 Three years later be became Chief of Military intelligence (Mil-ND / "Militärnachrichtendienst") of the National People's Army, ending up, in 1974, with the rank of Lieutenant general.Arthur Franke was born into a working-class family, and on leaving school was apprenticed as a cabinet maker from 1923 till 1927, then working at the trade between 1927 and 1930.In 1930, he joined the Communist Party (KPD).