeing to Argentina. He was unmasked in 1958 after returning in 1952 under a false name and posing as a correspondent for the Argentinian press. In 1967 he was prosecuted in Essen for, amongst others, complicity in the murder of over 356,624 Jews. After a string of delays the case was adjourned in 1974. Wagner died in 1977.

• S. Weitkamp, Braune Diplomaten. Horst Wagner und Eberhard von Thadden als Funktionäre der ‘Endlösung’ (Bonn 2008).
• NIOD-knipselmap Horst Wagner, KB I 7246