Mengele’s letters: My dear, sweet Butzel!

Letters written by Josef Mengele to his wife Irena in 1944.

A word by way of introduction: 

The word “Butzel” (or rather the diminutive “Butzele”) is used in the sense of an informal address to a lover or wife, in a similar figurative sense to, for example, the English Babe (i.e., darling, darling, darling).

We publish for documentary purposes only.

Auschwitz, 26. April 1944

The first surviving letter was written by Josef Mengele to his wife Irena on 26 April 1944, while he was serving in the Auschwitz concentration camp.

The medal Mengele describes, the Kriegsverdienstkreuz, or WarWar (General Definition) War is a state of armed conflict be... More Merit Cross, was created by Adolf Hitler in 1939 to replace the non-combatant Iron Cross. The medal had two grades, 2nd Class and 1st Class, and was awarded with and without swords. The version with swords, which Mengele received, was awarded for service above and beyond the call of duty, though not necessarily in direct combat.

My dear, sweet Butzel!

Once in a while there’s a small ray of light in my bleak daily routine in this concentration camp business. This afternoon at 4pm I was ordered to the commanding officer, and I was awarded a medal (Kriegsverdienstkreuz, second degree with swords). Even though this is not a rare honor, and even though I already possess more valuable decorations, I was touched by the acknowledgment of my work and my dedication. My work sometimes jeopardizes my own health and even my life; therefore I was very appreciative. (You can see my dear Butzele that the medals are coming in slowly one after another to stay on this hero’s chest!!) I was supposed to get it on 4.20.44, the Führer’s birthday, but I wasn’t here since I was home with you. Dr. Thilo got the same honor; we now call it the “typhus medal.”

When I came back they were already waiting for me with 3 bottles of wine and one bottle of champagne. I was with a group of nice people (Fischer, Frank, Mulsow, plus their wives), and we drank whatever we had. During our gathering I also raised a glass to Rolf and his lovely mother.

I’m doing okay so far. My work is going ahead, but I’ve decided that I want to be altogether more reclusive. Berlin doesn’t suit me. I’m feeling better now, but after the long hours on the train my legs were swollen. I will check myself into the field hospital later for a thorough examination. Berlin was quite cold. Especially nurse Emmi took good care of me. Schade used every moment of his free time to be around me. With my boss, I could talk about everything.

I have already mentioned my visit to Lambertz to you. He is still the same: He pretends to be audacious, but in reality he is just shy and inhibited. He still hasn’t found a nice girl, even though he has a casual relationship with a waitress. (Please keep this to yourself, and never, ever let him know that I told you!) I want to introduce him to Schlicks. Maybe Mrs. Schlick can introduce him to nice girls that she knows or something like that!

How are you, Butzele, and how is the boy? I hope everything is just fine. I’m sending kisses from me to both of you.

Yours, Papili.

Auschwitz, 14. December 1944

My beloved Butzele!

Your letters from November 29th, December 8th and December 9th have arrived. I thank you for them from the very bottom of my heart. In these letters you address the question of our moving, and I’m glad to see that we agree on major points that we have to consider. The date is the only thing that’s difficult. You don’t want to come for Christmas; you prefer the time after the Holidays. I don’t think that’s a good idea since the days before the holidays are really bad to start your journey. It would also mean that we’re once again not together on Christmas Eve!

Naturally, I cannot come to visit you, and I won’t be able to pick you up. I might be able to ask Wirths to send a nurse to travel with you. But I know you understand that I would like to avoid asking him. Do you really think it’s impossible for Karl to come along? Or maybe your father? If it looks like he’s being evacuated, they will have to give him a travel permit! I forwarded your wishes to our man who’s responsible for housing (Wilks). I think your requests will be met.

It’s too bad that you didn’t decide earlier, since you had planned on being here by now. But since it takes such a long time to send mail nowadays, you have to decide and act on your own. This letter will probably reach you after you started your journey. It would be awful if you weren’t able to come at all! Perhaps, and this is what I hope, you got the letter that Dr. Precht carried with him, and I hope the letter helped you to make a quick decision to come as soon as possible. Maybe my telegram could have had the same effect?! That would’ve been beautiful!

Please send my regards to everybody, and let me kiss you.
Yours, Butz.
Why haven’t I heard anything about Loes? Do you know how he’s doing?

Other articles:

Mengele’s profile here

Sources:

https://candlesholocaustmuseum.org/educational-resources/mengele-letters.html