Heinrich Himmler’s Diaries: A Window into the Mind of a Nazi War Criminal
Discovery of Himmler’s Diaries
In 2013, a trove of 1,000 pages of diary entries from Heinrich Himmler, the architect of the Holocaust, was discovered in Russian military archives. These diaries, covering the years 1937-1938 and 1944-1945, provide a chilling glimpse into the mind of a man who could seamlessly switch between domestic life and mass murder.
Himmler’s Domestic Life
On the surface, Himmler’s diary entries often read like mundane accounts of his personal life. He writes about his wife, daughter, and mistress, and expresses concern for their well-being. However, these entries are juxtaposed with horrific accounts of Himmler’s role in the Holocaust.
Himmler’s Role in the Holocaust
Himmler’s diaries reveal his central role in planning and implementing the Nazi genocide. He ordered the establishment of concentration camps, including Auschwitz and Majdanek, and oversaw the extermination of millions of Jews and other minorities.
In one particularly chilling entry, Himmler records his visit to Majdanek concentration camp, where he witnessed a demonstration of a new diesel-powered gas chamber. He casually mentions that no new prisoners were scheduled to arrive that day, so guards rounded up 400 Jewish women and girls from a nearby ghetto for the demonstration.
The Cold-Blooded Killer
Behind the facade of a doting father and loving husband, Himmler was a cold-blooded killer. His diary entries are filled with orders for executions and the sending of families to concentration camps. One entry records his order to execute ten police officers in Poland for refusing to fight for the Nazis.
Historical Significance
For historians, Himmler’s diaries are an invaluable resource. They provide insights into the inner workings of the Nazi regime and the decision-making process behind the Holocaust. They also shed light on Himmler’s own personality and motivations.
Capture and Death
Himmler was captured by British soldiers in Berlin in May 1945. He committed suicide using a cyanide capsule before he could be interrogated. His body was buried in an unmarked grave that has never been revealed.
Legacy
Heinrich Himmler’s diaries serve as a chilling reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and the capacity for human beings to commit unspeakable atrocities. They are a valuable historical document that helps us understand the Nazi regime and the man who played a central role in its crimes.