Sunday, November 20, 2022

Himmler Chats with Polizei Officer in Warsaw


This picture was taken by Hugo Jaeger on 5 October 1939, and it shows Heinrich Himmler (Reichsführer-SS und Chef der deutschen Polizei) chats with unknown Orpo (Ordnungspolizei) officer - possibly with the rank of Major - during the German victory parade at Warsaw, Poland. In the background is a column of Mercedes-Benz W31 type G4 cars. There seems to be a confusion which Polizeibataillonen were actually in Warsaw at that time. According to NARA T 312 R 39 (AOK 8), five of them - under command of Oberst Rietzler (or Ritzer) - were sent to Warsaw right after capitulation. Polish IPN report has these: Pol.Btl. 2 (Major Küster), 5 (Major Jenke), 6 (Major Wenzel) and 7 (Major Vollmar). Wolfgang Curilla's book also mentions: 3 (Major Höcke) and 4 (Major Kasten) as being moved to Warsaw right before a parade.. It's possible Pol.Btl. 6 had not arrived until mid-October, so it was not in Warsaw during the parade. The interesting thing about this photo is the mark left by Himmler's spectacles which he has obviously removed in favour of his pince nez for the parade. To leave a mark such as this, the spectacles must have been worn tight to his head. Did they give him a headache? He was known to suffer from headaches and stomach cramps. He put his headaches down to his poor eyesight and pouring over numerous files, plus sinus problems (maybe better fitting spectacles could have solved one of his problems?). Just by looking at other photos from that parade, there was on Orpo (Ordnungspolizei) unit facing main tribune on the other side of the street. So possibly Himmler was having a chat with Orpo commander, with his back to the street and main tribune on the other side. Those nice cars (with Hitler and others) were arriving from the city centre (in the opposite direction to later parade traffic). When parade started a military band arrived first and took stand in front of the Orpo unit, facing main tribune.

Source :
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/hitler-jaeger-file/NgHd0PG7VPbm6Q?hl=en
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=229080&hilit=warsaw&start=15

No comments:

Post a Comment