Buchenwald I

On 1 November 1996, Böhnhardt, Mundlos and Zschäpe, along with other figures from the far-right scene—including Andre K., Robert H., Holger G., Stefan A. as well as Thomas St. and Enrico P. from Chemnitz—attracted attention at the Buchenwald Memorial, which was visited that same day by a group of Israeli reporters. Böhnhardt and Mundlos wore uniforms resembling those of the SA. According to the memorial, they were recognisable as neo-Nazis by their clothing. “Against this background, it cannot be assumed that you visited the memorial for reasons of historical education and sincere remembrance of the victims of the camp. Rather, your conduct suggests behaviour that is inappropriate to this site and disregards the dignity of the victims and their relatives,” the memorial’s letters stated. An entry in the visitors’ book signed “Uwe” was attributed to one of the two Uwes.

The memorial issued an indefinite ban from the premises for all of them.

(Text and image: Frank Döbert)

External sources

Schäfer-Gutachten im Auftrag des Freistaates Thüringen, 2012, S. 47 Schreiben der Gedenkstätte Buchenwald vom 5.11.1996, zugestellt jeder der genannten Personen Aust/ Laabs, Heimatschutz, S. 131 und 189.