Newly discovered correspondences and cards shed light on how Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi regime, personally bestowed stolen gifts upon one of his most malevolent associates from World War Two. These historical documents establish a direct link between Hitler and a prominent enforcer within his ranks, Otto Telschow. Of particular intrigue is the consistent annual gifting of Christmas presents from 1941 to 1944, proudly sourced from foreign shipments and occupied territories during the height of Nazi atrocities.
Recently unveiled as part of a diary, these letters provide insight into Hitler’s relationship with Telschow. In 1941, Hitler gifted Telschow a package of coffee, a luxury item scarce for ordinary Germans at that time, sourced from a larger donation received from abroad. This gesture continued in subsequent years, with Hitler sending similar packages in 1942, 1943, and even in 1944 as the war took a turn against Germany.
The 75-page leather-bound diary, which unexpectedly surfaced at a U.S. auction, was acquired by the Lüneburg City Archive for a sum of £6,000. Expert scrutiny confirmed the authenticity of the diary, detailing the interactions between Hitler and Telschow, showcasing how diligently Telschow executed Hitler’s directives.
Telschow, a staunch National Socialist and Gauleiter of Ost-Hannover, chronicled his allegiance to the Nazi cause and his ruthless suppression of dissent. Despite not attaining the same level of notoriety as other high-ranking Nazi officials, Telschow wielded significant power within his region, perpetuating anti-Semitic persecution and enforcing Nazi policies until his death in 1945.
The significance of these findings lies in the tangible evidence of Hitler rewarding a lesser-known but influential local figure with looted goods, underscoring the complicity of regional enforcers in perpetuating Nazi atrocities. This revelation challenges the perception that Nazi crimes were solely orchestrated by prominent leaders, highlighting the role of lesser-known fanatics whose brutal actions were covertly endorsed by Hitler himself.
