The trivial daily routine of decision-makers of violence; the story of two hours in November in Stutthof near Gdańsk...
Marcin Owsiński, Stutthof Museum
Frames captured in the photographs show images of several well-known individuals at a specific time and situation. Their gestures, facial expressions or body language indicate specific personal, political or official circumstances. Through an in-depth analysis of sources, relations, details previously imperceptible in the photographs, it was possible to reconstruct in an unprecedented fashion, the mindset and reasons of involvement for those who met then. The book is, primarily, a collective portrait of the SS men in the period of late autumn 1941, which was decisive for the fate of millions of men and women. A routine visit among SS men to Stutthof reflects in many ways the great politics, ambition, animosity and everyday life of the Nazi apparatus of violence.
The visit of the SS Reichsführer and head of the German police to the Stutthof camp on Sunday 23 November 1941 was a one-off and very significant event in the history of the camp. A few hours stay of H. Himmler in Stutthof essentially changed its organisation and scope in the subsequent years of the war and incorporated the camp into the state concentration camp system of the Third Reich following a personal decision of the head of the SS. The set of photographs taken during the visit is also the only known set documenting the Stutthof camp during its existence - it shows the perpetrators and infrastructure of the camp in autumn 1941.
The head of the SS was in the camp during a short recess between frequent trips to the eastern front and meetings with Hitler devoted to the conceptual design of the 'final solution to the Jewish question'. Meanwhile, he was dealing with disputes and informal struggles with opponents in the Third Reich's circle of decision-makers and was also involved in an informal relationship with his secretary. He was 41 years old at the time and was at the pinnacle of power and significance.
Contrary to appearances, a visit to the camp was not the primary purpose of Himmler's several days' visit to Pomerania and Gdańsk. Another interesting conclusion, which has remained unnoticed so far, is that during the
The Stutthof Museum in Sztutowo published a book in December 2020 on the visit of SS Head Heinrich Himmler to the Stutthof camp. The publication only seemingly conceals a set of typical photographs showing the SS chief and his subordinates during their "work". In an extensive text, based on the example of a specific place and time, it comprehensively addresses the overall circumstances surrounding each such visit.