Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (28 May 1892 – 21 April 1966) was a Waffen-SS general in Nazi Germany who commanded units up to Army level during World War II. Prior to 1929, he was Adolf Hitler's chauffeur and bodyguard but received rapid promotion after his participation in the murder of Hitler's political opponents during the Night of the Long Knives. He later commanded 6th Panzer Army during the Battle of the Bulge.