photo #6065006

Hanns-Joachim Gottlob Scharff served as a German Luftwaffe interrogator during World War II and is widely known as the “Master Interrogator”. His interrogation methods proved so successful that he was occasionally summoned to aid other German interrogators in questioning allied bomber pilots and aircrews. Scharff's interrogation approach centered on fostering rapport and creating a friendly, non-threatening atmosphere with the prisoners. He would engage them in casual conversations, often discussing topics unrelated to the war. Through this approach, he managed to earn the trust of the prisoners and obtain valuable intelligence without resorting to physical or psychological coercion. A crucial aspect of Scharff's technique involved his capacity to recall details about the prisoners' personal lives, utilizing this knowledge to create a sense of comfort and encourage voluntary openness. He steered clear of direct questioning, opting instead to motivate prisoners to express themselves openly. 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 and died on September 10, 1992, in California, U.S.