Himmler´s Eulogy
On June 9, 1942, Himmler delivered this verbose eulogy for Reinhard Heydrich, discreetly omitting any mention of Heydrich's expulsion from the navy, chronic womanizing, or the inconvenient fact that Bruno Heydrich, Reinhard's father, might have been Jewish.
My Führer!
Dear Heydrich Family!
Honored mourning guests!
With the death of SS Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich, the Deputy Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia, Chief of the SD and security police, the National Socialist Movement has made a tragic contribution to the fight for freedom of our people.
How incomprehensible to us is the thought that this shining, great human, scarcely 38 years old, is no longer with us and unable to battle along with his friends. His unique abilities and pure character, his mind, his logic and clarity, are irreplaceable. We would not be abiding by his wishes were we not here with his coffin, heroic thoughts of living and dying investing us, as they once did when our Volk confronted the death of its dearest.
In this spirit we devote our ceremony to honoring him, recounting his life, his deeds, and then returning his mortal remains to the earth. We will fight as he fought during his life and seek to fulfill his role.
Dear Heydrich Family!
Honored mourning guests!
With the death of SS Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich, the Deputy Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia, Chief of the SD and security police, the National Socialist Movement has made a tragic contribution to the fight for freedom of our people.
How incomprehensible to us is the thought that this shining, great human, scarcely 38 years old, is no longer with us and unable to battle along with his friends. His unique abilities and pure character, his mind, his logic and clarity, are irreplaceable. We would not be abiding by his wishes were we not here with his coffin, heroic thoughts of living and dying investing us, as they once did when our Volk confronted the death of its dearest.
In this spirit we devote our ceremony to honoring him, recounting his life, his deeds, and then returning his mortal remains to the earth. We will fight as he fought during his life and seek to fulfill his role.
...He Became a Simple SS Man
Reinhard Heydrich was born March 7, 1904 in Halle on the Saale. He attended Volksschule and a Reform High School. During his school years, in 1918 after the great break up of our Volk, the 16-year-old student demonstrated his ardent love for Germany by volunteering for the Freikorps “Maercker” and Freikorps “Halle,” which were active in the red regions of mid-Germany. In 1922, an epoch when soldiering was despised, he enlisted in the navy. In 1926 he was a lieutenant, 1928 Oberleutnant zur See. He served as a radio and communications officer and broadened his horizons with foreign duty and travel. In 1931 he left the navy.Through one of his friends, SS Oberführer von Eberstein, I met him and inducted him that July into the Schutzstaffel. Heydrich, who had been a lieutenant, became a simple SS man on the small Hamburg staff, together with other noble, mostly unemployed, young men, who found there a true calling. Their duty was the Saal war and they were involved with propaganda in the predominantly red quarters of the city. Soon after, I brought Heydrich with me to Munich and gave him new duties in the little Reichsführung SS.
During the politically difficult autumn of 1932, he served loyally and steadfastly, despite the many demands upon him.
After we came to power, I became Munich police chief on March 12, 1933. I immediately gave Heydrich the so-called political division of the presidium. In no time he re-organized the division, and in a few weeks transformed it into the Bavarian Political Police. Soon the division became a model for political police departments in non-Prussian German territory. On April 20, 1934, the Prussian Minister President, our Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, appointed me to lead the State Police of Prussia and appointed SS Brigadeführer Heydrich as my deputy. In 1936 the Führer appointed 32-year-old Heydrich chief of the newly created Security Police. Besides the secret police, he was responsible for all of the criminal police.
The years 1933, 34, 35, 36 were filled with work and innumerable startup problems. We had to deal with expelling immigrants and traitors. These difficult, painful duties fell to Heydrich’s security police and the SD, which had to earn the respect of the states and the entire Reich.
The years 1933, 34, 35, 36 were filled with work and innumerable startup problems. We had to deal with expelling immigrants and traitors. These difficult, painful duties fell to Heydrich’s security police and the SD, which had to earn the respect of the states and the entire Reich.
By the beginning of 1938 the security police was a strong organization that could carry out all tasks. Heydrich rendered a great, though unobtrusive, service during the bloodless march into Austria [Ostmark], the Sudetenland, and Bohemia-Moravia, as well as the liberation of Slovakia, by arresting opponents and keeping a watchful eye on enemies in these places.
I would like to mention here publicly the thoughts of this man, who was feared, hated, and denounced by sub-humans, such as Jews and miscellaneous criminals. Even many Germans did not understand him.
I would like to mention here publicly the thoughts of this man, who was feared, hated, and denounced by sub-humans, such as Jews and miscellaneous criminals. Even many Germans did not understand him.
...He Made the World-View of Adolf Hitler a Reality
All measures and actions he took were the deeds of a National Socialist and SS man. From the depths of his heart and blood he made the world-view of Adolf Hitler a reality. All problems Heydrich solved from a racial point of view. His ultimate goal was the maintenance, protection, and preservation of our blood.
To carry out his difficult task, he had to build and lead an organization, which dealt with evil, criminal, anti-social elements in our society. There was little joy in this work.
Heydrich’s view was that only the best of our Volk, the racially pure of exceptional character, were able to battle the negative social elements with sufficient hardness. He himself was incorruptible. Flatterers and toadies elicited only scorn from him. But truthful, upstanding people, even if guilty, could rely on his knightly nobility and human understanding. Yet he never let anything happen that could damage the whole nation or the future of our blood.
No one should forget his truly revolutionary creativity in the criminal police. He approached the question of criminality with a healthy, sober human understanding. But at the same time he tired to make the German criminal police a modern and scientific force. As chief of the International Criminal Police Commission [today Interpol] he gave to the policemen of the world his wisdom , his experience, and his comradeship. After 1936, when his service began, there was a continuous decrease in crime. Despite three years of war, crime incidence has now reached its lowest level ever. People in Germany can walk down the streets in peace, unmolested, even in the hardest times, in contrast to the “splendid, humane, democratic countries.” Germans can thank Reinhard Heydrich from the bottom of their hearts for this security. Both criminal and political miscreants have been severely handled and our security police will continue to do so.
Heydrich’s view was that only the best of our Volk, the racially pure of exceptional character, were able to battle the negative social elements with sufficient hardness. He himself was incorruptible. Flatterers and toadies elicited only scorn from him. But truthful, upstanding people, even if guilty, could rely on his knightly nobility and human understanding. Yet he never let anything happen that could damage the whole nation or the future of our blood.
No one should forget his truly revolutionary creativity in the criminal police. He approached the question of criminality with a healthy, sober human understanding. But at the same time he tired to make the German criminal police a modern and scientific force. As chief of the International Criminal Police Commission [today Interpol] he gave to the policemen of the world his wisdom , his experience, and his comradeship. After 1936, when his service began, there was a continuous decrease in crime. Despite three years of war, crime incidence has now reached its lowest level ever. People in Germany can walk down the streets in peace, unmolested, even in the hardest times, in contrast to the “splendid, humane, democratic countries.” Germans can thank Reinhard Heydrich from the bottom of their hearts for this security. Both criminal and political miscreants have been severely handled and our security police will continue to do so.
Yet after innumerable conversations with Heydrich, I learned that this man, who was externally hard and strict, suffered deeply on account of his duty. But no matter, according to SS law, he was not allowed to spare foreign or German blood when the life of the nation was in question. He was one of the best teachers of National Socialist morals and educated the SS Führerkorps of the security service and led it with unimpeachable purity.
To the men he commanded, he devoted love and attention, even in the most difficult matters, and showed himself to be a born and bred gentleman. He was a shining example in his willingness to accept responsibility and was a model of modesty. He let his work speak for itself and never blew his own horn. Many people were surprised that he took an interest in all the intellectual endeavors of the security service, no matter what their nature. There was not a trace in him of the fusty old policeman. He worked out the scientific basis for everything and applied his findings to everyday questions.
To the men he commanded, he devoted love and attention, even in the most difficult matters, and showed himself to be a born and bred gentleman. He was a shining example in his willingness to accept responsibility and was a model of modesty. He let his work speak for itself and never blew his own horn. Many people were surprised that he took an interest in all the intellectual endeavors of the security service, no matter what their nature. There was not a trace in him of the fusty old policeman. He worked out the scientific basis for everything and applied his findings to everyday questions.
Heydrich the Fighter Pilot
The war arrived with its many tasks in the newly occupied areas, in Poland, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Yugoslavia, Greece, and above all, Russia.It was difficult for him, this fighter and doer, not to be right at the front. Besides his tireless devotion to assigned tasks, which he accomplished day and night as the most diligent man in the Reich, he spent the early mornings of weeks and months gradually obtaining certification as a pilot and passing his examination as a combat flier. In 1940 he flew combat missions in the Netherlands and Norway. He was awarded the bronze flying medal and the Iron Cross second class. But he was not satisfied.
In 1941, at the beginning of the Russian campaign, he flew combat missions, without my knowledge, and I can confirm this fact with joyous pride and certainty. It was the one secret he kept from me in the eleven years we worked together. He was a fighter pilot in a German squadron in southern Russia, and won the silver front flyer’s medal and the Iron Cross first class.
At this time, destiny reached out to him. Russian flak downed his plane, but luckily he landed between the two lines and dragged himself to the German side, only to go up again the next morning in another plane.
I always held to the view that Heydrich was more important here than as a far-off front soldier, even though I understood his need to do what he did. He was abiding by the law: “do not spare your own blood,” and proved himself in combat, even though his duty as security police chief was in fact much more dangerous.
I always held to the view that Heydrich was more important here than as a far-off front soldier, even though I understood his need to do what he did. He was abiding by the law: “do not spare your own blood,” and proved himself in combat, even though his duty as security police chief was in fact much more dangerous.
In September last year came his greatest task, and, as we now know, his last great task. The Führer made him Deputy Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia when Reichsprotektor von Neurath became ill. Many Germans and Czechs thought: here comes the fearsome Heydrich, who will rule with blood and terror. But during these months, he showed the world his positive creative qualities and applied his genial abilities in the fullest measure. He was firm, pursued the guilty, and engendered enormous respect for German power and law. Yet he gave those who were willing the opportunity to work with him. There wasn’t a problem in the many-faceted life of Bohemia and Moravia that this young deputy Reichsprotektor didn’t solve with aplomb, guided by his understanding of our laws and our Reich.
On May 27th, an English bomb hit him from behind. A paid person from the ranks of the most worthless subhumans had brought him low. Fear and excessive caution were foreign to him, the greatest sportsman of the SS, a bold fencer, rider, pentathlon champion, and swimmer. With courage and energy he defended himself and shot twice at his attackers, though he had been gravely wounded. For days we hoped that his hereditary strength and disciplined, healthy body would overcome his horrible injury. On the seventh day, June 4, 1942, destiny, almighty God the ancient, ended the life of Heydrich, a deep believer but the greatest opponent of the use of religion for political purposes.
On May 27th, an English bomb hit him from behind. A paid person from the ranks of the most worthless subhumans had brought him low. Fear and excessive caution were foreign to him, the greatest sportsman of the SS, a bold fencer, rider, pentathlon champion, and swimmer. With courage and energy he defended himself and shot twice at his attackers, though he had been gravely wounded. For days we hoped that his hereditary strength and disciplined, healthy body would overcome his horrible injury. On the seventh day, June 4, 1942, destiny, almighty God the ancient, ended the life of Heydrich, a deep believer but the greatest opponent of the use of religion for political purposes.
All of us, foremost the Reich Führer, whom he served so loyally, are now gathered to honor Heydrich. He was at the time of his death a paragon of happy family life, and his two young sons are here to represent his courageous wife, who is expecting another child.
The Führer is awarding Heydrich the gold wound badge, and named, on the day of his death, a Waffen SS unit on the eastern front, the 6th SS infantry, “Reinhard Heydrich.”
Heydrich will live on in our holy convictions, which were also his. He honored and advanced the cause of those who shared his blood. He will endure on account of his talents. He was a musical person and a bold warrior, happy and earnest, an unvanquished spirit, a character of unblemished noble purity, upstanding and unsullied. He has transmitted these virtues to his sons, who honor his blood and heritage. His wife and these children deserve our attention and loving care. The SS will look after them well.
The Führer is awarding Heydrich the gold wound badge, and named, on the day of his death, a Waffen SS unit on the eastern front, the 6th SS infantry, “Reinhard Heydrich.”
Heydrich will live on in our holy convictions, which were also his. He honored and advanced the cause of those who shared his blood. He will endure on account of his talents. He was a musical person and a bold warrior, happy and earnest, an unvanquished spirit, a character of unblemished noble purity, upstanding and unsullied. He has transmitted these virtues to his sons, who honor his blood and heritage. His wife and these children deserve our attention and loving care. The SS will look after them well.
He will live On in Our SS Society...
He will live on in our SS society. His memory will aid us when we have tasks to carry out for the Führer and the Reich. He will fight along with us, if we remain true to the law until the end. He will be our companion in good times and bad.He will also be present when we are celebrating with our comrades. For the security police and security service that he created and founded, he will be a model that will never be forgotten, a goal we can aspire to but never reach.
For all Germans he will bear witness as a martyr that Bohemia and Moravia are and always will be German lands, as they have been since time immemorial.
There, in the world beyond, he will abide among the great battalions of dead SS men. He will be with his old comrades: Weitzel, Moder, Herrmann, Mülverstedt, Stahlecker, and many others who in spirit are still fighting with us.
But it is our holy duty to atone for his death, to take up his tasks, and to pitilessly destroy, without any sign of weakness, the enemies of our Volk.
I have one last thing to say: You, Reinhard Heydrich, were truly a good SS man. On a more personal level I thank you for your unwavering loyalty and wonderful friendship, which united us in this life and which death cannot obliterate!
There, in the world beyond, he will abide among the great battalions of dead SS men. He will be with his old comrades: Weitzel, Moder, Herrmann, Mülverstedt, Stahlecker, and many others who in spirit are still fighting with us.
But it is our holy duty to atone for his death, to take up his tasks, and to pitilessly destroy, without any sign of weakness, the enemies of our Volk.
I have one last thing to say: You, Reinhard Heydrich, were truly a good SS man. On a more personal level I thank you for your unwavering loyalty and wonderful friendship, which united us in this life and which death cannot obliterate!