'I reasoned with myself that after all without its mother the child could not live any longer. It was supposed to be, so to speak, soothing to my cons'I reasoned with myself that after all without its mother the child could not live any longer. It was supposed to be, so to speak, soothing to my conscience to release children unable to live.'
They went through their formative period in a pre-Nazi era, came from Hamburg one of the least Nazified cities in Germany, they belonged to social class that had been anti-Nazi, just how could these non-conforming end up killing innocent women, childern and men with little compulasion?
The answer lies with the ideology of the German volk, which faced a constant struggle for survival ordained by nature, according to whose laws “all weak and inferior are destroyed” and “only the strong and powerful continue to propagate.” To win this struggle, the Volk needed to do two things: conquer living space to provide for further population growth and preserve the purity of the German race over all other types of ideologies propgating equality of mankind like Christianity, Liberlaism and Marxism.Jews were deemed responsbile for Liberalism and Marxism.
The vast majority of unit 101 choose to conform y breaking ranks, nonshooters were leaving the “dirty work” to their comrades. Since the battalion had to shoot even if individuals did not, refusing to shoot constituted refusing one’s share of an unpleasant collective obligation. It was in effect an asocial act vis-à-vis one’s comrades. Those who did not shoot risked isolation, rejection, and ostracism—a very uncomfortable prospect within the framework of a tight-knit unit stationed abroad among a hostile population, so that the individual had virtually nowhere else to turn for support and social contact.
Much more work needs to be undertaken not to repeat such bevauoirs in future culture, all the dangerous signs have to be listed and graded with clear red lines so that all future ideologies can be vetted for any repeat of murder of such scale. ...more
A fascinating range of interviews of the German army facing the Allied onslaught on D-Day, June 6th 1944. German troops were highly motivated to defenA fascinating range of interviews of the German army facing the Allied onslaught on D-Day, June 6th 1944. German troops were highly motivated to defend France, and defend a united Europe against the various international forces. This German propaganda was highly effective in mobilising a very determined German defence force. These German troops were also highly surprised by the determination and aggression of the Allied forces, which was strange as they themselves were occupying Western nations but I guess the Nazi propaganda had effectively managed to absolve them of any guilt. In the end, the battle was decided by the overwhelming superiority of the weapons and resources employed by the Allied forces compared to the meagre German forces deployed at the first line of defence. But the most striking feature of the interviews was the importance of luck in the life of soldiers in combat. The bullet or piece of shrapnel has no associations and no friends, which invokes a great amount of stress among the foot soldiers on both sides, whether German or Allied thus proving to the common enemy for both........more
The book gives guidance and practical steps in how to pick up a new language. I have always struggled with new language, so let’s see if the memory tiThe book gives guidance and practical steps in how to pick up a new language. I have always struggled with new language, so let’s see if the memory tips given in this book help me conquer my latest German language quest....more
Paul's method gets you talking German in a few days, which gives you a lot of confidence. The only issue is that I bought an Audible version which makPaul's method gets you talking German in a few days, which gives you a lot of confidence. The only issue is that I bought an Audible version which makes it slightly challenging to learn the German spellings, so I guess the best way is to listen to the book along with a printed copy. ...more