Η μάστιγα του ναζισμού

by Langley Russell, 2nd Baron Russell of Liverpool, Γεωργία Δημητροπούλου (Translator)

Αυτή η πλέον τεκμηριωμένη καταγραφή των γερμανικών εγκλημάτων κατά τη διάρκεια του Β΄ Παγκόσμιου Πολέμου, αποτελεί ένα τρομερό κατηγορητήριο κατά της ναζιστικής κτηνωδίας και των τερατωδών μηχανισμών καταστολής τους οποίους δημιούργησε το Γ΄ Ράιχ και τρομοκράτησαν όλες τις κατεχόμενες περιοχές της Ευρώπης. Ο ακριβής αριθμός των εκατομμυρίων θυμάτων που δολοφόνησαν αυτοί οι απάνθρωποι μηχανισμοί μάλλον δε θα γίνει ποτέ γνωστός από την επίσημη Ιστορία.

Αντλώντας στοιχεία από γερμανικά ντοκουμέντα και γράφοντας αναπαραστατικά με την άνεση ενός απολύτως ειδικού στενά συνδεμένου με τις ίδιες τις κατηγορούσες αρχές κατά των εγκληματιών πολέμου (μιας και ο συγγραφέας υπήρξε Βοηθός Γενικός Εισαγγελέας των βρετανικών δυνάμεων στη Γερμανία), ο Λόρδος Ράσελ του Λίβερπουλ εκθέτει την αλήθεια πίσω από τα πραγματικά ή τα φερόμενα ως τέτοια γεγονότα.

Με το ωμό και σε κάποιες περιπτώσεις ιδιαίτερα σκληρό κείμενο της "Μάστιγας του Ναζισμού" εξετάζει τα βασικά εργαλεία της τυραννίας και της καταπίεσης του χιτλερικού καθεστώτος -τα SS, την Γκεστάπο και τις ίδιες τις δυνάμεις της Βέρμαχτ. Αναλύει τα γερμανικό εγκλήματα σε βάρος των αιχμαλώτων πολέμου και σε καταπάτηση όλων των διεθνών συνθηκών. Προβάλλει τις γερμανικές ακρότητες του ναυτικού ακόμη και στα διεθνή ύδατα. Και περιγράφει συγκλονιστικά τα εγκλήματα σε Βάρος του άμαχου πληθυσμού, την καταναγκαστική εργασία που αναβίωσε τους αιώνες της σκληρότερης δουλείας, τα στρατόπεδα συγκέντρωσης και τη διαδικασία βιομηχανοποιημένου θανάτου που αποκαλούνταν η "Τελική Λύση" του Εβραϊκού Ζητήματος.

Το πιο πολυδιαβασμένο μεταπολεμικά βιβλίο σχετικά με τις γερμανικές φρικαλεότητες εκδίδεται τώρα μεταφρασμένο και στα ελληνικά, εμπλουτισμένο με ειδικό βιβλιογραφικό επίμετρο για τα εγκλήματα των δυνάμεων κατοχής στο ελληνικό έδαφος.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, War, Holocaust, Ebooks, Historical

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Edward Frederick Langley Russell, 2nd Baron Russell of Liverpool C.B.E., M.C. (10 April 1895-8 April 1981), known as Langley Russell, was a British soldier, lawyer and historian.

He was one of the chief legal advisers during war-crimes proceedings, for both the Nuremberg trials and the Tokyo tribunal, held following the end of the Second World War.

Reviews

[Kurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Scourge of the Swastika, Lord Russell of Liverpool provides a litany of war crimes committed by the Nazi regime. These crimes started out as an idea by Hitler in Mein Kampf, although Russell argues that Hitler is not the source of the war crimes. Lord Russell, a prosecutor in the Nazi war trials, begins his case by providing evidence of crimes committed against prisoners of war and civilians in occupied territories. He broadens his scope to include crimes against humanity such as the attempted extermination of an entire race. While Hitler might have been the mastermind, Lord Russell argues that the Nazi regime, particularly the SS, the SD, and the Gestapo allowed this reign of terror to create war crimes on a scale that history had rarely seen.

Scourge of the Swastika, in this edition, suffers from a lack of cited resources. Russell presents the crimes the Nazis committed but the source works of these crimes is often missing. In addition, especially in the earlier chapters that deal with prisoners of war, Lord Russell fails to give the war crimes of the Nazis scope by comparing it to both the type of crimes and the number of crimes committed by the Allied forces. In his introduction, Lord Russell states that Stalin killed more people than Hitler did. A comparison chapter giving an overview of who Stalin and Hitler killed and how both accomplished it would have given his account some context. Even though the book has some serious flaws, the book deserves its place in the historiography of war crimes. The book forces the reader to contemplate not only the crimes of the Nazis, but how civilization deals with war crimes in the present.

[Joe Borg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book is a truthful and accurate account of the atrocities carried out by the Germans during WWII. This is the result of eyewitnesses or war crimes proceedings.
It is to be remembered that although even in the so-called civilised world there had been similar acts of pillage, rapes and murder , the crimes committed by the Germans in the Second world war were systematic and organised with careful planning before and not just the outburst of the victor . These events have now been shadowed with similar atrocities at the Kmer Rouge Killing fields, Chinese decimation of Tibetans , the Central African genocides, ethnic cleansings in the Balkans .

[William Howle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I have read similar books, this makes you wonder how people could do these things. It appears that some of the killers escaped, such as Albert Kessering. Many others probably were never brought to trial. Growing up after WW II, I was not aware of these crimes until I was a young adult. I would suggest this would be good reading for young people today

[Μιχάλης Παπαχατζάκης · Rating 4 out of 5]

Αν και λείπουν από το κείμενο οι τρομερές θηριωδίες που έκαναν οι ναζί στην Ελλάδα και άλλες βαλκανικές χώρες (γίνονται μόνο αριθμητικές αναφορές στους έλληνες εβραίους που θανατώθηκαν στα στρατόπεδα συγκέντρωσης), αποτελεί το βιβλίο του νομικού Λόρδου Ράσσελ μια πολύ τεκμηριωμένη καταγραφή των εγκλημάτων που διαπράχθηκαν μέχρι το 1945. Δύσκολα διαβάζει κανείς την θλιβερή και μονότονη παρουσίαση αναρίθμητων εγκλημάτων, μικρής, μεγάλης και τεράστιας κλίμακας, αλλά πρέπει ο αναγνώστης να λάβει υπόψη ότι όλα όσα εξιστορεί ήταν συστηματικά και συνεχόμενα, παντού και διαρκώς. Η αφήγηση διαταράσσεται από ειδικές περιπτώσεις θηριωδίας που ακόμα κι ένα ψυχρό βλέμμα μπορεί να κλονιστεί.

Ο Λόρδος Ράσσελ αναπτύσσει όλων των ειδών τα εγκλήματα: από την μεταχείριση αιχμαλώτων και την συμπεριφορά ως προς τους ναυαγούς των τορπιλισμένων πλοίων μέχρι την συστηματική εξολόθρευση και τα αντίποινα. Δεν παραλείπει να τονίσει την ενεργή συμμετοχή του στρατού και όχι μόνο των Ες-Ες, όπως ήθελε η τάση στις δυτικές χώρες να προβάλλει μεταπολεμικά. Ξεχωρίζουν μάλιστα οι αναφορές στον στρατηγό Μανστάιν, τον οποίο οι αρθρογράφοι στρατιωτικής ιστορίας παρουσιάζουν σήμερα σαν «επαγγελματία στρατιωτικό» που δεν λέρωνε τα χέρια του (των αντρών του) με αίμα. Ο συγγραφέας δεν χαρίζεται σε κανέναν.

Γράφτηκε αξιοποιώντας αναρίθμητες πηγές (κυρίως από αρχεία δικών) και εκδόθηκε το 1954, όταν στηνόταν το κράτος της Δυτικής Γερμανίας και τα δικαστήρια εγκληματιών πολέμου αθώωναν μαζικά. Ίσως το βιβλίο του ήταν και μια απάντηση στον σχεδιασμό των αμερικάνων, με τον οποίον οι εγγλέζοι δεν ήταν εντελώς σύμφωνοι. Όπως και να 'χει πρόκειται για μια από τις πιο πλήρεις και τεκμηριωμένες αναφορές για το θέμα, χωρίς όμως να θίξει ιδιαίτερα την προέλευση της ναζιστικής ιδεολογίας. Δεν ήταν όμως αυτό το θέμα του.

[Wedma · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Geissel der Menschheit. Kurze Geschichte der Naziverbrechen“ von Lord Russel of Liverpool ist ein beeindruckendes, zutiefst erschütterndes Werk, das man gelesen haben sollte. Besonders zu empfehlen ist es all denjenigen, die heute mit Inbrunst der Überzeugung behaupten, all dies hätte nie stattgefunden.
„In seinem umfassenden Bericht über das finsterste Kapitel der deutschen Geschichte beschreibt Lord Russel of Liverpool die unfassbaren Gräuel der Naziverbrechen. Das Buch sollte zunächst verboten werden, wurde in der Folge aber zu einer vielbeachteten Publikation von internationaler Bedeutung“, so der Klappentext. Wenn man den Inhalt kennt, stimmt man dem voll und ganz zu. Man kann sich sehr gut vorstellen, warum dieses Buch bis heute von großer internationaler Bedeutung ist.

Es gibt 7 Kapitel: „Die Instrumente der Hitlertyrannei“, „Misshandlung und Ermordung von Kriegsgefangenen“, „Kriegsverbrechen auf Hoher See“, „Misshandlung und Ermordung der Zivilbevölkerung im besetzten Gebiet“, „Zwangsarbeit“, „Konzentrationslager: Auschwitz, Belsen, Buchenwald, Dachau, Neuengamme, Ravensbrück“, „Die ‚Endlösung der Judenfrage‘“.
Wie man den Überschriften entnehmen kann, ist der Stoff gut systematisiert worden. Jedes Kapitel hat seinen Schwerpunkt. Alle zusammen kommen sie zu einem umfassenden Bild des Grauens.
Lord Russel bedienst sich des sachlichen Tons. Es ist aber keineswegs trocken. Vielmehr ist es wie ein Gespräch mit einem alten Freund, der über dieses Thema sehr gut Bescheid weiß. Der Autor kommuniziert mit seinen Lesern: stellt Fragen und beantwortet auch diese, nennt dabei Fakten und Zahlen. Die Quellen findet man, nach Kapiteln unterteilt, am Ende des Buches.

In der zweiten Hälfte des Buches findet man Zeichnungen sowie einige s/w Fotos, die die geschilderten Gräuel verbildlichen.

Das Buch ist hochwertig gestaltet: Festeinband in Schwarz, Umschlagblatt aus festem Glanzpapier, angenehme Schriftgröße, gutes, weißes Papier.
Fazit: Gegen das Vergessen hilft dieses Buch garantiert. Sollte man unbedingt lesen.

[Charles Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book to read. However, you need to keep in mind when reading it that it was possibly not the best representation of historical fact even at the time, and certainly is not now. It seems to be largely based on evidence and testimony from the post-war war-crimes trials, and makes some fairly large errors of fact -- for instance the epilogue describes Dachau as a former gas-chamber extermination camp, which it was not. This book is a good document into the popular understanding of the levels of Nazi German war crimes at the time it was first published, and an expose of the lesser known war crimes that had been testified to during war crimes trials. This understanding was the basis for a lot of popular historical fiction, and this book is an interesting and useful read for that reason, even as it is not the most historically accurate document on the subject given all that is known and documented since.

[Jena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Es un libro que en este tiempo no dice nada nuevo. Ya no importa como estaban formadas la huestes de Adolf Hitler, ya sabemos los resultados: 6 millones de judíos muertos, y una multitud de soldados de todas las naciones que participaron que fueron sacrificados con el tiro de gracia, porque el Führer no quería lastres.

[Paul Sating · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and heart-breaking read. Well-narrated.

[Bookwyrm Speaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this chilling account of the Nazi attrocities and the subsequent war tribunal, Lord Russell gives an in depth look at the face of evil in all its horror. He describes the principal people involved, and their motivations. He shows how it started fairly modestly, but ended up killing over 10 million people for nothing more than being on some sick Nazi non approved scapegoat list. He then goes through what happened at the Nuremberg tribunal, and what happened to the men responsible for some of the worst atrocities in human history. This is a must read for anyone interested in WW2 history.

[Chris Mccleary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written in the 1950's this is still relevant today. It gives an overview of the thinking and social conditions behind the actions of some Germans during the second world war in a frank and honest way.

The book is well sourced and reveals a side of the second world war which is mostly glossed over.

[john d chontos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would have changed my view of the german populace if i had read this before being stationed in germany in 1958.

This should be required reading in all secondary schools as a testament to potential inhumanity of a socialistic regime. I know that will never happen in our liberal institutions, but one can always hope.

[Jeffrey Restel]

$2.99

[Pavlina Morhacova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ak poznáte popieračov holokaustu, túto knihu im mozete pokojne venovať ako výchovnú facku. Všetko dopodrobna, nahusto, ako zo stenografického záznamu.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A disturbing book - by design. Originally published in 1954 (and thus much closer to the actual events), it paints a very ugly picture of what went on in Nazi Germany in the years preceding WW II and during the war. A lot of what was written matches what I have read in other areas about the atrocities in the prison/concentration camps, as well as the treatment of civilians. There were hints (OK, more than hints) in William Shirer's "Berlin Diary" - but that did was written about the pre-war years and so does not describe the depths to which the Nazis plummeted in their attempts to create a pure race.

On the other hand, the depiction of unrestricted submarine warfare as a war crime is probably outdated (even at the time this book was written); the idea that a submarine would signal a surface vessel that it was about to be attacked so as to give them an opportunity to abandon ship in safety, as well as making sure that the entire crew/passenger complement could reach safety went out with WW I; in the few cases where U-boat captains attempted to help the survivors they were forced to abandon the effort because enemy (to the U-boat) warships were inbound and would have sunk them. Asking a Captain to commit suicide in the name of chivalry was outdated and no one with submarines did so.

The purpose of the book was to remind people that there are those who are, in fact, willing to commit atrocities in the hopes of convincing those who do not believe that is possible not to let it happen again.

[Steve Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like his work on Japanese atrocities titled “The Knights of Bushido”, this is a hard hitting and heartbreaking account of man’s inhumanity to man.

Russell chronicles 12 years of Nazi murder, torture, rape, and rapine of the citizens of Europe. It is not a complete account, of course. As would’ve been the case with “The Knights of Bushido”, he would’ve had to write a half dozen books of significant length to do that. But it is chilling, appalling, and absolutely powerful.

There are Holocaust deniers who would say that it never happened to the extent claimed. Russell provides the evidence, much of it comes from the Germans who committed the crimes themselves. They proudly recorded it. He also puts to death the lie that the German army-the Wehrmacht-was innocent of any wrongdoing in carrying out these crimes. The records of orders of the German general staff show differently.

I would say both of these books are indispensable reading for those that want to consider themselves well informed. However, be prepared to be horrified.

I consume the audiobook version of this work, which was performed by Simon Vance, who is an incredible voice actor and narrator.

[Medhat Ullah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Scourge of the Swastika is a chilling, methodical, and harrowing exposé of the atrocities committed under the Nazi regime during World War II. Written with legal precision by Lord Russell of Liverpool, a deputy judge advocate at the Nuremberg Trials, the book serves as both documentation and indictment—a brutal reminder of humanity’s capacity for calculated evil.Rather than relying on hearsay or propaganda, Russell anchors his account in court records, eyewitness testimonies, and official German documents, making it all the more undeniable and disturbing. The book methodically details the extermination camps, medical experiments, destruction of cultural heritage, and systemic mass murder—not only of Jews, but also Poles, Soviets, Roma, and others deemed “undesirable.”.Though the prose is restrained, the facts are overwhelming. Russell does not sensationalize. He simply shows us what happened—and that is more than enough. For readers today, The Scourge of the Swastika remains an essential document, a stark moral warning, and a necessary reckoningI picked this up after Gabor Maté recommended it and I’m glad I did

[Lord Zion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting to read an account of the Nazi atrocities so soon after the events, before decades of additional information skewed public opinion and outrage as the weight of the holocaust fell heavy on the whole of humanity.

Although the facts are the facts, the way they are reported in this book are factual and straightforward, void of emotion and hyperbole. There is no reductionist viewpoint at play and there is acknowledgement that it is the biggest crime in human history, yet it does not have the impact of books written decades later.

Having said that, I did enjoy it and found it a very compelling read. Even though the details were not fresh to me, the telling of them was and gave me a better understanding of the state of mind - and the state of public opinion - some 70 years ago.

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a Brutal Read!

Dont try this if you have a sensitive disposition. We are talking straight and shocking facts of all kinds from submarine warfare to taking of hostages to concentration camps to official policy of the Reich. Original material from the War Crimes trials is quoted at length as well as from other sources. Well organized and well written and a valuable historical overview of the many atrocities perpetrated by the Nazi regime. I did not realize how badly the French had been treated and how many were sent to do forced labor and to the camps. The description of the treatment of women at Ravensbruck is particularly telling. I also did not know that those in the slave labor camps were often sent to die in concentration camps when they were no longer "productive." A true tale of horror. The author did not hold back his disgust on occasion.

[Bruce Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Scourge of the Swastika: A Short History of Nazi War Crimes is a 1954, by Edward Russell, 2nd Baron Russell of Liverpool (2008, audiobook 8 hrs 43 min). This is exactly what the title describes: a litany of war crimes committed by Germans during WWII. Much of what is described is quite gruesome. While focused on Naziism, it is a cautionary tale, in that Germany was just one of many nations who committed widespread murder of its opponents in the 20th century. Others include Mao Zedong, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, Chiang Kai-Shek, Hirohito, Idi Amin, King Leopold II, and Benito Mussolini, just to name a few.

[Schvenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting view of the war, taking a look at the crimes of the Nazi regime not just through one or two microcosms of their atrocities, but every aspect of their approach towards world domination. Every aspect from the most important genocide, through to their treatment of enemy combatants, citizens of occupied and unoccupied nations and even their own people. This is a reasonably comprehensive view of all the entire regime and as such, would make a good primer for anyone not already well versed in the events of this regime.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is the kindle edition (I can't see any other). I read this book back in the late 70's.
This book and The Knights of Bushido were the first books I read with such brutal tales of horrific war crimes and since I was a young rookie they caused me to have some troubled dreams. I'm sure the power of the information inside has not diminished any. This is not Shakespear, though I do consider them to be important reads for those who know little of the crimes commited by the Japanese and Germans during world war 2. If you are of a sensitive nature you may want to give them a miss. On the other hand if you want truth instead of rumours then you may find them useful.

[Sabrina Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

To think that human beings are capable of inflicting these types of atrocities upon fellow men is inconceivable! I hold a degree in history, yet I am always horrified and appalled when I read about the holocaust. What Hitler and the Nazi's did is beyond the scope of a normal persons imagination. We need to continue to read these books to ensure that this never happens again. For one who stands by and does nothing, is just as guilty as those who commit the crimes!

[David Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is hard to rate a book like this. It is not light reading. As the sub-title promises, it catalogues Nazi war crimes. It is relatively balanced but towards the end I noticed the author described the characters in pejorative terms. I cant blame him. I guess that by this time he was feeling rather depressed as was I. It beggars belief that an advanced, cultured people such as the Germans could commit these acts.

[jeffrey quinzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rightfully unsettling but excellent .

Sobering. A lesson for all times....particularly today in the U.S. where divisiveness, intolerance and disregard for life - human, animal and the earth - is on the rise. We can think nothing like this can happen again but intolerance and hate fuel their own destructive evil. Tears for those who suffered so intensely. In their memory may we never forget.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a factual account of the atrocities carried out by the NAZI party including SS, SD, Gestapo and other parts of the German armed forces.
The book is set out in a logical order and each subject are is split into chapters making it easy to follow.
Some of the atrocities are well known others not so much.
It covers murder, torture and medical experiments of POWs and civilians alike, hard reading in parts but paints a bigger picture of what I’d already known went on.

[Glenn Franco Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on the legal system that culminated in The Holocaust. American policies and laws were sadly very influential on German legislators, lawyers and the judicial system. If you want to understand the legal framework that allowed antisemitism to poison the most-advanced, at the time, nation in the world, this book is a must read. I cannot think of another book that explains the legal basis for the anti-Jewish laws that plagued Germany and led to Nazi Germany.

[Buttsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening to read an account written so shortly after the war from the perspective of people heavily involved in the Nuremberg trials. There were a lot of things to learn about the general day to day life under German rule that I haven't seen in other books on the topic. Not for the faint of heart but would recommend as essential reading for anyone wanting to truly understand the depth of this tragedy and the extent to which it affected anyone that came into contact with the Reich.

[Dan A. Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scourge of the Swastika

Well written treatment of one of the most deplorable times in human history. The author candidly documents atrocities of Nazism and openly admits that it is unnecessary to write of every offense, as they are similar in nature. This is a depressing read and it is hard to believe that people could be so callous in their treatment of others. Not for the faint of heart.

[Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a disturbing account of an episode of recent history that we should all remember because of the atrocities that were perpetrated and that should never be repeated.
Unfortunately, throughout my reading I came across details of some actions that reflect some of the ideation and practice of the present US administration, MAGA protagonists and POTUS. Perhaps this will lead to another recent Scourge.

[Marcia Ditter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read many books on The Holocaust, I can't understand how humans could be so cruel and inhumane toward others. There was no excuse for the behavior of the Nazis. All of the innocent lives lost. Babies, children, teens never being able to grow up and have lives. Adults being worked to death or just outright killed. The ways prisoners of war were treated, many killed.