Gregor Strasser

German politician who competed with Hitler for head of the National Socialist party, an opponent for eight years of political contest.

Serving in the military during WW II, Strasser became a Lieutenant and was awarded the Iron Cross. Postwar, he became an apothecary up to 1932 when he sold his shop and entered politics. An able organizer and shrewd operative, he loved action but was not a strong speaker. During that time he founded a newspaper with his brother, Otto. Young Dr. Geobbels was the editor until he left to join Hitler.

As Hitler gained power, they quarreled in 1932 and Strasser resigned in December, saying that he'd take his wife and kids to Italy to bask in the sun. Though retired and no longer politically active, he was arrested by the Nazis around noon on 30 June 1934. He was shot through the window of his prison cell the same day, the most prominent victim of Hitler's blood purge.