Felix Kersten-Himmler´s doctor

Anyone know more of this man?Like how did he save people from Himmler?

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http://home.pacbell.net/ewhc/kersten.htm

Himmler was reported to have said to his subordinate, Walter Schellenberg, "With every one of his massages, Dr. Kersten deprives me of a life."

This startling statement came out at the time of the Nürnberg trials. Schellenberg, the head of the Third Reich’s Intelligence Agency, on trial for war crimes and trying to gain leniency, claimed he had influenced Himmler to spare the lives of seven Swedish businessmen. However, separate investigations revealed that Dr. Felix Kersten, Himmler’s private doctor, had saved the lives of these businessmen in addition to thousands of Jews marked for execution, while he himself was virtually a captive.

http://www.wileyeurope.com/cda/product/0,,0471396729%7Cdesc%7C2575,00.html

In May 1940, as Nazi panzers overran the Netherlands, Felix Kersten received a summons he dared not refuse. A successful and prosperous physical therapist who had ministered to the Dutch royal family, Kersten was "asked" to forsake his adopted home in the Netherlands and become personal physician to Nazi Reichsf|hrer Heinrich Himmler. While others might have spent the ensuing years paying fearful obeisance to this monstrous and unpredictable master, Kersten discovered that he had both the means and the courage to manipulate the surprisingly naive Himmler.

 

I have his autobiography dated from 1947 or something. Haven't read it yet. Just bits and pieces and in it he writes that during some sessions Himmler was quite approachable on the subject and that he managed to have Himmler set some people free. Also that some people approached him on behalf of some prisoners.

What I gather by smooth talking H. a bit. The bits I read sounded a bit apologetic....

Will read the book soon.

[ 24. April 2003, 05:27 AM: Message edited by: Stevin Oudshoorn ]