Long before Germany became a nation, from before the dark ages, she had
a more peaceful, less aggressive history than her European neighbors and
was the principal participant in less than a quarter of the wars of England,
Spain, Russia, or France. By 1914, the new German nation had enjoyed 43
years of peace and prosperity while other nations were embroiled in various
global conflicts. The efficient German Empire was well-respected around
the world, having achieved astonishing technical advances: one third of all
Nobel Prizes were going to German researchers and inventors. She had a
superb educational system and rapidly growing industries. She was the most
powerful industrial nation in the world after America. She had surpassed
Britain's economic growth rate and she also had the most efficient army in
the world, the second largest navy and a fledgling Army Air Service.
a more peaceful, less aggressive history than her European neighbors and
was the principal participant in less than a quarter of the wars of England,
Spain, Russia, or France. By 1914, the new German nation had enjoyed 43
years of peace and prosperity while other nations were embroiled in various
global conflicts. The efficient German Empire was well-respected around
the world, having achieved astonishing technical advances: one third of all
Nobel Prizes were going to German researchers and inventors. She had a
superb educational system and rapidly growing industries. She was the most
powerful industrial nation in the world after America. She had surpassed
Britain's economic growth rate and she also had the most efficient army in
the world, the second largest navy and a fledgling Army Air Service.
To understand World War Two, it is imperative to understand World War One, for the second
conflict was a tragic and inevitable continuation of the first. In fact, it would be a good idea to read
"Anti-German Hysteria of World War One", available from a link on the 'miscellany' page of this site
before going any further. One must look beyond the propaganda, the Hollywood images and comic
book presentations of either war to begin to comprehend how and why the utter ruination of this
ancient land with its historically profound influence on European culture occurred, and how a rich,
powerful nation which enjoyed a positive, even glowing image at the dawn of the twentieth century
would be cut off at the knees and relegated to a stature of relative unimportance today.
conflict was a tragic and inevitable continuation of the first. In fact, it would be a good idea to read
"Anti-German Hysteria of World War One", available from a link on the 'miscellany' page of this site
before going any further. One must look beyond the propaganda, the Hollywood images and comic
book presentations of either war to begin to comprehend how and why the utter ruination of this
ancient land with its historically profound influence on European culture occurred, and how a rich,
powerful nation which enjoyed a positive, even glowing image at the dawn of the twentieth century
would be cut off at the knees and relegated to a stature of relative unimportance today.
By the end of World War Two, the destruction of Germany was nearly complete. Germany not only
lost the War, it lost a massive portion of its physical history, its cultural centers and its intellectual
elite. Millions of her people were lost, both during and after the war: five times as many Germans,
both civilians and soldiers, died in the first year after war than died during the course of the entire
war, and they lost their lives directly at the hands of others as a result of revenge policies: rape,
expulsion, murder, forced "atonement" marches, freezing, slave labor and starvation; Millions more
were left with lasting physical damage from the shocking post war brutality visited upon them.
lost the War, it lost a massive portion of its physical history, its cultural centers and its intellectual
elite. Millions of her people were lost, both during and after the war: five times as many Germans,
both civilians and soldiers, died in the first year after war than died during the course of the entire
war, and they lost their lives directly at the hands of others as a result of revenge policies: rape,
expulsion, murder, forced "atonement" marches, freezing, slave labor and starvation; Millions more
were left with lasting physical damage from the shocking post war brutality visited upon them.
This all changed almost overnight. The violent anti-German assault was initiated by propagandists
representing special interests in Great Britain a decade before World War One even broke out, and
then regurgitated to embroil the USA into that conflict. It changed the image of Germany forever. A
pariah was formed in the shape of the loathsome Hun and the zealous efforts to reinforce that image
in words, music and art continued long after the war was over, branding Germany and her people
absolutely repugnant in almost every corner of the world. Probably no other ethnic group has ever
been so quickly, so professionally and so intensely assaulted or so thoroughly dehumanized.
representing special interests in Great Britain a decade before World War One even broke out, and
then regurgitated to embroil the USA into that conflict. It changed the image of Germany forever. A
pariah was formed in the shape of the loathsome Hun and the zealous efforts to reinforce that image
in words, music and art continued long after the war was over, branding Germany and her people
absolutely repugnant in almost every corner of the world. Probably no other ethnic group has ever
been so quickly, so professionally and so intensely assaulted or so thoroughly dehumanized.
Germany lost 74.5% loss of her natural resources, about 13% of her land and had to forsake seven
million of her people, including three million Germans in the Sudetenland. The Austrian portion of
the Dual Monarchy was deprived of 3/4 of her former area and 3/4 of her people, dooming her to
become an insignificant, land-locked state. In their place, the victors at Versailles created a flock of
tiny, budding, nationalistic states in a chaotic manner which guarantee future strife in Europe.
million of her people, including three million Germans in the Sudetenland. The Austrian portion of
the Dual Monarchy was deprived of 3/4 of her former area and 3/4 of her people, dooming her to
become an insignificant, land-locked state. In their place, the victors at Versailles created a flock of
tiny, budding, nationalistic states in a chaotic manner which guarantee future strife in Europe.
The Allied foreign policy crusade was for victory at any cost, even at the cost of the destruction of
traditional values and culture and, if need be, the destruction of the planet itself. Yet, it is becoming
increasingly more difficult to question the necessity and wisdom of that conflict. Indeed, the event we
call World War Two is fast becoming off limits to further debate, closer scrutiny, re-evaluation and
revision. Those stimulating intellectual activities which, although occasionally uncomfortable and
inconvenient, have traditionally taken place after every other conflict in human history in an effort to
search for truth and accurately define human events for posterity, have been narrowed in scope in a
good part of the world by legislation which restricts free speech by limiting which aspects of that
event we can freely speak of and which aspects are criminal to discuss, question or investigate
further, surely not a trend indicative of the cherished "democratic values" the victors intended.
traditional values and culture and, if need be, the destruction of the planet itself. Yet, it is becoming
increasingly more difficult to question the necessity and wisdom of that conflict. Indeed, the event we
call World War Two is fast becoming off limits to further debate, closer scrutiny, re-evaluation and
revision. Those stimulating intellectual activities which, although occasionally uncomfortable and
inconvenient, have traditionally taken place after every other conflict in human history in an effort to
search for truth and accurately define human events for posterity, have been narrowed in scope in a
good part of the world by legislation which restricts free speech by limiting which aspects of that
event we can freely speak of and which aspects are criminal to discuss, question or investigate
further, surely not a trend indicative of the cherished "democratic values" the victors intended.
| The Physical and Cultural Destruction of Germany: Introduction |
If the present birthrate in Germany continues, their population will have declined by over half, the
lowest birth rate in Europe, as it has been for some time. It is exceptionally low in former East
Germany, where the city of Chemnitz is thought to have the lowest birth rate in the world. Austria
also has one of the lowest birthrates in the world today.
lowest birth rate in Europe, as it has been for some time. It is exceptionally low in former East
Germany, where the city of Chemnitz is thought to have the lowest birth rate in the world. Austria
also has one of the lowest birthrates in the world today.
| "However the world pretends to divide itself, there are only two divisions in the world today.. human beings and Germans" Rudyard Kipling June 22, 1915 |
It was amid millions of dazed, homeless people and upon the ruins of hundreds of medieval cities,
murdered German prisoners of war, raped German women, starving German children and wandering
orphans that the victors performed the coup de grâce: Following unconditional capitulation, Germany
was immediately partitioned into four isolated occupation zones, further intensifying its incapacitation
and redying it for a controversial, methodically developed, sharply focused and skillfully applied
program of psychological assault labelled "re-education". This brain washing program was geared to
ensure the rejection of everything that had thus far constituted the national German character and
German behavioral patterns that maintain any sort of national identity as well as any pride in German
cultural, spiritual and intellectual heritage. This intense campaign structured a "new Germany" to
have purely "American values" and it only allowed to Germany a history which began in 1945 with
her defeat, relegating all which had come before as unworthy of remembrance.
murdered German prisoners of war, raped German women, starving German children and wandering
orphans that the victors performed the coup de grâce: Following unconditional capitulation, Germany
was immediately partitioned into four isolated occupation zones, further intensifying its incapacitation
and redying it for a controversial, methodically developed, sharply focused and skillfully applied
program of psychological assault labelled "re-education". This brain washing program was geared to
ensure the rejection of everything that had thus far constituted the national German character and
German behavioral patterns that maintain any sort of national identity as well as any pride in German
cultural, spiritual and intellectual heritage. This intense campaign structured a "new Germany" to
have purely "American values" and it only allowed to Germany a history which began in 1945 with
her defeat, relegating all which had come before as unworthy of remembrance.
World War One, the cultural equivalent of the Black Death to Germany, killed the seed of a whole
generation. The vindictive Treaty of Versailles burdened Germany with reparations she could never
repay without exposing her own people to even more suffering and death. The spitefulness, greedy
motives and shortsightedness of the "peace" terms would have terrible effects in the near future. In
their quest to weaken German and Austrian power for their own monetary gain, the victors directly
and indirectly abetted the virulent rise of communism which would sweep in and try to take the place
of the four world Empires which had been destroyed in the aftermath of this needless conflict.
generation. The vindictive Treaty of Versailles burdened Germany with reparations she could never
repay without exposing her own people to even more suffering and death. The spitefulness, greedy
motives and shortsightedness of the "peace" terms would have terrible effects in the near future. In
their quest to weaken German and Austrian power for their own monetary gain, the victors directly
and indirectly abetted the virulent rise of communism which would sweep in and try to take the place
of the four world Empires which had been destroyed in the aftermath of this needless conflict.
2,000,000 German soldiers were killed in the First World War. 100,000 others were missing and
presumed dead and 4,814,557 had been wounded, amounting to 9 to 14 percent of Germany's
pre-war population. 85% of eligible German males had been mobilized at one point or another. In the
conflict, millions of others died due to starvation from the venomous hunger blockade and further
food shortages, or from influenza and other epidemics. The war changed German society forever.
presumed dead and 4,814,557 had been wounded, amounting to 9 to 14 percent of Germany's
pre-war population. 85% of eligible German males had been mobilized at one point or another. In the
conflict, millions of others died due to starvation from the venomous hunger blockade and further
food shortages, or from influenza and other epidemics. The war changed German society forever.
One-armed, one-legged or one-eyed men, blind men, men with noses torn
off or mouths ripped up or only half a face stood begging for food and
carrying signs proclaiming "The War Cripples are Starving!". They came
home with indelible mental scars as well, some suffering from shell shock
or the insidious battle fatigue called "the shivers". Many lost homes as a
result of the German land theft at Versailles, others lost their families.
While Germany was in a state of ruin, communist, anarchist and socialist
agitators took advantage of the chaos. The veterans received little respect
and gratitude for their sacrifices, and their suffering went uncomforted.
off or mouths ripped up or only half a face stood begging for food and
carrying signs proclaiming "The War Cripples are Starving!". They came
home with indelible mental scars as well, some suffering from shell shock
or the insidious battle fatigue called "the shivers". Many lost homes as a
result of the German land theft at Versailles, others lost their families.
While Germany was in a state of ruin, communist, anarchist and socialist
agitators took advantage of the chaos. The veterans received little respect
and gratitude for their sacrifices, and their suffering went uncomforted.
| Round Two |
The First World War left a legacy not only of bitterness, but of unresolved issues and unfinished
business. For Germany, there was simmering resentment at the humiliation imposed upon her and for
that which had been unfairly taken from her. Beyond all this, there was overwhelming injustice in the
fact that she had been held solely responsible for the entire conflict and was therefore made to suffer
twice: from the toll of war itself and, while she was writhing in agony, from the vengefulness and
avarice of the victors who had been just as responsible, if not more so, for the war as Germany was.
business. For Germany, there was simmering resentment at the humiliation imposed upon her and for
that which had been unfairly taken from her. Beyond all this, there was overwhelming injustice in the
fact that she had been held solely responsible for the entire conflict and was therefore made to suffer
twice: from the toll of war itself and, while she was writhing in agony, from the vengefulness and
avarice of the victors who had been just as responsible, if not more so, for the war as Germany was.
The following pages do not pretend to present the rights or wrongs of events of World War Two.
They are neither a vindication nor a condemnation of any side of the conflict, nor are they intended
as a political statement. They serve only to illustrate the ravages of war as they applied to Germany
and to speak to the suffering of the German people, subjects which both tend to evoke hostility,
especially when they are presented without the customary prefaces which serve to justify, rationalize,
excuse and condone atrocities and crimes carried out against Germany and the German people.
They are neither a vindication nor a condemnation of any side of the conflict, nor are they intended
as a political statement. They serve only to illustrate the ravages of war as they applied to Germany
and to speak to the suffering of the German people, subjects which both tend to evoke hostility,
especially when they are presented without the customary prefaces which serve to justify, rationalize,
excuse and condone atrocities and crimes carried out against Germany and the German people.
| Truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long... Shakespeare; Merchant of Venice |
This program, which was so psychologically ruthless that it did not
allow people to grieve their own losses, was so successful that even
sixty some years later, words such as "Heimat", "Vaterland" or "Volk"
remain "dirty words" to the modern German who has been convinced
that Germany was "liberated" by having millions of its civilian
non-combatants intentionally murdered by Allied bombing.
allow people to grieve their own losses, was so successful that even
sixty some years later, words such as "Heimat", "Vaterland" or "Volk"
remain "dirty words" to the modern German who has been convinced
that Germany was "liberated" by having millions of its civilian
non-combatants intentionally murdered by Allied bombing.
They remained convinced that Germany was "liberated" by the murder of millions of surrendered
German prisoners of war through intentional starvation and exposure, and the murder of millions of
refugees as they attempted to flee violent, rampaging, communist hordes who stole their homes.
They have been convinced that Germany was "liberated" by the loss of a third of her ancestral
territory and her Eastern provinces, and by the brazen theft of her private and public property, art
treasures, historical monuments, cultural institutions and patents. They have been so deeply shamed
that they have allowed collective guilt to be bestowed upon them...and their children and their
childrens' children, accepting their nation's future as one spent in a hair shirt of perpetual atonement.
German prisoners of war through intentional starvation and exposure, and the murder of millions of
refugees as they attempted to flee violent, rampaging, communist hordes who stole their homes.
They have been convinced that Germany was "liberated" by the loss of a third of her ancestral
territory and her Eastern provinces, and by the brazen theft of her private and public property, art
treasures, historical monuments, cultural institutions and patents. They have been so deeply shamed
that they have allowed collective guilt to be bestowed upon them...and their children and their
childrens' children, accepting their nation's future as one spent in a hair shirt of perpetual atonement.