Newly discovered correspondence discloses how Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazis during World War Two, personally bestowed stolen gifts on one of his most ruthless henchmen. These letters establish a historical connection between Hitler and a prominent enforcer, Otto Telschow, spanning four years.
Every year from 1941 to 1944, Telschow was gifted with items openly pilfered from overseas shipments and occupied territories by Hitler himself. The recent unveiling of a diary, which also includes these cards, sheds light on this aspect of their relationship. In one letter from 1941, Hitler mentioned offering a package of coffee sourced from a larger donation received from abroad.
Despite the scarcity of coffee for ordinary Germans at the time, Hitler continued his gift-giving tradition. In subsequent years, he reiterated the gesture, presenting Telschow with parcels containing items sourced from abroad and occupied lands. Even in 1944, amidst Germany’s impending defeat, Hitler sent a Christmas gift to Telschow, emphasizing his consistent generosity.
The 75-page leather-bound diary from World War Two surfaced at a U.S. auction, subsequently acquired by the Lüneburg City Archive for £6,000. Experts meticulously examined the diary’s materials and content, confirming its authenticity, which documented their interactions and Telschow’s dutiful execution of orders.
Noteworthy details within the diary include Hitler’s injury, with Telschow noting that despite the physical ailment, Hitler remained steadfast in his demeanor during their encounters. Telschow initiated the diary in March 1941, showcasing his allegiance to the National Socialist cause as a dedicated Gauleiter, responsible for political affairs in a specific region, where he ruthlessly suppressed opposition.
Following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, Telschow passed away in 1945, having served as the Gauleiter of Ost-Hannover, a region characterized by severe antisemitic activities and forced labor under Nazi rule. The significance of the diary lies in its revelation of Hitler rewarding a lesser-known but influential figure like Telschow with looted goods, underscoring the pervasive nature of Nazi terror enforced by regional leaders.
Unlike infamous Nazi figures, Telschow operated discreetly within his region, making the uncovering of these letters crucial in highlighting the complicity of lesser-known regional authorities in perpetuating Nazi atrocities. The correspondence underscores how Hitler perpetuated and rewarded brutality through trusted regional enforcers, shedding light on the broader network supporting Nazi crimes.