Introduction
On the night of April 19, 1945, as the world teetered on the brink of the Second World War’s conclusion, a clandestine and improbable meeting unfolded in a quiet Berlin suburb. The architect of Nazi terror, Heinrich Himmler, sat across from Norbert Masur, a representative of the World Jewish Congress. The man responsible for this astonishing encounter was an unlikely hero: Felix Kersten, a Finnish doctor and physiotherapist with “magic hands” and a mind honed for diplomacy. What transpired that night would become a story of courage, deception, and humanity’s ability to find light in the darkest corners of history.
A Doctor's Unusual Power
Dr. Felix Kersten’s rise to prominence began far from the horrors of war, rooted instead in the quiet science of therapeutic massage. Born in Estonia in 1898, Kersten later moved to Finland and became a citizen, dedicating himself to the mastery of physiotherapy. His innate talent was evident, and under the guidance of Tibetan master Dr. Kô in Berlin, he developed a gift for healing even the most insurmountable physical ailments. By the early 1930s, Kersten’s reputation had spread across Europe, treating aristocrats, politicians, and royalty. It wasn’t long before his skills were sought by one of the most sinister figures of the 20th century: Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS.
An Unlikely Alliance
Himmler suffered from debilitating abdominal and joint pain, agony so severe that traditional medicine, including morphine, offered no relief. Desperate, he invited Kersten to Berlin in March 1939, a summons that Felix initially resisted. Yet, a friend and influential industrialist, August Diehn, persuaded him to comply, marking the beginning of a surreal yet critical relationship. In their first session, Kersten’s hands seemingly performed miracles. Himmler, whose pain had a strong psychosomatic component, felt immediate, remarkable relief. Over time, this relief became a need, and Himmler’s dependency on Kersten grew, granting the doctor influence that he would use not for self-gain but to save lives.
Subtle Acts of Defiance
Kersten discovered his extraordinary leverage over Himmler almost by accident. In August 1940, after successfully treating Himmler, Kersten dared to request the release of a Social Democrat friend detained by the Nazis. To his astonishment, Himmler obliged, casually freeing the man. From that moment, Kersten realized he could manipulate Himmler’s sense of well-being to negotiate for prisoners’ lives. He cleverly suggested that Himmler’s pain stemmed from the moral and emotional conflicts of ordering atrocities, and that alleviating his conscience might ease his suffering. Using this psychological tactic, he influenced Himmler to approve humanitarian concessions.
Saving Lives in Secret
One of Kersten’s most dramatic triumphs occurred in March 1941, when Nazi plans surfaced to deport three million Dutch citizens to Poland. The logistics and stress of this mass relocation, Kersten argued, would devastate Himmler’s health. Reluctantly, Himmler abandoned the scheme, sparing countless lives. Yet, Kersten’s interventions were never easy or safe. Himmler’s notorious deputy, Reinhard Heydrich, viewed the Finnish doctor with suspicion, convinced that Kersten’s presence was a threat to Nazi objectives. Heydrich even plotted to have Kersten eliminated, but Felix, warned by sympathetic members of Himmler’s inner circle, narrowly escaped assassination.
The Ultimate Test: April 1945
As the war drew to a close, Kersten orchestrated his most consequential act of heroism. He arranged the covert meeting between Himmler and Norbert Masur, where an agreement was forged to prevent the destruction of concentration camps and spare thousands of Jewish lives. The Swedish Red Cross, with support from the Swedish government, soon launched a rescue mission, deploying military trucks to save nearly six thousand Jewish prisoners. This operation stood as a testament to the power of one man’s determination to do good in a world unraveling into chaos.
A Tarnished Legacy and Redemption
Despite his life-saving work, Kersten’s post-war years were marred by accusations of collaboration. Sweden even denied him residency, and for years, his motives were questioned. It took the intervention of historians and endorsements from grateful nations, including the Dutch royal family, to clear his name. The truth became undeniable: Felix Kersten had risked everything to save tens of thousands of lives, using the psychological hold he had over one of history’s most infamous war criminals.
In the end, Kersten’s efforts were celebrated with honors from the Netherlands, France, and multiple nations. Yet, one recognition always eluded him: he was never declared Righteous Among the Nations by Israel. Nonetheless, his legacy endures as a complex, fascinating story of courage, manipulation, and the enduring belief in the power of doing good, even when surrounded by evil.
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