William Bilger Stuttgart-W, 2 October 1946

Rotenwaltfstr. 70 A

Explanation.

About the former Police Chief Heinz Wicke, most recently in Stuttgart, I would like to make the following statements:

A native Trosjinger, I had as a young person the opportunity to notice Heinz Wicke in 1910. He arrived in 1907 as a young clerk from Cassel into a Trossinger Kartonaagenfabrik, and has worked his way up in the company to initially authorized officer. As a result of his modesty and self-effacing appearance, and his always courteous and sincere nature, Wicke has been able in a very short time to capture the hearts of Trossinger population. Particularly he was revered by his colleagues and respected. Where Wicke went, shareholders were extremely pleased to welcome him; and for his healthy, irrepressible humor and innate wit, he was received everywhere with joy and gladness.

At age 20, I left my hometown to my chosen career in Stuttgart. Only in 1924, I am reunited with Wicke in Stuttgart, and then have heard of him that he has become established in Stuttgart as an independent sales representative. From that point on I was with him and his wife in constant contact and have joy and sorrow shared with them. In political terms, Wicke was a blank slate. Because he loved his country above all else, he therefore experienced great mental suffering as a result of the disunity of the German people. In social terms, Wicke was a shining example. Some poor people who were seriously struggling to survive, he has helped in their severe distress, and he went sometimes to the point that when his own resources were no longer sufficient, he with his friends made ??a bond to use the money to intervene where poverty and misery was greatest. Very often it was with him, so that the left hand didn’t know what the right was doing!

This brief description shows that Wicke was a national and social-minded person in the true sense of the word. After the German people over the years became more and more mangled, unemployment became greater and the economy was almost on the ground, Wicke decided in 1931 to join the NSDAP, and was then recorded in the SS. As a great idealist and decent man, Wicke served selflessly and disinterestedly in his party. As before, he pursued his career and in his spare time he has made ??the SS of charge. He had then and later full confidence in the then party sizes. He believed the propagandists, as this order advertised cleanliness and peace. It was promoted as self-evident that these men would simply promote the welfare of their own people, as well as that of the rest of humanity. What he demanded of himself that he wanted even more so by the State leadership. Had he not been so great an idealist and optimist at the same time, then his eyes would have been opened earlier. After the so-called power takeover in 1933 Wicke worked in the company of his comrades even more exemplary. He always urged for good fellowship and absolutely honest reflection within its environment. People who wouldn’t comply with his instructions and defied against order and cleanliness, he excluded from its ranks.

His career as an independent sales representative Wicke exercised as before. Everywhere he was, in his deliveries and with customers, a welcome and respected figure. Yes, even his Jewish business friends loved and revered him, even though they knew that he was a member of the SS. You have just estimated with him his honesty and his great human qualities. If these people are still in Germany, they will not hesitate to use their Mr. Wicke. In 1938 Wicke received from the Interior Ministry at Württemberg, an order to take the job of Police Director in Heilbronn. I remember today as then how Wicke, struggling within himself, separating from his profession and following the instructions issued to him, wept. When he finally decided for the Chief of Police position, His motivation was solely the good of the State and its people, since in this position he had a greater opportunity to selflessly serve them, being the best man for the job. By assuming his new position, his financial condition has deteriorated significantly; and even when he was later Chief of Police, his salary has not reached anywhere near the level of his previous income. During his nearly 4-year term in Heilbronn, he probably acted, according to my information, for the welfare and benefit of Heilbronn's population. Over here, however, are reports from the inhabitants of Heilbronn itself. Many of them also who testified that they were certainly not members of the NSDAP, he has spared from jail and Concentration Camps. From Heilbronn, Wicke was in late 1941 moved to Erfurt as Chief of Police. In mid-1944 he came to Stuttgart as Chief of Police. Since even at the beginning of the war I had an emergency service obligation, with 47 years in the management of the Police Bureaus, I again had the opportunity to observe the work and behavior of the new Chief of Police. Wicke was here viewed not only as a manager, but as a friend and counselor, especially by his subordinates. In particular, he had for his police sergeant, air raid members and the like a warm heart, which showed at any time, regarding the needs and concerns of his people, the largest understanding. Kind inquiry with all these people will confirm my details in full.

I have tried to portray Mr. Wicke the man, as I have learned to know him over many years. I sincerely hope that my remarks contribute in some measure to his discharge. What I have presented here, I will repeat on demand at any time under oath.

Yes it has been proven that the Nazis themselves, the good faith of a large part of the people, surreptitiously by false propaganda, knowingly received. Many, and Wicke is a prime example, have believed only in the supposedly good. Such people, including in particular Wicke, abhor especially violent actions and atrocities, as they were known in the past year. With all conscience I can assure you that nobody will accuse Mr. Wicke of violent action or excessive (violent) thinking, since this is not in his nature, even if it were required.

Signed: William Bilger.
The signature of William Bilger, Stuttgart, Rotenvaldstr. 70 is hereby certified by the police.
Stuttgart, 24.04.47 police headquarters Abt.1 / 2 signed IA fisherman
Birth 2 - RM police secretary
(Seal)

SS Oberfuhrer Heinrich Wicke