BERLIN — German newspaper Welt am Sonntag has published a trove of letters believed to be written by Nazi SS leader Heinrich Himmler that had not been shown to the public.

On seven full pages the paper on Sunday showed pictures of Himmler and his family smiling into the camera during a fishing trip, the top Nazi taking a bath in a lake or feeding a little fawn.

The newspaper, which says the material is contained in an eight-part series it plans to publish, also quotes excerpts from Himmler's love letters addressing his wife as "my sweet, beloved little woman."

Welt said it worked together with Israeli film director Vanessa Lapa, whose family had the documents in its possession.

Himmler is considered one of the Nazis most responsible for the Holocaust.