Description

Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler was instigator of the largest program of racial mass murder in history. January 1945 saw Himmler at his peak in Nazi Germany, controlling the entire German police force (including the Gestapo), and all SS organizations. He was also Minister of the Interior. His powers extended into the German Army and he was Commander of the Replacement Army and two Army Groups-two field commands that revealed his limitations and failure. Between January and May 1945 Himmler vacillated, showing a lack of vision, action, decision and leadership. Even so, he was able to gain control of V-2 rocket production and their launch against Britain. He ordered all concentration camp inmates be shot, before rescinding the order. When his SS Generals asked for instructions, Himmler ordered them to show some backbone as their commands had few bounds. The Swedes and Swiss negotiated with Himmler who then allowed over ten thousand concentration camp prisoners taken to safety before Hitler intervened. Himmler conducted peace feelers via the Swedes before the German surrender in May 1945, whilst trying to make contact with British Field Marshal Montgomery-contacts that went unanswered. Himmler was captured on the 21st of May, and realizing all was lost, committed suicide two days later by biting on a phial of cyanide he had concealed in his mouth. This book chronicles Himmler's diary and his life, movements, communications and actions between 1 January and 23 May 1945.