Last Will Of An SS-Man
In a field hospital, ᛋᛋ-Obergrenadier Ludvik R., senior lecturer in a Silesian city, died of the wounds he had sustained on the eastern front. As his “last will”, he left a letter to his family, which he had written the day he received his summons to the Waffen-ᛋᛋ. This letter provides a deep insight into the perception of life of a symbolic National Socialist, youth educator and soldier. He belongs to the incorruptible believers of our time, who will serve as examples of future generations, who will interpret and explain their deeds.
Should I remain on the battlefield or return in an erratic state, then the following for the family and relatives should be my last will. I want there to be no dispute about material things. Later there will be a German, Germanic law and in it the heart will decide. May this already be a guideline for you. I want all worldly things to be acted upon as my lady and I have decided in perfect agreement. Above all, I do not want any interference in the worldview of raising the children. We are all in the great hand of Fate, and have always tried to develop our destiny and that must be carried on. The life of the Volk is sacred to us and we will stick to the wonderful phrase: “To be one Volk, that is the religion of our time.”
I desire for my relatives to each, according to their wishes, receive an object as a memory. In our family, the heart speaks so strongly that the right objective is found by itself.
I wish with all my heart that my wife remarries, if she thinks she has found the right one. As her type is, I know that the children will also be happy.
Our dear relatives, the children’s godparents and the family’s friends, I ask to be an example of the true friendship, where one is happiest by giving. Of my children, I want them to consider the mother as the most precious possession that life gave them.
Beyond that, the Volk must be their law and guideline. Always be simple, faithful and true. I thank my wife, but words are so poor. She should know that my heart has reached the greatest clarity to grasp the wonderful love with which she surrounded my life with. I wish her that fate fulfills all desires, which I was not fortunate enough to give her. May sorrows and sufferings pass quickly, may she think of me with joyful pride. She gave the greatest. Dearest wife! Look in the spirit of the time we lived together, and enter with full force into the new.
If there exists a redemptive symbol, then it is given in my heart’s blood.
Worship our forefathers and relatives. Be faithful to the Volk. May our people be lifted into a happy future.
I thank my parents who have had to suffer so much for my sake. They should know that it happened in the struggle to gain clarity for our existence. My love always belonged to them. May you all notice how I give you my hand, that your power must grow and that you must be happy. Believe me, my heart’s desire has always been to see you happy. Be it!
In the evening before departure, as it is also my privilege to be part of the big train, where only the effort and the struggle apply.
– Ludvik R.
Source: SS-Heftet, nr. 5, 1944 p. 30, Translated by Karl Jægerlund