Mass Killing Unit of Warthegau
Sonderkommando Lange in German Documents:
Sonderkommando Kulmhof in German Documents:
Part I: Origin and Foundation
Part II: The Extermination of 100,000 Jews
Part III: Body Disposal (Appendix)
Part IV: Pabianice Sorting Camp
Part V: Funding
Part VI: The Polish Working Detail
Part VII: Motor Pool and Fuel (Appendix)
Part IX: Farewell (1943)
Until 31 December 1942, the Sonderkommando Kulmhof had systematically murdered about 4,400 Sinti and Roma and 145,301 Jews (Document 234). The Jews of the Warthegau had been wiped out except for the "labour ghetto" in Litzmannstadt and Jews loaned to outside work-sites. Since life as a Sonderkommando member was comparable pleasant and beneficial - with bonus payments, free tabacco and alcohol, no front duty, absence of military discipline, access to cheap goods from the rich warehouses of the Litzmannstadt Ghetto Administration - and facing the prospect of front-line service, the Kulmhof commandant Hans Bothmann seemed to have stretched the dismantling and closing of the camp over the whole Winter 1942/43. [1]
As the days of the camp were finally numbered on 5 March 1943, the Reichsgauleiter Arthur Greiser personally thanked the men for their work in the name of the Führer (see ref. 2), announced a four weeks extra holidays, which they could spent as guests on his estates including a "substantial aid which is intended to make their holidays more beautiful" (Document 233). Furthermore, he invited the whole commando to a comrades' evening in the restaurant "Riga" in Warthbrücken. The party of 92 persons included Sonderkommando men, the Gauleiter and staff, the Higher SS and Police Leader Wilhelm Koppe, the Litzmannstadt Stapo head Otto Bradfisch, [2] quite possibly also the Inspecteur of the Security Police and Service Ernst Damzog or staff member and Sonderkommando 1005 staff.
The bill for the dinner and about 90 liters of beer was forwarded by the commando's finance officer Wilhelm Görlich to the Inspector of the Security Police and Service, who passed it on to the Gauleiter's office "with the request for payment from the funds determined for the Jews' action", i.e. at the end the Litzmannstadt Ghetto Administration had to pay for Greiser's farewell party from special account 12300. (Documents 232 & 238).
As the days of the camp were finally numbered on 5 March 1943, the Reichsgauleiter Arthur Greiser personally thanked the men for their work in the name of the Führer (see ref. 2), announced a four weeks extra holidays, which they could spent as guests on his estates including a "substantial aid which is intended to make their holidays more beautiful" (Document 233). Furthermore, he invited the whole commando to a comrades' evening in the restaurant "Riga" in Warthbrücken. The party of 92 persons included Sonderkommando men, the Gauleiter and staff, the Higher SS and Police Leader Wilhelm Koppe, the Litzmannstadt Stapo head Otto Bradfisch, [2] quite possibly also the Inspecteur of the Security Police and Service Ernst Damzog or staff member and Sonderkommando 1005 staff.
The bill for the dinner and about 90 liters of beer was forwarded by the commando's finance officer Wilhelm Görlich to the Inspector of the Security Police and Service, who passed it on to the Gauleiter's office "with the request for payment from the funds determined for the Jews' action", i.e. at the end the Litzmannstadt Ghetto Administration had to pay for Greiser's farewell party from special account 12300. (Documents 232 & 238).
The dissolution of the Sonderkommando was envisaged for 31 March 1943. According to a letter of Greiser to the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the Sonderkommando men made a "donation of 15,150 RM in cash...in favour of the children of murdered Volksdeutsche", which "means that each of these 85 men of the Sonderkommando has raised about 180 RM" (corresponding to 2-3 weeks of bonus payments) and have "expressed their wish to continue to be deployed as a unit as far as possible under their Hauptsturmführer Bothmann". (Document 233). The "wish" was granted by Himmler as they were to be assigned as field police unit to the 7. SS-Freiwilligen-Division "Prinz Eugen" employed in the warfare in Yugoslavia (Document 235-236).
The Kulmhof palace was blown up in early April 1943 by the remaining Sonderkommando men and Blobel's staff (see here) and since 11 April 1943, the local gendarmerie was responsible for the site (Document 240). The finances of the Sonderkommando were settled by 13 May 1943 (Document 239). Presumably around late April 1943, the former Sonderkommando members had to summon at the RSHA in Berlin to receive their marching orders to join the 7. SS-Freiwilligen-Division "Prinz Eugen". The head of the security police and SD Ernst Kaltenbrunner expressed again thanks "in the name of the Führer" for their work in Kulmhof [3] and, according to Himmler's order, was to "urge them to rule off the time of their Sonderkommando and not to speak of it even suggestively" (Document 237).
[2] interrogation of Erich Rom. of 29 June 1960, BArch B 162/3245, p. 50-51: 'In March or April, the extermination camp Kulmhof was dissolved. For this reason, the Gauleiter Greiser organized a farewell party in a hotel in Eichstädt. Greiser joined the party with about 5-6 SS officers...Greiser holds a speech during the party...After the name Koppe is told me, I explain that a higher SS leader with oak leaves on his collar tab also joined the party. As it was said during the party, this was supposed to be the Higher SS and Police Leader Koppe.';
interrogation of Theodor Malz. of 27 June 1960, BArch B 162/3245, p. 59-60: 'Shortly before the dissolution of the extermination camp in April, at the end of March 1943 the Gauleiter Greiser appeared with his staff (about 15 higher SS leaders) in Kulmhof. All members of the SS Sonderkommando and guard commando had to line up, and Greiser gave a speech. He explained that the end of the extermination camp Kulmhof is near and he expressed his thanks in the name of the Führer for the work done in Kulmhof. Furthermore, he explained that everybody receives four weeks of special holidays, which he offered to spend on his estates for free...The farewell party took place in a hotel in Warthbrücken, in a big hall of this hotel. After just a short time, everybody was drunk and slept at the tables. The party ended at 1 or 2 o'clock in the night. I remember that SS-Untersturmführer Plate had a dispute with a member of Greiser's staff and both pulled their pistols. The dispute was settled by others present. I don't know what it was about. It should be mentioned that Greiser and Bothman gave speeches during the party. I don't remember what they said. I still remember that the head of the Gestapo Litzmannstadt Dr. Bradfisch was present at the party...';
[3] interrogation of Theodor Malz. of 27 June 1960, BArch B 162/3245, p.60: 'Then we all had to summon at the RSHA in Berlin on a certain day at SS-Obergruppenführer Kaltenbrunner. He thanked us in a speech again in the name of the Führer for the work done in Kulmhof.'
The Kulmhof palace was blown up in early April 1943 by the remaining Sonderkommando men and Blobel's staff (see here) and since 11 April 1943, the local gendarmerie was responsible for the site (Document 240). The finances of the Sonderkommando were settled by 13 May 1943 (Document 239). Presumably around late April 1943, the former Sonderkommando members had to summon at the RSHA in Berlin to receive their marching orders to join the 7. SS-Freiwilligen-Division "Prinz Eugen". The head of the security police and SD Ernst Kaltenbrunner expressed again thanks "in the name of the Führer" for their work in Kulmhof [3] and, according to Himmler's order, was to "urge them to rule off the time of their Sonderkommando and not to speak of it even suggestively" (Document 237).
Footnotes
[1] interrogation of Walter Burm. of 24 March 1961, BArch B 162/3248, p. 88: 'Today one can honestly say that Bothmann quite prolonged the dismantling of the commando at the end. We had no interest either to quickly come away, quite possibly to the front.'
[2] interrogation of Erich Rom. of 29 June 1960, BArch B 162/3245, p. 50-51: 'In March or April, the extermination camp Kulmhof was dissolved. For this reason, the Gauleiter Greiser organized a farewell party in a hotel in Eichstädt. Greiser joined the party with about 5-6 SS officers...Greiser holds a speech during the party...After the name Koppe is told me, I explain that a higher SS leader with oak leaves on his collar tab also joined the party. As it was said during the party, this was supposed to be the Higher SS and Police Leader Koppe.';
interrogation of Theodor Malz. of 27 June 1960, BArch B 162/3245, p. 59-60: 'Shortly before the dissolution of the extermination camp in April, at the end of March 1943 the Gauleiter Greiser appeared with his staff (about 15 higher SS leaders) in Kulmhof. All members of the SS Sonderkommando and guard commando had to line up, and Greiser gave a speech. He explained that the end of the extermination camp Kulmhof is near and he expressed his thanks in the name of the Führer for the work done in Kulmhof. Furthermore, he explained that everybody receives four weeks of special holidays, which he offered to spend on his estates for free...The farewell party took place in a hotel in Warthbrücken, in a big hall of this hotel. After just a short time, everybody was drunk and slept at the tables. The party ended at 1 or 2 o'clock in the night. I remember that SS-Untersturmführer Plate had a dispute with a member of Greiser's staff and both pulled their pistols. The dispute was settled by others present. I don't know what it was about. It should be mentioned that Greiser and Bothman gave speeches during the party. I don't remember what they said. I still remember that the head of the Gestapo Litzmannstadt Dr. Bradfisch was present at the party...';
[3] interrogation of Theodor Malz. of 27 June 1960, BArch B 162/3245, p.60: 'Then we all had to summon at the RSHA in Berlin on a certain day at SS-Obergruppenführer Kaltenbrunner. He thanked us in a speech again in the name of the Führer for the work done in Kulmhof.'
Contemporary German Documents
232.) Bill of the restaurant "Riga" in Warthbrücken to Sonderkommando Kulmhof of 8 March 1943:
DOCUMENT
TRANSCRIPTION
Gaststätte "Riga" Warthbrücken, den 8.3.1943.Gustav Richter
....
RM. 237.89 bez. am 18.6.1943 mit Verrechnungscheck Nr. 394090
Rechnung
an das Sonderkommando der SS - Kulmhof vom Kameradschaftsabend am 5.3.43. - in der Gaststätte "Riga" - Warthbrücken
92 Mann Abendessen, Localmiete, wegen Ausfall RM.192.75.-
10 Fl. Sodawasser 2.20.-
83 1 Liter u. 25 0,3 Liter Bier 42.94.-
RM .237.89.-
Zweihundertsiebenunddreissig & 89 Pfg.
Festgestellt:
[Unterschrift]
Polizeisekretär
1.4.43
Warthbrücken 8.3.43.-
Geheim!
An die Reichsstatthalterbehörde,
hier,
mit der Bitte um Bezahlung aus den für die Judenaktion bestimmen Fonds.
Posen, den 20.4.43
[Unterschrift]
TRANSLATION
Restaurant "Riga" Warthbrücken, 8 March 1943.
Gustav Richter
....
RM. 237.89 paid on 18.6.1943 with clearing account no. 394090
Bill
to the Sonderkommando of the SS Kulmhof for the comrades' evening on 5 March 1943 in the restaurant "Riga" Warthbrücken
92 man dinner, local rent, due to shortfall RM 192.75
10 bottles soda water 2.20.-
83 1 liter and 25 0.3 liter beer 42.94.-
RM 237.89.-
Two hundred and thirty seven & 89 penny
checked:
[Signature]
Polizeisekretär
1 April 1943
Warthbrücken 8 March 43.-
Secret!
To the authority of the Reichsstatthalter,
with the request for payment from funds determined for the Jews' action.
Posen, 20 April 1943
[Signature]
(APL/221/29676, p.23, cf. YVA/O.53/83/299)
233.) Letter of Arthur Greiser to Heinrich Himmler of 19 March 1943:
TRANSCRIPTION
An Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, Berlin SW 11.Prinz-Albrecht-Straße 8.
Reichsführer!
Ich habe vor einigen Tagen das frühere Kommando Lange, das heute unter dem Befehl des SS-Hauptsturmführers Kriminalkommissar Bothmann steht und als Sonderkommando in Kulmhof, Kreis Warthbrücken, seine Tätigkeit mit Ende d.Mts. einstellt, besucht und dabei eine Haltung der Männer des Sonderkommandos vorgefunden, die ich nicht verfehlen möchte, Ihnen, Reichsführer-SS, zur gefl. Kenntnis zu bringen. Die Männer haben nicht nur treu und brav und in jeder Beziehung konsquent die ihnen übertragene schwere Pflicht erfüllt, sondern darüber hinaus auch noch haltungsmäßig bestes Soldatentum repräsentiert.
So haben sie mir z.B. auf einem Kameradschaftsabend, zu dem ich sie eingeladen hatte, eine Spende von 15.150,- RM in bar übergeben, die sie am gleichen Tage spontan veranlaßt haben. Es bedeutet, daß jeder dieser 85 Männer des Sonderkommandos rund 180 RM aufgebracht hat. Ich habe das Geld dem Fonds zu Gunsten der Kinder ermordeter Volksdeutscher überwiesen, falls Sie, Reichsführer, nicht einen anderen oder besseren Verwendungszweck wünschen.
Die Männer haben mir weiterhin ihren Wunsch zum Ausdruck gebracht, unter ihrem Hauptsturmführer Bothmann möglichst geschlossen weiterhin eingesetzt zu werden. Ich habe den Männern versprochen, Ihnen, Reichsführer, diesen Wunsch zu übermitteln.
Ich bitte Sie, mir auch noch zu genehmigen, daß ich die Männer bei dem ihnen zustehenden Urlaub zum Teil als meine Gäste auf meine Landesgüter einladen und ihnen außerdem eine namenhafte Beihilfe gewähre, die ihnen den Urlaub verschönern soll.
Heil Hitler!
[Unterschrift]
TRANSLATION
To Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler, Berlin SW 11.
Prince-Albrecht-Strasse 8.
Reichsführer!
A few days ago, I have visited the former Kommando Lange, which today is under the command of the SS-Hauptsturmführer Kriminalkommissar Bothmann and will cease its activities as Sonderkommando Kulmhof, Kreis Warthbrücken at the end of the month. I experienced an attitude of the men of the Sonderkommando, which I do not want to miss to bring to your, Reichsführer-SS, knowledge. The men were not only loyal and well-behaved and in every respect consistent in fullfilling the heavy duty they have been assigned to, but also represented in their attitude the best soldierdom.
For example, on a comrade 's evening to which I had invited them, they have given me a donation of 15,150 RM in cash, which they spontaneously collected on the same day. This means that each of these 85 men of the Sonderkommando has raised about 180 RM. I have paid the money to the fund in favour of the children of murdered Volksdeutsche, if you, the Reichsführer, do not wish for a different or better use. The men have also expressed their wish to continue to be deployed as a unit as far as possible under their Hauptsturmführer Bothmann.
I have promised the men to convey to you, Reichsführer, this wish. I also ask you to allow me to invite the men on their vacation as my guests to my estates, and also to grant them a substantial aid which is intended to make their holidays more beautiful.
Heil Hitler!
[Signature]
(BArch B 162/601, unpaginated)
234.) Extract from the statistical report of Richard Korherr of 23 March 1943 (with corrections of April 1943):
DOCUMENT
TRANSCRIPTION
-9-
V. DIE EVAKUIERUNG DER JUDEN
Die Evakuierung der Juden löste, wenigstens im Reichsgebiet,
die Auswanderung der Juden ab. Sie wurde seit dem Verbot der
jüdischen Auswanderung ab Herbst 1941 in großem Stile vor-
bereitet und im Jahre 1942 im gesamten Reichsgebiet weit-
gehend durchgeführt. In der Bilanz des Judentums erscheint
sie als "Abwanderung".
Bis 1.1.1943 wanderten nach den Zusammenstellungen des
Reichssicherheitshauptamtes ab:
aus dem Altreich mit Sudetenland 100 516 Juden
aus der Ostmark 47 555 "
aus dem Protektorat 69 677 "
Zusammen 217 748 Juden
In diesen Zahlen sind auch die ins Altresghetto Theresien-
stadt evakuierten Juden enthalten.
Die gesamten Evakuierungen ergaben im Reichsgebiet einschl.
Ostgebieten und darüber hinaus im deutschen Macht- und Ein-
flußbereich in Europa von Oktober 1939 oder später bis zum
31.12.1942 folgende Zahlen:
1. Evakuierung von Juden aus Baden
und der Pfalz nach Frankreich....... 6 504 Juden
2. Evakuierung von Juden aus dem Reichs-
gebiet einschl.Protektorat und
Bezirk Bialystok nach Osten......... 170 642 "
3. Evakuierung von Juden aus dem Reichs-
gebiet und dem Protektorat
nach Theresienstadt................. 87 193
4. Transportierung von Juden aus den
Ostprovinzen nach dem russischen
Osten: ............................1 449 692 "
Es wurden durchgeschleust
durch die Lager im General-
gouvernement..................... 1 274 166 Juden
durch die Lager im Warthegau..... 145 301 Juden
5. Evakuierung aus anderen
Ländern, nämlich:
Frankreich (soweit vor dem
10.11.1942 besetzt)............... 41 911 Juden
Niederlande........................ 38 571 "
Belgien............................ 16 886 "
Norwegen........................... 532 "
-10-
Slowakei................. 56 691 Juden
Kroatien................. 4 927 "
------------------------------
Evakuierungen insgesamt(einschl.
Theresienstadt und einschl.
Sonderbehandlung)............ 1 873 549 Juden
ohne Theresienstadt.......... 1 786 356 "
6. Dazu kommt noch nach den Angaben
des Reichssicherheitshauptamtes
die Evakuierung von.......... 633 300 Juden
in den russischen Gebieten
einschl.der früheren baltischen
Länder seit Beginn des Ost-
feldzuges.
In den obigen Zahlen sind nicht enthalten die Insassen
der Ghettos und der Konzentrationslager.
Die Evakuierungen aus der Slowakei und aus Kroatien
wurden von diesen Staaten selbst in Angriff genommen.
TRANSLATION
V. THE EVACUATION OF THE JEWSThe evacuation of the Jews replaced the emigration of the Jews, at least on the territory of the Reich. It was extensively prepared since the prohibition of Jewish emigration in the autumn of 1941 and to a large extent carried out throughout the Reich territory in the year 1942. In the balance of Jewry it is referred to as "off-going".Until 1.1.1943, according to the records of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt, the following numbers went off:From the Old Reich with Sudetenland 100 516 JewsFrom the Ostmark 47 555 "From the Protectorate 69 677 "Sum 217 748 JewsIn these numbers the Jews evacuated to the old-age ghetto Theresienstadt are also included.All evacuations on the territory of the Reich and including the eastern territories and further in the German area of power and influence in Europe from October 1939 or later until 31.12.1942 resulted in the following numbers:1. Evacuation of Jews from Badenand the Palatinate to France ....... 6 504 Jews2. Evacuation of Jews from the Reich territory incl. the Protectorate andBialystok district to the East...... 170 642 "3. Evacuation of Jews from the Reich area and the Protectorateto Theresienstadt................. 87 1934. Transportation of Jews from theeastern provinces to the RussianEast: ............................ 1 449 692 "The following numbers were sifted through the camps in the Generalgovernment ............. ........ 1 274 166 Jewsthrough the camps in the Warthegau..... 145 301 Jews5. Evacuation from other countries, namely:France (insofar as occupiedbefore 10.11.1942 )............... 41 911 JewsNetherlands........................ 38 571 "Belgium............................ 16 886 "Norway ........................... 532 "Slovakia................. 56 691 JewsCroatia ................ 4 927 "------------------------------Evacuations total (incl. Theresienstadt and incl.special treatment)........... 1 873 549 Jewsw./o Theresienstadt.......... 1 786 356 "6. In addition, according to data from the Reichssicherheitshauptamt there is the evacuation of... 633 300 Jewsin the Russian territories incl. the former Baltic countries since the beginning of theEastern Campaign.The above numbers do not include the inmates of ghettos and concentration camps.The evacuations from Slovakia and Croatia were carried out by these states themselves.
235.) Letter of Heinrich Himmler to Arthur Greiser of 27 March 1943:
TRANSCRIPTION
Feldkommandostelle, 27. März 1943
Tgb.Nr.39/96/43
Lieber Parteigenosse Greiser !
Ich danke Ihnen für ihre Zeilen vom 19.3.1943 und ganz besonders dafür, daß Sie die Männer des Sonderkommandos besucht und daß Sie sich ihrer so netter Weise angenommen haben. Über die Anerkennung, die Sie den Männern ausgesprochen haben, freue ich mich sehr.
Ich will gern den Wunsch erfüllen und die Männer bei einer neuen Verwendung geschlossen und ihrem Kommandeur, SS-Hauptsturmführer Bothmann einsetzen.
Mit der Zuweisung der ausgezeichneten Spende in Höhe von RM 15.150.- für die Kinder ermordeter Volksdeutscher bin ich gern einverstanden.
Mit nochmals bestem Dank für ihre freundliche Unterstützung grüße ich Sie sehr herzlich
Heil Hitler!
Ihr
TRANSLATION
Field command post, 27 March 1943
Journal no. 39/96/43
Dear party member Greiser!
I thank you for your writing of 19 March 1943, and especially for visiting the men of the Sonderkommando, and for taking care of them so kindly. I am very happy about the acknowledgement you have given to the men.
I would like to fulfill the wish and will deploy them to a new use under their commander SS-Hauptsturmführer Bothmann.
With the allocation of the excellent donation of RM 15,150.- for the children of murdered Volksdeutsche I gladly agree.
Thank you very much for your kind support and I cordially greet you
Heil Hitler!
yours
(BArch B 162/601, unpaginated)
236.) Letter from Rudolf Brandt to Hans Jüttner of 29 March 1943:
TRANSCRIPTION
Der Reichsführer-SS Feldkommandanturstelle, 29.3.1943Persönlicher Stab
Tg.Nr. 39/110/43g.
Bra/V.
An
SS-Gruppenführer Jüttner
Berlin
Lieber Gruppenführer !
Ein Kommando von 85 Männern unter dem Befehl des Hauptsturmführers Bothmann beendet im Laufe dieses Monats seinen Einsatz. Im Anschluß daran gehen die Männer in Urlaub; entweder 3 oder 4 Wochen. Die genaue Zeit können Sie sicher von SS-Gruppenführer Dr. Kaltenbrunnner erfahren, der bereits darüber unterrichtet ist, daß die Männer dieses Kommandos unter dem Befehl des SS-Hauptsturmführers Bothmann geschlossen weiter eingesetzt werden sollen, und zwar bei der SS-Freiwilligen-Division "Prinz Eugen".
Der Reichsführer-SS wird sicherlich in den nächsten Tagen mit SS-Gruppenführer Phleps besprechen, dass für diese 85 Männer eine entsprechende Anzahl von Männern der Division wahrscheinlich an die Bosniaken-Division abgegeben werden sollen.
Heil Hitler !
[Unterschrift]
SS-Obersturmbannführer
TRANSLATION
Reichsführer SS Field Command Post, 29 March 1943SS-Gruppenführer Jüttner
Personal staff
Journal no. 39/110 / 43g.
Bra/V.
To
Berlin
Dear Gruppenführer!
A Kommando of 85 men under the command of the Hauptsturmführer Bothmann ends its service in the course of the month. After this the men go on holiday; either for 3 or 4 weeks. You can surely obtain the exact time from SS-Gruppenführer Dr. Kaltenbrunnner, who has already been informed that the men of this command are to be used as a unit under the command of SS-Hauptsturmführer, Bothmann, in the SS Volunteer Division "Prinz Eugen".
The Reichsführer SS will no doubt discuss with SS-Gruppenführer Phleps in the next few days that for these 85 men a corresponding number of men are to be given to the division, likely to the Bosniak Division.
Heil Hitler !
[Signature]
SS-Obersturmbannführer
(BArch B 162/601, unpaginated)
237.) Letter of Rudolf Brandt to Ernst Kaltenbrunner of 29 March 1943:
TRANSCRIPTION
Der Reichsführer-SS Feld-Kommandostelle, 29.3.1943Persönlicher Stab
Tgb.Nr. 39/110/43g.
Bra/V. Geheim
An SS-Gruppenführer Dr. Kaltenbrunner
Berlin
Lieber Gruppenführer !
Anliegend übersende ich Ihnen Abschrift eines Briefes, den Gauleiter und Reichstatthalter Greiser am 19.3.1943 an den Reichsführer-SS geschrieben hat.
Die Verwendung der 85 Männer unter SS-Hauptsturmführer Bothmann nach ihrem Urlaub wünscht der Reichsführer-SS geschlossen bei der SS-Freiwilligen-Division "Prinz Eugen".
Der Reichsführer bittet Sie, die Männer vor ihrem Einsatz noch einmal zusammenzunehmen und sie eindringlich zu verpflichten, unter die Zeit ihres Sonderkommandos einen Strich zu setzen und auch nicht andeutungsweise davon zu reden.
Der Chef des SS-Führungshauptamtes, SS-Gruppenführer Jüttner, hat von mir lediglich die Mitteilung erhalten, daß im Laufe des April 85 Männer mit ihrem Kommandeur geschlossen der SS-Freiwilligen-Division "Prinz Eugen" zugeführt werden können.
Heil Hitler !
Ihr
gez. Brandt
SS-Obersturmbannführer
TRANSLATION
The Reichsführer SS Field Command Post, 29 March 1943
Personal staff
Journal no. 39/110 / 43g.
Bra/V.
Secret
To
SS-Gruppenführer Dr. Kaltenbrunner
Berlin
Dear Gruppenführer!
I would like to send you a copy of a letter written by the Gauleiter and Reichstatthalter Greiser to the Reichsführer-SS on 19 March 1943.
The Reichsführer-SS wishes the use of the 85 men under SS-Hauptsturmführer Bothmann as a unit after their holiday in the SS volunteer division "Prinz Eugen".
The Reichsführer will ask you to gather the men before their engagement and urge them to rule off the time of their Sonderkommando and not to speak of it even suggestively.
The head of the SS Leadership Office, SS-Gruppenführer Jüttner, has merely received from me the notification that in the course of April 85 men with their commander can be assigned as a unit to the SS volunteer division "Prinz Eugen".
Heil Hitler!
yours
signed Brandt
SS-Obersturmbannführer
(BArch B 162/601, unpaginated)
238.) Letter of Hans Bothmann to the Inspekteur der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD Posen of 1 April 1943:
DOCUMENT
TRANSCRIPTION
SS-Sonderkommando Kulmhof, den 1. April 1943
Einschreiben
An den
Inspekteur der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD
z.Hd.v. SS-O'stuf, Baumann
in Posen.
Betrifft: Kameradschaftsabend anläßlich des Gauleiterbesuches.
Bezug: Mündl. Anordnung des Gauleiters
Anlagen: 1
In der Anlage überreiche ich eine Rechnung über einen Kameradschaftsabend, zu welchem das SS-Sonderkommando durch den Gauleiter Greiser eingeladen wurde. Der Gauleiter hat gebeten, ihm die Rechnung zur Begleichung vorzulegen.
Ich bitte deshalb, diesen dem Gauinspekteur Geißler zuzuleiten.
[Unterschrift]
SS-Hauptsturmführer u. Kriminalkommissar
Gö.
TRANSLATION
SS Sonderkommando Kulmhof, 1 April 1943Registered letterTo the Inspector of the Security Police and SDTo attention of SS-O'stuf, Baumann in Posen.Subject: Comrade's evening on the occasion of the Gauleiter's visit.Reference: Oral order of the GauleiterAttachments: 1In the enclosure, I hand over the bill of an comrade's evening, to which the SS Sonderkommando was invited by the Gauleiter Greiser. The Gauleiter has asked to submit the bill to him. I therefore ask this to be communicated to the Gauinspekteur Geissler.[Signature]SS-Hauptsturmführer and KriminalkommissarGö.
(APL/221/29676, p.26, cf. YVA/O.53/83/298)
239.) Letter of the Secret State Police to the Litzmannstadt Ghetto Administration of 19 May 1943:
DOCUMENT
TRANSCRIPTION
Geheime Staatspolizei Litzmannstadt, den 19. Mai 1943
Staatspolizeileitstelle Litzmannstadt
B.-Nr. - L I -
An den
Herrn Oberbürgermeister
- Gettoverwaltung -
Litzmannstadt
weitergereicht.
Wie aus dem Vermerk des KOS. Plate hervorgeht, ist der Betrag von dem SS-Sonderkommando Kulmhof zu bezahlen. Das SS-Sonderkommando Kulmhof hat am 13.5.1943 mit der Gettoverwaltung bereits abgerechnet. Ich bitte daher, die Rechnung von dort aus zu begleichen.
Im Auftrage:
[Unterschrift]
TRANSLATION
Secret State Police Litzmannstadt, 19 May 1943
State Police Office Litzmannstadt
B.-Nr. - L I -
To the
Mr. Major
- Ghetto Administration-
Litzmannstadt
passed on.
As follows from the note of KOS Plate the amount is to be paid by the SS-Sonderkommando Kulmhof. The SS Sonderkommando Kulmhof has settled its account with the Ghetto Administration already on 13 May 1943. Therefore I request you to pay the bill.
by order:
[signature]
(APL/221/29676, p.277)
240.) Letter of Sonderkommando Kulmhof to the Litzmannstadt State Police of 24 May 1943:
DOCUMENT
TRANSCRIPTION
Abschrift
SS-Sonderkommando Posen, den 24.5.1943.
An
Stapo Litzmannstadt
z.Hd.v.Pol.Ob.Insp. Lenk
in Litzmannstadt
Anliegend übersende ich zwei Rechnungen mit der Bitte um weitere Veranlassung. Gleichzeitig übersende ich verschiedene Fernsprechrechnungen. Ich mache jedoch darauf aufmerksam, dass diese nicht mehr vom SK. zu bezahlen sind. Ab 11.4.1943 muss die Gendarmerie die Rechnungen zahlen.
gez.: Unterschrift
SS-H'Stuf
F.d.R.dA.
Kanzleiangestellte.
TRANSLATION
Copy
SS-Sonderkommando Posen, 24 May 1943.
To
State Police Litzmannstadt
to the attention of Pol.Ob.Insp. Lenk
in Litzmannstadt
Enclosed I sent you two bills with the request for further action. At the same time I sent you various telephone bills. However, I call to your attention that these are not to be paid by the SK. Since 11 April 1943, the gendarmarie has to pay the bills.
signed: signature
SS-H'Stuf
For the correctness of the copy
office employee
(APL/221/29676 p.220)
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