Weidinger's June 1934 assessment as a guard at Dachau

        What this assessment shows, is that there was an interchange between the concentration camps and the Waffen-SS and that Weidinger in particular was fully aware of this. It must be appreciated that the concentration camp system of 1934 was not the same as that of 1945 when discipline and supplies were in collapse, or that of the extermination camps, such as Auschwitz / Birkenau. Nevertheless, Weidinger must have known what sort of treatment enemies of the state were to receive and from the record below he did not seem to raise any objections as, "he possesses a clear-cut view of service." He was at this time an SS-Mann (Private). As a matter of interest, another person serving at Dachau at this time was Rudolf Franz Ferdinand Höss (or, Höß) who was later to be the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp and it is certain that the two men must have met.

    Comments below are in italics.


Concentration Camp Dachau: SS-Sturmbann D (Dachau is about 5 miles north-west of Munich)

Assessment

The leadership of the SS-Mann (Private), Weidinger, Otto, SS-Number: 114 921 of SS-Sturm 3/D (in the early days of the SS the naming of the sections followed that of the SA) is to be very well noted and the same is well-known as an upright and intelligent SS-Man, to which leadership qualities can be ascribed. The posting to the Officer School (which in this case was also located at Dachau and was a sub-branch of the SS-Officer school at Bad Tölz) is herewith approved by the SS-Sturmbann D.

Dachau, the 5th June 1934

The Leader of the SS-Sturmbann D

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Concentration Camp Dachau: Headquarters

The SS-Man, Weidinger, Otto, has proven during his membership of the guard troop of the Dachau concentration camp that he owns a high sense of duty and possesses a clear-cut view of service. His completed scientific education and perfect leadership, both on and off duty, finally admits that he is suitable to participate in the SS-Officer Training course.

The Camp Commander: SS-Obersturmbannführer

11th June 1934

 

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© Michael Williams minor revision March 2006