Hi Everyone,
I thought you might find this recent find interesting. It is a Jubilee edition of "Mein Kampf", as presented to SS Oberfuehrer and commandant of KL Sachsenhausen, Hermann Baranowski, in 1939 by the Kommandaturstab of the Camp, on the occasion of his birthday.
Before I continue, I should add that the book has provenance supporting its acquisition as 'booty'.
According to my research, Baranowski was born in Schwerin on 11 June 1884 and initially built a career in the Navy. However, in 1930, inspired by a speech of Hitler, Baranowski joined the NSDAP. He subsesequently joined the SS in 1931 (Membership number: 24009).
Baranowski steadily rose through the ranks of the SS and from 1934 until the 1 March 1936 was Fuehrer of 4. SS-Standarte. However, following an altercation with another officer, Baranowski was transferred to the SS-TV.
In the following years, Baranowski spent a brief period in charge of KL Lichtenburg, before being transferred to Dachau, where he served under commandant Hans Loritz.
On 1 May 1938, Baranowski was appointed Commandant of the KL Sachsenhausen which he remained in charge of until his death in 1940 (poisinging apparently).
During his tenure of the camp, Baranowski oversaw the execution (under the instruction of Himmler) of August Dickmann, a 29 year old Jehovah's Witness of German origin. The New York Times reported the story and declared Dickmann, the first conscientious objector to be shot by the Nazis.
Of note the entire camp, including Dickmann's brother and some 400 other Witnesses, were made to watch the excecution.
Baranowski also commanded the camp during the admissions and subsequent execution of those persons rounded up following Kristallnacht.
And with the biography, albeit a dark one, behind us, let's move on to the dedication.
As you will see it does not incorporate any fancy calligraphy. However, I feel the wording characterises the ideologoy of National Socialism.
The writing is far from easy to read. However, here is an English translation. I have had this verified by a couple of native German speakers.
This "Book of the Germans" is dedicated in veneration to our camp commandant SS-Oberfuehrer Baranowski on his birthday in the 6th year of the National Socialist Uprising.
We wish that you have a long time ahead in which to become active for our Fuehrer and the German people in the true spirit of this book.
The Kommandaturstab of the Concentration Camp Sachsenhausen.
In closing, I would be interested to hear any comments. Also, if anyone can add to my research please do so, or for that matter point out any errors in my findings.
I am also eager to establish what the initials (at least that's what they look to be) at the bottom of the dedication might be. Baranowski's second in command perhaps?
Thanks for looking.
All the best,
Toby.
I thought you might find this recent find interesting. It is a Jubilee edition of "Mein Kampf", as presented to SS Oberfuehrer and commandant of KL Sachsenhausen, Hermann Baranowski, in 1939 by the Kommandaturstab of the Camp, on the occasion of his birthday.
Before I continue, I should add that the book has provenance supporting its acquisition as 'booty'.
According to my research, Baranowski was born in Schwerin on 11 June 1884 and initially built a career in the Navy. However, in 1930, inspired by a speech of Hitler, Baranowski joined the NSDAP. He subsesequently joined the SS in 1931 (Membership number: 24009).
Baranowski steadily rose through the ranks of the SS and from 1934 until the 1 March 1936 was Fuehrer of 4. SS-Standarte. However, following an altercation with another officer, Baranowski was transferred to the SS-TV.
In the following years, Baranowski spent a brief period in charge of KL Lichtenburg, before being transferred to Dachau, where he served under commandant Hans Loritz.
On 1 May 1938, Baranowski was appointed Commandant of the KL Sachsenhausen which he remained in charge of until his death in 1940 (poisinging apparently).
During his tenure of the camp, Baranowski oversaw the execution (under the instruction of Himmler) of August Dickmann, a 29 year old Jehovah's Witness of German origin. The New York Times reported the story and declared Dickmann, the first conscientious objector to be shot by the Nazis.
Of note the entire camp, including Dickmann's brother and some 400 other Witnesses, were made to watch the excecution.
Baranowski also commanded the camp during the admissions and subsequent execution of those persons rounded up following Kristallnacht.
And with the biography, albeit a dark one, behind us, let's move on to the dedication.
As you will see it does not incorporate any fancy calligraphy. However, I feel the wording characterises the ideologoy of National Socialism.
The writing is far from easy to read. However, here is an English translation. I have had this verified by a couple of native German speakers.
This "Book of the Germans" is dedicated in veneration to our camp commandant SS-Oberfuehrer Baranowski on his birthday in the 6th year of the National Socialist Uprising.
We wish that you have a long time ahead in which to become active for our Fuehrer and the German people in the true spirit of this book.
The Kommandaturstab of the Concentration Camp Sachsenhausen.
In closing, I would be interested to hear any comments. Also, if anyone can add to my research please do so, or for that matter point out any errors in my findings.
I am also eager to establish what the initials (at least that's what they look to be) at the bottom of the dedication might be. Baranowski's second in command perhaps?
Thanks for looking.
All the best,
Toby.
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