Hitler's Heroine by Jackson Sophie

Author:Jackson, Sophie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2014-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

8

LIVING WITH DISILLUSIONMENT

Himmler’s headquarters in East Prussia were neatly arranged as Hanna paid her long-postponed visit in July 1943. It was early evening and Hanna was worried about the meeting, not least because she had several burning questions to put to Himmler. He greeted her warmly, invited her to dinner and introduced her to his officers. Over their meal Hanna was intrigued to see the easy camaraderie between Himmler and his subordinates. After dinner, Himmler showed her to his study. Hanna’s unease returned. Never one to soften her words just because she was facing one of the most dangerous men in Germany, she began her explanation for her visit with an apology. ‘This is rather difficult for me, Herr Himmler. I have come to thank you for your kind gifts during my convalescence, but I confess your name has only ever been mentioned in my family with trepidation.’ Himmler observed her calmly. ‘Do you always form your judgements so hastily, Frau Hanna?’ he asked as he directed them to a pair of armchairs. ‘What exactly do you find in my name to alarm you?’ ‘I hardly know where to start,’ Hanna said. ‘For one thing, how can you bring yourself to try and root out of men’s hearts their most sacred beliefs when you have nothing remotely comparable in worth to replace them?’ Himmler was amused, but his response was quick. He delivered a speech on the implausibility of the Bible and thus of Christianity, illustrating his argument with examples from the Bible and others Hanna had not heard of. Hanna could not hope to match this rant, so simply said, ‘We are concerned with a religious belief. I cannot compel you to share this belief, but in your position you should respect and not interfere with the religious feelings of others.’

Asking Himmler to show some respect to other religions! Now, better than ever before, Hanna demonstrated her complete naïvety and her misconception that everyone could be a better person, should they only listen to reason. Himmler was naturally unmoved. When Hanna spoke on to a subject she felt passionately about – Himmler’s opinion that women were only useful for reproduction – it was plain she was getting heated and Himmler attempted to calm her. He had been misunderstood, he stated plainly, he too was concerned. Hanna had heard rumours about the SS that could potentially undermine German morality. She may have meant the proviso that had been issued enabling illegitimate children of SS men to be recognised legally, and the general policy that SS soldiers breed as profusely as possible so as to populate Germany with the right sort of person. Himmler shook his head; all wrong, all wrong, he said. Naturally he was lying, but he wove a web around Hanna, leaving her believing his words had been misused and the rumours she had heard were malicious.

Hanna was easily swayed all her life. A kind explanation would be to deem her very forgiving and determined to like everybody.

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