1. Friedrich Dickel was a German politician, veteran of the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War and law enforcement administrator who served as the interior minister for nearly twenty-six years, the longest-serving individual to hold that post in East Germany.
Friedrich Dickel fought in the international brigades in the civil war of Spain together with others, including future Stasi chief Erich Mielke.
Friedrich Dickel commanded a platoon unit in the civil war in Spain.
Friedrich Dickel returned to East Germany in 1946 and served as the commander of the Officers' School for Political Work in East Berlin from 1950.
Friedrich Dickel was promoted to the rank of major general in 1956.
Friedrich Dickel became a member of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and of its central committee.
Friedrich Dickel served as a police chief in East Berlin.
Friedrich Dickel was appointed interior minister on 14 November 1963, replacing Karl Maron in the post.
Friedrich Dickel's term ended on 18 November 1989 when he was dismissed as a result of the atmosphere of change and reform in the country which began leading up to German reunification.
Friedrich Dickel was succeeded by Lothar Ahrendt as interior minister.
Friedrich Dickel was a military officer with the rank of colonel general, before being promoted to army general in 1984.
Friedrich Dickel was a member of the Volkskammer for Auerbach, Klingenthal, Oelsnitz, Plauen-Stadt, Plauen-Land between 2 July 1967 and 5 April 1990.
Friedrich Dickel was the recipient of the Order of Karl Marx which was awarded to him in June 1985 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the German People's Police.