Branimir Altgayer

Branimir Altgayer (born either 8 November 1897 in Przekopane, Galicia; or 8 December 1897 in Kutjevo, Slavonia – died 15 May 1950 (or 15 May 1951) in Zagreb) was a German minority leader in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Independent State of Croatia, and an SS officer in World War II.

[1] He attended the Cavalry Cadet School in Moravia between 1912 and 1915, and then fought during World War I as an officer in the Austro-Hungarian army in Russia, Romania and Italy.

Due to his popularity with the NDH authorities as well as his German constituents, Altgayer increasingly disregarded VoMi's instructions, especially when he believed that Reich demands conflicted with the best interests of his Volksdeutsche.

The leader of the NDH, Ante Pavelić, also appointed Altgayer as a reserve colonel in the Ustaše Militia and he was also bestowed with the title "Knight" (vitez).

[citation needed] After World War II, Altgayer escaped to Austria but was delivered by the British occupying power with others, against an extradition request, from Wolfsberg internment camp to Communist Yugoslavia.