An original letter written by an SS man from the German Auschwitz camp garrison Stefan Dilmetz has been donated to the Auschwitz Memorial Archives. It is the first result of the appeal by the Museum announced in January to the German and Austrian public regarding the transfer of documents, photos, or private letters related to the SS staff of KL Auschwitz.
‘The letter we received by a donor who asked to remain anonymous was dated to 1 April 1944. It was sent by Stefan Dilmetz, one of the SS privates from the KL Auschwitz garrison serving in the 7th guard company. The addressee of the letter is his SS colleague, Ludwig Fitterling. The letter contained a postcard showing the German tanks. On the back of the postcard, the author posted wishes for a Happy Easter,’ said Dr. Wojciech Płosa, head of the Auschwitz Museum Archives.
‘It is the first of such document in our archival collections. So far, we have not had any sample of personal correspondence sent by any member of the KL Auschwitz SS garrison to the family or friends. This document refers to daily affairs that preoccupied the 20-year old SS man. The content of this letter was influenced by the author’s awareness that the correspondence was censored,’ stressed Płosa.