About Gerhard Mertins
Lived 1919 – 1993 (aged 73). Gerhard Mertins was a German military personnel.
Gerhard Georg Mertins (30 December 1919 – 19 March 1993) was a German paratrooper, post-war arms dealer and German Intelligence operative. In 1943, he participated in the Gran Sasso raid rescuing Benito Mussolini from prison. According to Manuel Contreras, he allegedly supplied the Pinochet regime with arms and helicopters. In 1976, he and Manuel Contreras traveled to Tehran to offer the Shah regime help in killing Carlos the Jackal.
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 6 December 1944 as Hauptmann and leader of Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 5
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Important facts
People in Gerhard Mertins's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Gerhard Mertins?
German arms trafficker and WWII Fallschirmjager
When was Gerhard Mertins born?
Gerhard Mertins was born on 30 December 1919 in Berlin.
When did Gerhard Mertins die?
Gerhard Mertins died on 19 March 1993 in Florida.
What was Gerhard Mertins's occupation?
Gerhard Mertins was a military personnel.
What nationality was Gerhard Mertins?
Gerhard Mertins was German.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Gerhard Mertins. https://biography.guide/gerhard-mertins/
MLA: "Gerhard Mertins." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/gerhard-mertins/.
Chicago: "Gerhard Mertins." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/gerhard-mertins/.
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