Hanns and Rudolf

You are being taken to the mobile version of Hanns and Rudolf.

This is because you are either using a smaller screen or an older browser, to experience the full site, please use a modern browser on a larger screen.

✕
Hanns
and Rudolf
The German Jew and the Hunt for the Kommandant of Auschwitz

Welcome to hannsandrudolf.com, a digital collection of artefacts recounting the extraordinary true story of Hanns Alexander, the German Jewish investigator who pursued and captured Rudolf Höss, one of Nazi Germany’s most notorious war criminals. Featuring a wide range of exclusive material, including maps, audio and video files, and many previously unseen images, the website expands and augments the physical text in a unique and compelling way.

To use this site, simply click anywhere on the screen and drag. To view an image, click on it and when the ‘i’ appears, click on this to read more.
Explore
Explore the
Characters
  • All
  • Alfred Alexander
  • Anita Lasker
  • Ann
  • Bella
  • Cacilie
  • Elsie
  • Hanns
  • Hedwig
  • Henny
  • Kramer
  • Paul
  • Richard Glucks
  • Rudolf
" "
– submitted by {submitted_by}
►
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
►
i
►
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
Hanns
and Rudolf
The German Jew and the Hunt for the Kommandant of Auschwitz

A letter from Lieutenant Colonel Tilling to Ann Graetz, December 1945

10 December 1945

Alexander Family Archive

A letter from Lieutenant Colonel Tilling to Ann Graetz, December 1945
10 December 1945
View high resolution image
After receiving a letter from Hanns’ aggrieved fiancée, Ann, complaining at the lack of mail she had received from him, Hanns’ superior felt obliged to respond:   10 December 1945   Dear Madam,   As Captain Alexander’s Commanding Officer I feel that some explanation is due from me as to his apparent unwillingness to write to you.   Owing to the peculiar qualities of Captain Alexander’s character, he is invariably chosen for the most hazardous tasks, and in fact at the moment has been detailed by me to carry out a priority investigation into a German harem. This will, of course, entail working at high pressure by day and night, but in spite of working single handed, it is anticipated that with Captain Alexander’s enthusiasm and drive the job should be completed in time for a well earned rest at Christmas in order that he may replenish the lead in his pencil. In conclusion Madam, may I wish you a very happy Christmas, but I feel I must add a word of sympathy with you in your gallant, but I fear, unavailing task, of piloting Captain Alexander successfully through the troubled waters of married life.   I am, Madam, your obedient servant,   T. H. Tilling (Lt Col)   P.S. Actually Alex has no excuse, so if I were you I’d make your next letter even stronger. ​
Return to all images

Subject filter
Mini-map ✕