Reinhold Elstner
Reinhold Elstner (b. 1920 in Sudetenland; d. 26 April 1995 in München) was a German World War II veteran and Diplom Chemist.
Death
Elstner committed self-immolation in front of Feldhernhalle (site of the Munich Putsch) to protest against "the ongoing official slander and demonization of the German people and German soldiers". He died in a hospital 12 hours later.
In a farewell letter (excerpt), he wrote (translation by Crusader):
- "Fifty years of unrelenting smear campaigns and demonization of an entire people are enough.
- Fifty years of incessant insults hurled at German war veterans are enough.
- With my 75 years of age, all I can do is to set a final sign of contemplation with my death in flames.
- And if only one German comes to consciousness and finds his way to the truth, then my sacrifice will not have been in vain."
Commemoration
Each year nationalist groups from various European countries try to hold a commemorative ceremony for him, which Bavarian authorities try to prevent through state and federal courts. The band "Forthcoming Fire" dedicated Elstner their album "In Flammen!" (2004).
See also
External links
- Do you know who Reinhold Elstner is?
- Reinhold Elstner's last letter, translated by Hans Schmidt (Archive)
- Commemorative ceremony in 2011
- Commemorative ceremony on 26 April 2022 (Der III. Weg)
