and pious efforts to justify certain courses of action, interpolated with tiresome, repetitive opinions and ideas, which had already been thrashed out, thousands of times. These statements, however, were made with resolution and confidence Hitler's Political as if they were verities whose truth could not be questioned, statements made ex cathedra by a leader draw­ Testament ing upon experience gained in the course of a stormy career for the benefit of future generations. In­ DR. NATHAN ECK deed this volume might serve as a kind of gospel for Neo-Nazis, who surely would be able to expound and reconcile the absurdities and contradictions it contains. Whose GuiU? A FEW hours before committing tween February 4 and April 2, 1945. suicide on 30 April, 1945, in his On April 17, 1945 Bormann placed Who was responsible for Germa­ shelter beneath the Reich Chancel­ them in the ha,nds of a trusted aide ny's defeat? How were victories con­ lery Building in beleaguered Berlin, who was permitted to leave the un­ verted into defeats? Why did Hitler Hitler, as it is known, dictated derground shelter in order to con­ attack Russia, opening up a second a document entitled "Mein Politi­ ceal them in a safe spot. front against himself, after having sches Testament" (My Political The editor of the volume has declared upon more than one oc­ Testament), which was an exhibit with justice entitled it, "The Poli­ casion that Germany would never before the International Tribunal tical Testament of Hitler". again fight on two fronts, and had at Nuremberg. In fact, however, this even reached- an agreement with document was no more than an at­ Belief in a "Miracle" Stalin (in 1939) to prevent such a possibili ty ? tenuated appendix to far more ex­ In February, 1945 the Western tensive and detailed statements Hit­ armies stood on the banks of the The reply is that everybody was ler had dictated to Bormann in the Rhine, while those of Soviet Russia to blame except himself. The same shelter, which constituted his had already crossed the Oder. Ger­ guilt rested mainly upon his adver­ main political testament. These many's position was deteriorating saries: Churchill and Roosevelt. statements were revealed years later daily and it was already clear to Th~y should have known, he com­ and published in France only in every intelligent person that defeat plamed, that for the good of their 1 own peoples and countries they must 1959. - was inevitable. Even the Fuhrer saw s~pport his plans, but they opposed As early as 1952~53 notes taken this though he refused to acknow­ of talks (in fact: monologues) by ledge the fact openly as he hoped h~m and fough~ against him. Why Hitler were published in English and for a miracle ... Look at Frederick dId they do thIS evil to their own French and partly in German. These the Great, King of Prussia, the peoples? Because they were no more were views expressed between July Fuhrer ·said and Bormann noted. In than tools in the hands of the Jews! 5, 1941 and November 30, 1944. the Seven Years War in the 18th Not only did these undefeated adver­ The statements were made by Hit­ century, Frederick's situation was saries constitute an obstacle in his ler usually while at meals in the desperate. He too was faced by a path, but also foes who had been overthrown and forced to surren­ company of his close associates i~ strong coalition of the East and the the Fuhrer's Headquarters. His West, intent upon destroying him. der: the French. They had bitterly faithful aide, Bormann, ensured that He could see no way of escape, but disappointed him. He should have they be taken down by stenograph­ did not consider surrender. He de­ treated them differently, not as the ers who were present at the time. cided that he would rather die than courteous, humane, trusting victor. After the statements had been re­ surrender. He had already deter­ His allies were also to blame as we corded Bormann would go over mined the day of his suicide, but at shall see below. The German gene­ them, correct them and file them. the last moment a miracle occur­ rals and diplomats were to blame The notes published in 1959 (which red. The Tzarina died and her suc­ for not understanding National So­ were discovered shortly before in cessor did not wish to continue the cialism properly and for holding Bavaria) accordingly constitute a War. The coalition disintegrated fast to their traditional views and new, third volume, of Hitler's talks and Frederick was saved. Hitler methods. The entire German people the last statements he made be~ waited for a similar miracle in 1945. was to blame. The Fuhrer had not He waited until April 30, when the had the time to raise a new German generation nourished upon his doc­ 1 Le Testament Politique de Hitler Soviet Russian armies had almost Notes R ecueiJIies par Martin Bormann: reached the very entrance to his trine. The generation he had led to Preface de H.R. Trevor-Roper, Com-­ shelter. In the meantime he spoke war was not trained for its mission mentaires de Andre Franc;ois-Poncet its stature was too small. - ' Version Franc;aise et Presentation d~ aloud "thoughts and ideas" for his­ Franc;ois Genoud. tory--and Bormann noted them. However the direct cause which (Hitler's Political Testament, Notes What he took down from Hitler had upset his most precise calcula­ taken by Martin Bormann. Introduc­ tions and his most brilliant plans, tion by Prof. H . R. Trevor-Roper, is a pile of conscious and uncon­ Notes by Andre Franc;ois-Poncet scious distortions, which contradict the source of evil, was his teacher, [French Ambassador to Germany be­ each other on practically every page, mentor and friend-Mussolini! The fore the outbreak of the Second World ­ charges against his enemies, against fact that Mussolini attacked Greece War]; French version and presenta­ tion by Franc;ois Genoud). Librairie his allies and even against his com­ prematurely without informing Hit­ Artheme Fayaud, Paris, 1959. patriots; attempts to explain events ler beforehand, the shameful defeats

12 suffered by the Italians in this cam­ ages. Mussolini would have told his gotten that at all costs "he must paign, which compelled Hitler to son-in-law Ciano, who could not prevent a war on two fronts." He come to Mussolini's aid, the sudden keep a secret from the women sur­ had also pondered deeply "the Rus­ revolution in Yugoslavia, caused, in rounding him. sian experience of Napolean." But his view, by "this foolish campaign", the attack was vital for these rea­ the need to divert so many divisions Why did He AUack Soviet Russia? sons: to save the Italian Army and to Why did Hitler decide to attack Firstly: After all hope of an in­ conquer the Balkans,-all these com­ Soviet Russia? Alas, "this was the vasion of England had been lost as bined resulted in that instead of most difficult decision in this war!" "the foolish leaders of that country launching the attack on Soviet Rus­ Let no one think that he had for- refused to accept our hegemony in sia on May 15,1941, as he had plan­ ned, he was forced to delay it for abou t six weeks (to June 22). This THE TURN OF THE JEWS OF GRECE AND ITALY postponement decided the fate of the Nazi Reich. If it had not been for this loss of time the campaign in Russia could have been con­ cluded before the onset of the early bitter winter of 1941/42, and then everything would have been dif­ ferent. (Talks of February 15 and 17). Needless to say, had Mus­ solini told him of his intention to embark upon the campaign of con­ quest in the Balkans he would have known how to dissuade him. But was it his, Hitler's custom to inform Mussolini of his own plans? Did he inform him of his intention to attack Soviet Russia on May 15? Far from it. "Notwith­ standing my complete confidence in him I did not inform him of my plans", because of the fear of leak-

--+ On 5 November 1943 Eichmann add­ ressed an enquiry to the German Foreign Ministry: how must the Jews hold­ ing foreign citizenship, living in Greece and Italy, be treated? The question had arisen because "a settlement of the Jew­ ish question in Greece and Italy is be­ ginning." Eichmann maintained that these Jews were participating in the "destructive operations" of the Badoglio Movement and that they were at least among the sympathizers of this Movement... For that reason they must be deported ... Eichmann, accordingly, asked for the Foreign Ministry's consent to the depor­ tation of these Jews together with the local Jews (in other words, their des­ patch to the death camps). Should the representatives of the countries of which these Jews were citizens intervene, some excuse could always be found. But if the Foreign Ministry refused to agree, Eichmann had another sugges­ tion: to imprison these Jews in special camps and to deport them to "their own countries" when suitable, provided it transpired that they had not ."parti­ cipated in destructive activities." This did not apply to Jews with the citizenship of enemy countries (not oc­ cupied by the Germans!), such as Ame­ rica and the British Commonwealth. In this case the Nazis feared reprisals against Germans living in those coun­ tries.

13 Europe," and relied upon the fact forces which they themselves had (February 21). When Hitler speaks that as long as there was another encouraged or roused." (February of "localising the war" he is of course great power in Europe Hitler would 7). The historical examples prov­ not thinking of any moral aspect, of not divert all his strength against ing this, in his opinion, were the an­ minimising the number of victims Britain-there was the danger that cient Greeks and in modern times and human suffering, but of the the war would be prolonged inter­ Spain, France and England, who possibilities of waging the "inevit­ minably. Germany could not permit "wasted their strength and their en­ able war" under the most favour­ herself a long drawn-out war. Her ergy in idle colonial projects." Thus able conditions, on one front, as in prospects of victory depended upon Germany must seek to win a con­ 1938 the Western Powers were not blitzkrieg. For that reason he re­ tiguous continental territory for an yet ready. It is true that Germany, .solved "to deprive Britain of the Eurasian Empire. "Eastwards, al­ too, was not yet fully armed and hope that another great adversary ways eastwards!" he cried out. equipped, but it was superior, as would confront us on the European "That is the direction given by na­ Hitler says, to other countries. continent." In other words: By at­ ture for the expansion of the Ger­ The great, historic mistake he tacking and destroying Russia he mans." made, accordingly, was that he ag­ hoped to persuade Britain to make The Germans must not confine reed to a peaceful solution at peace with the Reich. themselves to small things, such as Munich. "We should have forced an Secondly: Soviet Russia would amassing wealth, and give up great armed decision without taking into become steadily more powerful, and ambitions. This attitude suits na­ account .our adversaries' willingness one day certainly would attack Ger­ tions with narrower horizons such as to concede everything" (February many. It was better accordingly to Sweden or Switzerland, or a con­ 21), for then it was still possible anticipate her and get in the first temptible State like the Weimar Re­ to embark upon the conquest of the blow. public, but not the Third Reich. eastern territory without interfer­ Thirdly: Germany stood in need But-an empire, cannot be establ­ ence on the part of the West. of the raw materials available in ished by peaceful methods. That is Russia, while the latter would have why war was inevitable. "The Jewish War" increasingly reduced the supply of "The war was essential for this But even later the Western Pow­ these materials notwithstanding her simple reason, for avoidance of ers might have allowed him a free commitments. war would have meant betraying hand in the East had it not been for But all these "reasons" are the interests of the German peo- . the Jews. "I did not correctly esti­ thoroughly false. In his talk of Feb­ pIe" (February 4). mate the extent of Jewish power in ruary 4 he "explained" that inestim­ Churchill's England." (February 4). able good would have accrued to The Great Mistake: The The fact that in this fateful period the whole world and particularly to Munich Agreement the "drunkard Churchill" ruled Eng­ Great Britain, had the latter agreed Since war was the destiny of the land was a divine punishment upon to make peace with the Reich in the German people the question that that .country, Hitler claimed. Had beginning of 1941. "England, freed remained was only: When? Hitler Britain in Hitler's time, had a leader of its European concerns, would wanted to declare war as soon as of the stature of Pitt in the Napol­ have devoted herself entirely to the possible. While in the shelter, he eonic era (frequently Hitler made development of her Empire. On the voiced his regret that he had not comparisons between himself and other hand, Germany, secure against taken the initiative in 1938 instead Napoleon) he would have under­ any danger in her rear, could have of waiting for another year. But "I stood that the interests of his coun­ plunged herself into her main task, could do 'nothing as the English and try demanded that he do not op­ the task that is my life's goal, the the French had accepted all my de­ pose the unification of Europe and raison d' etre of National Socialism: mands at Munich" (February 14). the man who would and could im­ the destruction of Bolshevism. And To this day it is generally thought plement it. in this act in any case is involved that Hitler won a brilliant victory Had Britain made peace with the the conquest of the territories in the at Munich and that the French and Nazi Reich she could have been the East which are necessary for secur­ British representatives suffered de­ "mistress of nations, a , deciding ing the future of the German peo­ feat, shamefully surrendering. This Judge of the world." But this was ple." was not the view of the "victor". He not to be because the Jews did not This statement too is only a half­ regarded the Munich Agreement, want it to be. Indeed there was truth. It was not just the destruc­ accepting all the demands he made, never such a Jewish war as this tion of Bolshevism that was his life's resolving the crisis through peace­ war!" (13 February). aim and the basis of National Social­ ful methods and preventing - or "I was Europe's last chance," he ism. That was only the means, the rather deferring - war, as a disas­ cried in helpless anger (February road leading to the true objective. ter for the Reich. "When that grand 26). And now, he complained, it The great objective was the occupa­ bourgeois and capitalist Chamber­ could have been possible to unite tion of the Eastern territory. lain with his lying umbrella took the Europe rapidly and easily, "seeing From the time of "Mein Kampf" trouble to come to Berghof (Hitler's that the Jewish poison has been re­ to the last talks in the shelter under residence in Berchtesgaden) in order moved." the Reich Chancellery Hitler re­ to negotiate with Hitler, that ple­ The true meaning of the term, peatedly disclosed that the essence beian who had become a celebrity, "unification of Europe" as used by of his ambitions and aspirations was he already knew that he would wage Hitler" was, of course, reduction to to create a large empire for the a merciless war against us. He was servitude, exploitation, conversion German people. Not an empire ready to say anything to me in order into part of the German world em­ "scattered over the seven seas", as to put me to sleep. His only objec­ pire which he schymed to establish. experience had shown overseas tive in that trip was to gain time. "The Jewish poison" was a stumbl­ operations resulted ultimately in the Our interest, however, was to strike ing block. So he removed it, in impoverishment of nations engaged immediately. We should have de­ other words he immediately destroy­ in them ..." All of them finally, were clared war in 1938. That was our ed the Jews. He regarded the Jews compelled to bow to pressure of last chance to localise the war." as an obstacle preventing the estab-

14 lishment of the Nazi Empire between PLANS AND OPERATIONS OF THE HUNGARIAN HANGMEN the Atlantic and the Pacific. Prior to the outbreak of war, in one of his speeches, he discussed the "disinte­ grating" function of the Jews in the ancient Roman Empire. He drew upon what he had read (but had not understood or did not want to understand) in the work of Theodor Mommsen on the Roman Empire. Mommsen stated that the Jews were I a "decomposing" element in the Roman Empire. This element of de­ composition-as Hitler termed it, "the Jewish poison" -must be re­ moved in order to facilitate "the J unification of Europe", which of course meant the establishment of a Nazi Empire 2. In these talks, likewise, we en­ counter the term "decomposition" in regard to the Jews and empires. On February 26, Hitler suddenly said, contrary to the views he had expressed all his life (this, as stated, is not the only contradiction in these talks) that at one time he "hoped that it would be possible to maintain a serious, if not friendly agreement between Stalin's Russia and the Third Reich." As a "sober realist" he assumed that "we could create conditions for a lasting agreement." Upon what was this hope found­ ed what persuaded him to assume the possibility of compromise with the hated Bolshevist state? This is what he replied: "The ruthless method Stalin ad­ opted in destroying the Jewish intel­ lectuals, notwithstanding the fact that they were so effective in ac­ celerating the decomposition of the Tzarist Empire, could have streng­ thened our hope. I thought that h~, Stalin, did not wish to permit the Jewish intelligentzia to cause the Veesenmayer, the Reich 'represent- telegram a joint meeting of Eichmann decomposition of the totalitarian ative in Hungary, reports on the pro- and his aides on the ,one hand, and empire he had created .. ." gress of death transports in that coun­ members of the Hungarian administra- Thus it was not only in the Ro­ man Empire that the Jews constitut­ try: The evacuation ,of the Jews of tion and police on the other was held in ed a disintegrating element, but also Carpatho-Russia and Transylvania was the office of the Deputy-Minister Baky. in the empires of the Tzar and Sta­ proceeding without friction. Up to the At this meeting all details of the round- lin... All the more they would be a present (May 25, 1944), 150,000 have ing up of the Jews of this district were decomposing element in the world been sent to their "destination." empire which Hitler sought to est­ settled and the organization of the dis- ablish. That is why "he did wisely" On June 5, the concentration of the patch of 100,000 other Jews from east in decreeing that they should be ex­ Jews of the northern environs of Bu­ of the Danube ("the fourth District") terminated in all territories he oc­ dapest ("the third district") will com­ was decided upon. cupied. mence. About 65,000 Jews will be Baky was sentenced to death and I t may be asked in spite of this: Why did he not wait until after vic­ rounded up and will "be sent to their hanged after the war. tory, after he had established his destination" by the June 15 ... Veesenmayer spent three years in empire? The reply: Because he did On the day of the despatch of the gaol and today is a free man. everything in a hurry. He dare not lose time. "Fate had decreed that I THE Y AD WASHEM BULLETIN must do everything in the course of appears in Hebrew, English (three issues annually) and Yiddish (two is­ the short span of one man's life ..." sues annually). The cost of the Hebrew or English issue is IL2 per year, and the cost of the Yiddish issue is ILl per year. Every subscriber to the Yad Washem Bulletin is given a reduction in the 2 I discussed this problem in my article price of publications distributed by Yad Washem. Please apply to the "European and Jewish Resistance" Circulation Department, Yad Washem, P.O. Box 84, Jerusalem, Israel. Yad Washem Bulletin No. 8/9.

15 THE INFLUENCE OF EICHMANN'S FRIEND - THE MUFTI "compared to others who have be- fore them limitless time, I have only a few years before me." Prior to his attack on Russia the destruction of the Jews had been conducted in­ directly "and relatively slowly. With the launching of war against Soviet Russia his imperial plans-in his view-entered the phase of imple­ mentation. For this reason the de­ struction was accelerated and car­ ried out directly,- by the massacre of millions. Verily, "There has never been such a Jewish war as this war!" America Declared War for the Jews An"entire talk (or more correctly monologue)-of 24 February-was devoted by Hitler to the United States. Against the latter he made charges similar to those directed against Britain: Why should the United States join the enemies of the Reich? The war waged by the United States against the Reich was "unreasonable, devoid of any real basis." Germany wanted nothing from the United States, while the latter had nothing to fear from Ger­ many. "The United States has vast territory, which gives her adequate outlet for her energy. We, too, all we hope for is to ensure complete economic independence for ourselv­ es on an area necessary for the pot­ ential German population. A great people stands in need of a great ter­ ritory." Underlying this remark is his constant striving to win an en~ tire continent, to establish the world Reich from ocean to ocean. If only: Germany could consummate this, ambition, the two giants-he claim­ ed-could live tranquilly side by side in complete harmony. But be­ cause of the Jews this was not to be. "World Jewry chose that country Eichmann's letter from Budapes t emigration to Palestine was not stressed, in which to establish its strongest (dated July 24, 1944) to the head of­ as it was only stated that all efforts fortress!" But the time is not far; fice of his service in Berlin-the not­ must be made to prevent emigration to at most within 25 years, Hitler pro­ orious "Fourth Department." Palestine." He requested Berlin to dis­ phesied, when the Americans will realise what "this parasitical Jewry" The Swedish and Swiss Embassies patch an explicit and stringent warning has done to them. It dragged Amer­ made representations to the Hungarian not to include in the "emigration" re­ ica into "adventures which have Government to allow a number of J ews ferred to any emigration to Palestine. nothing to do with her, for interests to leave Hungary" From Eichmann's let­ In the meantime-Eichmann stated­ which are not hers." To Hitler it ter we learn that Hungarians contacted steps were in any case being taken to was clear that within twenty five years the Americans would develop the Government of the Reich in the frustrate the emigration operations. Since into the most violent anti-Semites. matter, which had given its consent. for the departure of any Hungarian Jew The population of America is still Eichmann complains that on the basis a transit permit from the German Army made of millions of individuals of of this consent the embassies were al­ also was required it was possible by various races, not integrated by any ready preparing exit visas for the Jews, procrastination "to continue the evacua­ national consciousness. Up to the but only emigration to Palestine and not tion" (the deportations to the death present they have had an easy, com­ fortable time but "in the course of camps) until the problem was "solved" to any other country was dealt with" . . time difficulties and experiences are He complains that in the letter intim­ in any case ... in store for them which will assist ating the consent of he German Gov­ Here also the influenCe of the Mufti is them in maturing"; a national spirit ernment the strongest opposition to recognizable: will be created within them and

16 will unite them, and then their eyes A SUGGESTION OF "GENNIUS" will be opened. For "the tricks that the Jews allowed themselves in our midst until National Socialism put an end to them are as nothing com­ pared to what they are permitting themselves now and will yet permit themselves in that new field of ex­ ploitation." The time will come when the Americans will realize that the Roosevelt whom they admire so much, is no more than an idol with feet of clay, an evil man who has sinned against his own country and all Mankind because "he dragged them along a road which is not theirs, and compelled them to take part in a quarrel which is none of their concern." Had they had any­ thing at all of a political instinct they would have remained in their "splendid isolation". It was a fatal disaster for America that at such a time it was not headed by a great President of the calibre of Lincoln, but by- "the criminal Roosevelt." The United States, it seems, was un­ lucky ... But so was Hitler. "It is a tragic disaster that at the time that I reached power in Germany, the United States was headed by Roose­ velt, the Jews' choice. Had it not been for the Jews and Roosevelt their creature, it could have been otherwise ..." I t cannot be denied that in these statements the Fuhrer has bequeath­ ed to his followers explosive pro­ paganda material for use in Amer­ Ica.

Friendship for the World of Islam The "bad luck" of Hitler and the German Reich was to be found elsewhere too. We have already mentioned the pretext presented to history by the Fuhrer to explain its This document is an internal letter and will try in this manner to rouse defeats in Soviet Russia: The Ital­ written on 2 7 May 1944 by the Di­ opinion in their own countries and ians upset his plans by their "foolish rector of the Press Office of the Ger­ among the neutrals." For which reason attack" on Greece. But his Italian man Foreign Ministry, Dr. Schmidt, to he proposed the following idea of "gen- allies caused another complication. "the Secretary of State" (a deputy-mi­ ius." How? By the very fact that they nister) whose name is not specified. "Perhaps it is advisable to prevent all joined in the war. Italy's participa­ The Press Officer in question, Dr. these things (i.e. the reaction abroad) tion in the war served Germany's Paul Schmidt (not Hitler's translator of by providing a reason and motive for enemies more than it did Germany the same name) thought up a "brilliant" the operation. For example: the disco­ itself. "The Italian ally interfered idea which he submitted to the deputy­ very of explosives on the premises of with us practically everywhere." It minister in all haste describing his let­ Jewish organizations and synagogues, of would have been extremely worth­ ter as a "Reichsecret." Schmidt had sabotage organizations, plans for revolu­ while for Germany-explains Hit­ learnt-thus he wrote-that within a tion, attacks on the police, the smug­ ler-to adopt "a revolutionary pol­ short time, in the month of June, a gling of money on a large scale with a icy" in North Africa, in the Middle major operation against the Jews of Bu­ view to undermining Hungarian curren­ East and in Iraq, indeed in the Is­ dapest would be launched. (It must be cy. In conclusion, a signally grave inci­ lamic world generally. But such a noted that at that time most of the dent would be necessary to be fonowed policy was made impossible because Hungarian Jews had either been mas­ by the launching of the great hunt ..." of the Italians. "Had we remained sacred or sent to hard labour and tor­ The reaction of the deputy minister alone we could have liberated the ture). As a member of the press, he was is given below in script: "The proposal African countries under French sensitive to public opinion. For that of Herr Schmidt must be transmitted to rule." This, Germany could have reason he feared that the "operation" Veesenmayer with a request of his opi­ done easily and would have evoked in Budapest would evoke a reaction in nion." powerful repercussions in the Middle the world. "The enemies will protest Edmond Veesenmayer was the dip­ East and throughout the Islamic against the hunt of human beings and lomatic representative of the Reich in world. Everywhere the Moslems the like, will spread reports of atrocities Hungary in March-November, 1944.

17 were ready to rise and to become cessant talk to lend them the ap­ blood," otherwise it would be diffi­ the allies of Nazi Germany. But the pearance of reason, and find some cult to explain the special physical I talian ally tied their hands. "Our justification for them. characteristics which distinguish friends in the Islamic countries saw He himself had declared before them, throughout the world. But in Germany the partners of the hat­ the whole world upon more than that is not the most important ed Italians." For Italy had colonies one occasion ( though the world thing. "A spiritual race is something in North and East Africa and want­ had not given any credence to his more stable and enduring than just ed to seize Tunisia, etc. It was im­ statements) that he would destroy a race. Hence, the spirit is more possible to "liberate" the Moslems the Jews of Europe. This satanic powerful than the flesh ..." in the French colonies without rous­ plan was almost completely con­ The other crime which he en­ ing the Moslems in the Italian colo­ summated. But here in his shelter deavoured to explain and justify by nies against Germany's ally. "It was he was troubled without surcease by all sorts of contortions was commit­ possible to conduct great policy in the patent fact that the unparal­ ted against his own people and relation to Islam, but the entire elled crime had brought him no ad­ country. He would continue to speak matter was destroyed-like many vantage. He had not achieved his about this crime daily for hours, other things-because of our loyalty objectives by using it as a means of seated in his shelter, as he shed to the Italian alliance." (Through­ extortion, for the Reich had suf­ words of wisdom into the ears of out his life Hitler bemoaned the fered decisive defeats both by the Bormann. At. that time, already, no losses and defeats he had sustained country of "Jewish Bolshevism" in reasonable person could see any pur­ because of his "excessive" honesty, the east and by the countries of the pose in the continuation of the war. loyalty, courtesy and other qualities) "Judaized" Churchill and Roosevelt In February, 1955 Silesia was alrea­ "Loyal" Germany took into con­ in the West. And after the plan dy lost and the Ruhr ruined. The sideration the interests of her Ital­ for eastern conquest and for the production of coal had declined to ian ally, for which reason not only creation of a Nazi empire had be­ one fifth of what it had been a year could the British remain secure in come a mockery the destruction of before. The sources of natural oil­ the Middle East, but could even ap­ the "decomposing element" remain­ Rumania-had been blocked some pear, as in Syria and in Lybia, in ed, even from this aspect, a useless months before. The synthetic oil re­ the role of liberators ... But Hitler crime. For this reason he returned fineries had been destroyed and expressed the hope that the Mos­ again and again in his last days to stocks were declining from hour to lems would appreciate the quandry the subject of the Jews, notwith­ hour. Germany still had thousands of Nazi Germany, would not cast standing the fact that a . veritable of planes but they could not take any doubt upon its good intentions mountain of other concerns troubled off because of the lack of fuel, and and believe in its lasting friendship him. He explained again and again the enemy air force destroyed them towards them. It is, of course, com­ the incapacity of the Jews to assi­ on the ground. As early as January mon knowledge that to this day milate completely among the na­ 30, 1945 Alfred Speer, who was in friendship and cooperation continue tions in whose midst they lived, and charge of arms and ammunition to exist between the followers of he justified himself before History supplies, submitted a memorandum Hitler and some rulers of Moslem that "for us this (i.e. the destruc­ which opened with the words, "We countries. tion of the Jews) was a matter of have lost the war." and continuing: therapy, of removing a poison from There are supplies of coal for the AUempts at Justification Down our bodies ;-otherwise we might railways and factories sufficient for to the Last Moment have choked'" (February 13). If only a fortnight, etc. etc. We must Throughout his life Hitler used to the Jews proved victorious, the finish. But Hitler, who had resolved teach his followers and disciples that world would be increasingly cor­ to commit suicide before surrender, the victors are never asked if they rupted by that poison, but "the Ger­ put off the final decision. Everyday were justified or not, if the methods man people is immune to it and in and every night the enemy planes they adopted were honest or dishon­ the end will overcome it." "From sQwed death and destruction in the est. In March-April 1945, however, this point of view it could be said cities of Germany. Tens of thou­ buried in his shelter under the that for the expulsion of the Jews sands were killed, unnecessary suf­ ruined Reich Chancellery building from Germany and from Central fering was caused to millions but the everything he uttered was practically Europe National Socialism was crazed Fuhrer remained raving in intended to exonerate and justify worthy of gratitude." He "foresaw" his shelter and did not give the himself. Reviewing the more impor­ terrible dangers in store for the liberating signal. On the contrary, tant events of his rule and the pro­ white races in Europe and in Ame­ he continued to give mad orders to blems confronted he blamed-need­ rica. The black and yellow races military divisions that were already less to say-only others for his fail­ would subjugate them and domin­ non-existent, issuing orders which ures. He himself had never erred, ate their countries. Only those white the recipients either could not or his plans had been correct and lo­ races "capable of rooting out from would not carry out. gical but others-both near and far, their midst the lethal Jewish poison" Thus, on March 19-20 he ordered foes and friends-had upset and would be able to withstand the trials the destruction of factories, power frustrated them, or his plans had in store. Thus he continued in order stations, water works, food and failed because of objective causes, to lend rhyme and reason to this act clothing stores, trucks, locomotives, which could not be foreseen and of folly and crime. Now, incidentally, etc. etc.-in a word to destroy what could not be surmounted by any he turned the Nazi racial doctrine in remained in Germany to ensure human being. regard to the Jews inside out. He ex­ that the invaders would not benefit. Among his criminal acts, however, plained that "only as a matter of But Alfred Speer did not carry the there were two-acts of the most lingual convenience do we speak of order out, and boasted of the fact wicked folly-for which by no man­ a Jewish race as there is really no after the war. ner of means could others be made Jewish race in the genetic sense. At this time the Fuhrer engaged responsible. For this reason indeed The Jews are primarily a spiritual in "rationalization," "explaining" in he would speak of them more than race." At the time every Jew prob­ "prophetic style" his behaviour and of any other matter, and try by in- ably has "some drops of Jewish his crazed orders, putting off the

18 end. "The more we suffier the more brilliant will be the revival of eter­ nal Germany." "I have sown good seed, I have implanted in the heart of the German people a proper un­ derstanding of its war of survival." Eichmann ~ Role (25 February). "In this cruel world in which we have been plunged in~ to two wars, only those white races in the Destruction of Jews will survive and prosper who know how to suffer, who have the courage to fight, even without hope, until By DR. J. KERMISCH death . .." This was the explanation offered by the criminal. But at that INCE the Nuremberg Trials-as Jundenfrage", and at the same time time others were explaining it quite the arraignment of twenty one was engaged in the complete imple­ differently. S leading war criminals before the In­ mentation of the plans, gave his or­ Among the handful of Jews still ternational Military Tribunal in that ders, as far was possible, orally. For surviving in these last months of the city is known-the world has be­ obvious reasons this method was al­ war, and who were still capable of come more closely acquainted with so adopted by other important Nazis thought, some pondered the reasons the name of SS Obersturmbann­ in carrying out their criminal plans. for the delaying of the end and of fUhrer Adolf Eichmann, "that sin­ In spite of this, however, there re­ death and destruction which that ister figure", as he was termed at mains a not inconsiderable body of delay spelt. They came to this con­ the time by the American Public written documents bearing Eich­ d1\sion: Prosecutor J ackson,-"upon whom mann's signature and touching upon "It is only right and just that the was laid the duty of destroying the this aspect of his work, which have Germans should prove obstinate Jews." After the names of the four survived. Needless to say, what has and carryon the war. Only thus principal German Nazi criminals, reached us is only a small part. We will they feel what it is like to leaders of the Third Reich-Hitler, know that Eichmann made a note be without a roof, to be expelled Himmler, Bormann and Goebbels­ of every official conversation he had and forced to wander, to fear. that of Eichmann was the one most with his superiors. Minutes were Only if they prove obstinate will frequently mentioned in the course taken of all official conferences and their cities be destroyed, their of that protracted trial. meetings dealing with all sorts of houses burnt and their factories It is interesting to cite the verdict details of the implementation of the ruined,-and thereby they will of that Tribunal, speaking of Eich­ plans for the destruction of eleven suffer a modicum of punishment." mann: The persecution of Jews million Jews, who, according to Na­ These Jews recalled the tale of perpetrated by the Nazis in Germany zi statistics, were at that time living Pharaoh of Egypt whose heart was before the War, however harsh and in Europe. hardened by God lest he submit to repressive, cannot possibly be com­ Eichmann insisted that his col­ the command, "Let my people go!" pared with the anti-Jewish policy leagues, dispersed over the entire It is a story that has always aroused adopted by the Germans in the ter­ Reich and the occupied territories, astonishment and doubt. After hard­ ritories they occupied during the Se­ submit precise reports on every ac­ ening Pharaoh's heart, could God cond World War. Here the Jews tion they undertook. We know, how­ punish him for that same hardness were compelled to live in separate ever, that prior to the defeat of the of heart? But at that time the Jews ghettos and to work beyond their Third Reich Eichmann took the appreciated the essential justice of strength. But that was not enough. trouble to destroy all the documents the tale: In the summer of 1941 plans be­ of his office and all proof of his Sometimes the only way whereby gan to be prepared for the final "so­ crimes. a little justice can be realized in the lution" of the Jewish problem in But he was not as successful as world, the only way whereby the Germany and in all occupied Eu­ he wished, and even if he succeeded world can be saved from being con­ rope. This final solution of the Jew­ in destroying the original docu­ verted into Sodom and Gomorrah ish problem (the official German ments, a large number of copies lies in that Pharaoh's heart conti­ term was "Endlosung der Juden­ and other written material of his nued to be hard and obstinate ... frage") meant: the physical exter­ office, sent to various other offices The tale of Pharoah of Egypt has mination of all the Jews, which Hit­ in the Reich, were not destroyed repeated itself. Without any pros­ ler had threatened as early as Jan­ at the close of the War. In this pect whatever, without the slightest 'uary 1939 in the event of the out­ respect the Eichmann documents to vestige of faith, without any hope, break of a world war. For this pur­ be found in the Archives of the Germany's blood was being shed. pose a special department of the German Ministry of Foreign Af­ "Indeed sometimes history deve­ Gestapo was established, under the fairs which were preserved-of lops in such a fashion that there leadership of Eichmann, who had to which a microfilm is kept in Yad is no other way to salvage a last implement that policy of extermina­ Washem-are particularly impor­ spark of honesty and justice in tion. tant. The question may be asked: the world, but by the criminals I t must be emphasized that this What connection was there bet­ themselves becoming the instru­ Jewish "department" of the Gesta­ ween the Foreign Ministry and a ments of their own punishment."* po, which was part of' the German department of the Gestapo, dealing "Reich's Security Head Office" with purely internal affairs? The * The above quotations are from a~ (RSHA), was declared a criminal Gestapo as a section of the Reich's article "In those days" printed in the organization in the verdict. Security Head Office came under Yiddischer Kemple?", New York, in Eichmann as the chief expert in Himmler, who in this respect be­ March 1947, and reprinted in my all matters pertaining to the Jews longed to the Ministry of Interior. book, "Wanderings on the Roads of Death," Yad Washem, Jerusalem, in the Third Reich, who evolved It has transpired however, that the 1960. the plans for the "Endlosung der Foreign Ministry had a large share

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