Heinrich Gottlob `` Heiner '' Rau ( 2 April 1899 -- 23 March 1961 ) was a German communist politician during the time of the Weimar Republic ; subsequently , during the Spanish Civil War , he was a leading member of the International Brigades and after World War II an East German statesman .
Heinrich Gottlob `` Heiner '' Rau ( 2 April 1899 -- 23 March 1961 ) was a German communist politician during the time of the Weimar Republic . He was a leading member of the International Brigades and after World War II an East German statesman .