Description:

REINHARD HEYDRICH
(1904 - 1942) 'The Hangman', Nazi head of the dreaded SS and architect of the 'Final Solution', his assassination in Prague caused in retribution the destruction of Lidice and murder of many of its inhabitants. Extraordinary content T.L.S. as Chief of the Security Police on official letterhead, 2pp. 4to., Berlin, March 17, 1938, sent to Gauleiter of Vienna JOSEF BURCKEL just four days after the Anschluss, clearly endorsing the use of violence by the Gestapo against former Austrian leaders (and quite possibly against the Jews) yet requesting that such arrests, searches, or confiscations be reported to the State Police to justify or properly cover them up. Far too important to adequately abbreviate, the letter reads in full: 'In the course of the seizure of power by the movement in Austria, it is thoroughly understandable that all the Party's component organisations should wish to express their activism by making the former rulers and the people behind them aware of the dawn of a new era by carrying out arrests, confiscations and the like. If, however, such measures are compromised by individual actions, there is the danger, which cannot be underestimated, that material of both historical and political value may be lost. Furthermore, in several cases officers of the Secret State Police [Gestapo] have encountered resistance in the performance of their official duties, a circumstance which, it seems to me, is likely to disturb the harmonious cooperation between the police executive and the political leadership and moreover to create among the general public the impression of a conflict, which is not especially beneficial for the reputation of the Party or the State. In order to guarantee the continuance of the hitherto good cooperation, to prevent any unpleasant discussions among the general public and to save any material that might be valuable to the State or Party from being destroyed, I ask all component organisations of the Party to ensure that any action they carry out - whether it be an arrest, a search or a confiscation - is reported to the responsible State Police office, which will then arrange the necessary measures. I should be grateful if you could make your order retrospective.' Signed 'Heydrich' at the conclusion in black ink. The document is possibly docketed and signed by Burckel at the upper-right, beneath the date 'March 22, 1938'. Four file holes, light edgewear on the second page, some small spots of staining. Otherwise in very good condition. Sold with a full translation. In addition to excusing violence against former Austrian politicians, Heydrich could also be referencing Burckel's state-organized violence against the Jews. As the Reichskommisar for the Reunification of Austria, Burckel was charged with integrating Austria economically and culturally into Germany shortly after the Anschluss. Saying Vienna was 'overfilled with Jews', he stated his aim to leave them with no more than five percent of their property, and later deported nearly 50,000 Jews to their deaths. A horrific letter, truly embodying the barbarity of two of Nazi Germany's most notorious mass murderers.

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December 7, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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