A Rehabilitation Letter signed by SS-Oberführer Dirlewanger; 36th Waffen Grenadier Division

A letter, measuring 208x143mm, extremely fine condition with minor scuffing and two punched holes. It is dated to February 12, 1945 and signed in blue ink by SS-Oberführer Oskar Dirlewanger. Sent to the SS-Führungshauptamt (Leader Headquarters) in Berlin, department IIb (rehabilitation of NCOs and crews). The letter states that several infantrymen ((B)-Schützen) are to be rehabilitated starting January 30, 1945. The names came with an additional list. The men’s personnel records are to be updated. Since the soldiers in Dirlewanger’s unit were criminals who could seek rehabilitation in fighting for the German Reich, this is a letter about several men who had redeemed themselves in this way. Footnote: Oskar Dirlewanger (1895–1945) has been described by several historians as one of the most brutal and sadistic Nazi soldiers, one going so far to call him “the most evil man in the SS”. He fought in the First War, was wounded six times, and earned the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class. During the Second War, he led the 36th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, also known as SS-Sturmbrigade Dirlewanger, which was made up of convicted criminals given a second chance. They were put to fighting against partisans, but also to kill civilians in occupied Belarus and in the Warsaw Uprising. The unit is infamous for possibly being the one unit that committed the most, and most atrocious, war crimes. For his actions in Belarus, Dirlewanger received the German Cross in Gold, and after the Warsaw Uprising, he was promoted to SS-Oberführer in August 1944, and received the Iron Cross of the Knight’s Cross in October. He went on to lead his unit in the suppression of the Slovak National Uprising. He died as a POW of the French under suspicious circumstances.