The_Holokaust_-_origins,_implementation,_aftermath

WAR DIARY OF BLUTORDENSTRÄGER FELIX LANDAU
Lexi.
10 July 1941
I left the social evening at 2 o’clock in the morning. I poured as much drink
down me as I could to lighten my spirits and forget for a short while.
Unfortunately to no avail. Ten litres of beer and a few schnapps as well as a
litre of red wine still did not have the desired effect. The next day I felt as if I
had been hit around the head with a sledgehammer. Today I was called to
attend the allocation of assignments. I was working with a colleague from the
SD [name illegible – Ed.] Department II Economics, in addition I was officially
assigned as ‘Judengeneral’ (‘General to the Jews’). I requisitioned two military
vehicles for the department. Others have already done so for their own use. I
have no time for that. The only thing I wanted was a decent apartment. The
arguments with the Wehrmacht continue. The Major in charge must be the
worst kind of state enemy. I remarked today that I would apply to Berlin for
this M. to be put into preventive detention immediately; his actions are a danger
to the state. Take his remark that the Jews fall under the protection of the
German Wehrmacht. Who could have thought such a thing possible That’s
no National Socialist.
14 July 1941 2
I haven’t managed to get round to writing any more in my diary till today. A
great many things have happened. New experiences and new impressions.
On 11 July 1941 a vehicle finally left for Radom carrying Dolte, Binder, Gürth
and Mireck. Regrettably I could not go with them. At least I was able to give
them a letter which I can be sure will arrive. I also have the prospect of hearing
from my little Trude to look forward to. Unfortunately I’ll be getting other letters
as well. Of course, as was to have been expected, our KK [Kriminalkommissar
– Ed.] . . . immediately took advantage of Dolte’s absence to quench his thirst
for action. Barely an hour later his wonderful orders such as ‘Get a move on,
gentlemen, get that whole pile over here to me’ and the like were ringing out.
He had arrests and shootings to his heart’s desire. The prisoners, mostly Jews
but also some Ukrainians, keep on coming. . . . We ‘work’ right through the
night. In the evening a comrade, Urban, and I managed to snatch some time to
go and see a cook from whom we can get Mischlanka, sour milk and new
potatoes. Although the rooms are very small, everything is clean and pleasant.
The people were friendly and obliging. There was also a very pretty young
Ukrainian girl there. Communication – try as she might – was impossible. The
only thing I managed to gather was that she was very interested in me. But my
thoughts as ever are still with my Trude. I am not tempted nor do I want to be.
At 11 in the evening we got back to base. A flurry of activity down in the
cellar, which I had just cleared up that morning. There were fifty prisoners,
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