Two old friends, Frau Bormann and Frau Himmler

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Hello,

I would like to share this rare letter from Frau Gerda Bormann to Frau Margarete Himmler. It was written in the lazy halcyon days of 1938 when everything looked as though it would last forever.

The letter, penned on Martin's personal stationary, was part of a small grouping that included family photos of Gerda, Martin, Hitler, and Fegelein to name a few. Also included were two, Feb. 1946 newspaper clippings concerning "sightings" of Martin in the former Reich.

I've got a translation of the letter that I'll post in a day or so.

Cheers!

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Front

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Back

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Gerda's signature

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"Dear Mrs. Himmler"

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Watermark

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Hitler, Gerda and the Bormann's ten kids at the Berghof.
Looks as Hitler is perhaps passing out chocolate bars.

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The photos were processed by US Signal Corps.

Thanks!

[max history]

Did you get a translation in the end?
Max.

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Hi Max,

here you go.



Dear Mrs. Himmler!

I would like to wish you the best of luck from the deepest of my heart for your birthday. I also hope the coming year will have more luck and happiness for you than you had hoped for. I am sorry for not making it for a visit last Wednesday. I am looking forward to making it in early October. The 3 kids do like it very much in Pullach and are happy to have spent time outside in the garden.

Ilse helps me look after (Erna?) and (kid?) would like to play outside with his buddies all day. I take the two elder ones to the (name of cinema?) every second day and have to find their father in the Wochenschau. We return back home after the Wochenschau so the kids can get to bed earlier than 9:30pm.

The kids can't go outside in the garden here as the building is surrounded by a scaffold and they are in risk of getting hit by downfalling debris. I can't let Erna outside anymore as there is too much noise and chaos.

Luckily this will change. Slowly, one gets the impression of how the mountain will look once they have finished. Hopefully there will not be any interferences so that the Fuehrer can enjoy his mountain.

Bye until next October.

Best Wishes,

Your,
Gerda Bormann

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I think it is fascinating to be able to peer into the everyday lifes of these women. This is really what history is all about. Sure the battles and political rallies are of immense importance. But, it is the simple day to day activities that make up most of our lives, this is REAL history.

I wonder if Gerda is vaguely hinting at Mrs. Himmler's husband's infidelities when she say's "I wish you more happiness than you had hoped for..."

It's not until Gerda mentions "the Fuehrer" does one understand that these are two Nazi women. Even in the simplest letter, Hitler's influence over these people is quite apparent.

Regards

[Andy F-P]

Thanks for sharing. I had never thought of these women, 'putting the children to bed' and the like. I found this really interesting.
Regards,
Andy

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Hi Andy,

I am glad you found the letter of interest. It is strange to see the wives of some of the highest ranking National Socialists being so candid and seemingly normal. I think we forget that these were just plain folks, not monsters, that got caught up in something beyond their wildest dreams.

Frau Himmler and Heinrich separated in 1940 and never divorced, however he did father 2 children with his secretary, Hedwig Potthast. Martin and Gerda had 10 children together, and they both seemingly adored each other. However, Martin's infidelities were notorious. Suprisingly, Gerda encouraged this and asked Martin to bring his mistress home to live as one happy family. Gerda died of cancer in 1946 and her children were sent to various foster homes and orphanages. Her father was Walter Buch, another Party bigwig and Alter kampfer.

Regards