Diekmann's 1 June 1944 assessment by Stadler

This was the last Assessment done for Adolf Diekmann before he was killed on 29th June 1944. Note the terms used by Sylvester Stadler to describe him, "open, honest and decent, reliable at all times",with a "perfect soldierly manner". He was also a, "perfect SS-Man", "respected and popular" and "very approachable for advice". These comments do not give any suggestion that Diekmann was either someone approaching a nervous breakdown or an unstable psychopath, rather to the contrary in fact. See also the assessment of Otto Kahn completed by Diekmann with the same date and the assessment of Sylvester Stadler completed by Lammerding on 25th June. Comments below are in italics.

Assessment for 1st June 1944

Assessment notes about Sturmbannführer Adolf Diekmann.

Q. Character appraisal: (Strong and weak, tendencies, addictions)....................

A. Open, honest and decent. Reliable at all times.

Q. Mental and physical disposition, official knowledge and accomplishment....................

A. Above average intellectual disposition. Physically well and completely fit, sometimes somewhat handicapped by lung wound. (Karl Gerlach also was, "somewhat handicapped" as a result of a lung wound: see Gerlach's assessment) Very gifted trainer and educator with much empathy and a particular talent for organisation. Has become a good judge of character.

Q. Appearance and conduct towards superiors, comrades, subordinates - private conduct:.........................

A. Good manners, towards superiors and subordinates, perfect soldierly manner, very good comrade, respected and popular. Very approachable for advice, somewhat receptive during rebukes, because he always gives himself the biggest one.

Q. Ideological alignment, convincing and extempore lecture type?......................

A. Perfect SS Man, that convinces through lectures and personality.

Q. Proving himself before the enemy. Specialist in particular area. Is present service position well filled?.....................

A. Personally very brave, go-getter, very deliberate in the leadership of his Battalion. Present service-position is filled very well.

Q. Suitability for next higher or other application. Detail of undeleted penalties...........................

A. After further experience and employment as a Battalion Commander, suitable to lead a Regiment. Also suitable to be a general staff officer.

Q. Have quoted shortcomings been revealed the assessed in the assessment?...........................

A. Yes. (It seems that the SS carried out 'open' assessments, i.e. the man was informed of his perceived weaknesses. This was not a 'closed' or secret reporting system).

Stadler …………………. SS Standartenführer and Regiment Commander (of Der Führer Regiment)

Comment of the next higher rank.

In agreement …………. Lammerding (Brigadeführer commanding Das Reich 2nd SS-Panzer Division)

Back to Appendices

Back to Home Page