Sympathy for Jakob Kirchhof

Group 11, 19. March 2014

In 1924, my mother gave me this picture of the German Gate in Metz.

She told me, that it was built in the 1300s. This is the only picture that I still have from

the Alsace-Lorraine. We do not have anyphotographs of the house in which Otto, Jens,

Lotte, Katja, Marius, and I were born.

“For the Fatherland”— Because we lived inthe Alsace-Lorraine, we saw bad times

during the Great War. There was the hope, that we could avoid conflicts with the French.

That is why Otto was sent to the Eastern Front.My father kept this piece of propaganda, andI really wanted it. When we learned, that Ottohad died, my father gave the picture to me.

Lotte saved so much money, that she couldafford a camera. She let me take a

couple photographs. Though our time in Munich is only occasionally happy, I alwayslove the Hofgarten. I will miss the beautifulflowers, the lights, and the Munich air when

I am in the SS-TV.

The bell tower in Marienplatz is one of the most beautiful buildings in Munich. WhenI was a boy, Marienplatz was my favorite

place. My mother told me, that the bell towertells the story of a marriage— Duke Wilhelm

V with Renata of Lorraine. Knights from Bavaria joust with knights from Lorraine,but the Bavarian knights always win. NowI know, why my father hated the bell tower

from the start.

My comrades in front of “Station” Treblinka.I cannot remember their names. Names

are not so important anymore. I see the rank,that is displayed on the collar of their uniforms.Photography is strongly forbidden here, but I

think that this photo is innocent enough.

The lupines that we planted over Treblinka II.They bloomed in May of 1944— therewere so many different colors: yellow,

purple, pink. When I close my eyes, I see theseflowers. They appear so beautiful, but I know

how ugly they are in reality.

Petra took this photograph and sent it to mein a letter. We saw bad times in the Great War and we saw even worse times during this war.

There were so many bombing raids. I was very surprised, that our house remained

unharmed.

Before I left Treblinka, I took this photograph.When I arrived back in Munich, trains couldbring me to tears. I can never forget, what

happened in the train to Munich.

I found this map whenI moved in with Katja.I wish I never kept it.

But I shall still hold on toit. When I confess to my

war crimes, my photographs and mymaps will be useful.

They should, at least, convict me.

My sister, Katja, has always loved to draw. WhenI knew, that I would be sent to Poland, Lotte

gave me her camera. But Katja said, “Please let me draw you, you look so handsome

in your uniform.” I was moved to tears, when she gave this to me. If I only knew, what

would happen, what I would do…