96 Year Old Former Nazi Arrested - Necessary?

[Della]

If she is such a monster as some here claim why did it take 77 years to capture this typist? Don't forget how many German citizens knew exactly what was going on. There is nothing to be gained by prosecuting after nearly eight decades. "We were only following orders" and under Nazi rule if you dared sway from them you were killed.

I agree that she was probably afraid for her own life when she was doing that typing at age 18 and I don't want to see her in prison, but I think it's important for the victims and their families to go through the motions of a trial and then probably send her home under house arrest to finish her life. It might bring her and others a sort of peace.

 

[Alligatorob]

she was probably afraid for her own life

That may have been true, but in fact the Nazi's were not so likely to execute people who defied these orders as is generally believed. Of course she and many other Germans probably did not know it at the time.

See: "THOSE WHO DEFIED ORDERS TO KILL JEWS DID NOT DIE, RESEARCHER SAYS AT BYU."
https://www.deseret.com/1995/3/9/19...-kill-jews-did-not-die-researcher-says-at-byu

 

[Shero]

In my long ago youth, I had a job as a stenographer, taking things down in shorthand and transcribing them. I sure as hell knew precisely what they meant.

BTW, from what I've read, I do not believe that just any random person was assigned to any job for the commandant of a prison camp -- only people who were steadfast supporters and could be counted on to be loyal to the cause. As to her tender age, some of the cruelest women guards were of similar age. I'm not saying this was true of her, but age didn't seem to make much difference. Many of the most rabid Nazis were people who had come up through the Hitler Youth groups.

Yes, I share the same view Butterfly. I was speaking to a friend today about this same thing and we agree that only the "trusted" nazi supporters were given these jobs and also given gifts, lots of freedom, homes etc.

 

[Shero]

That may have been true, but in fact the Nazi's were not so likely to execute people who defied these orders as is generally believed. Of course she and many other Germans probably did not know it at the time.

See: "THOSE WHO DEFIED ORDERS TO KILL JEWS DID NOT DIE, RESEARCHER SAYS AT BYU."
https://www.deseret.com/1995/3/9/19...-kill-jews-did-not-die-researcher-says-at-byu

I am sorry, I find that hard to believe!

 

[Gary O']

she was probably afraid for her own life

I'll just chip in here what a German boss told me.
(He was also a very good friend)
He was 10 during the Nazi reign
Said everyone, all Germans, were afraid for their lives

OK, back to postulation

 

[garyt1957]

I'll just chip in here what a German boss told me.
(He was also a very good friend)
He was 10 during the Nazi reign
Said everyone, all Germans, were afraid for their lives

OK, back to postulation

Well really, what was he going to say "Oh yes, we were all in favor of murdering a million Jews"? I mean, c'mon.

 

[Gary O']

Well really, what was he going to say "Oh yes, we were all in favor of murdering a million Jews"? I mean, c'mon.

He was a rare, forthright individual
Told things as they were, good or bad

Thought I'd share

 

[Butterfly]

Well really, what was he going to say "Oh yes, we were all in favor of murdering a million Jews"? I mean, c'mon.

More like 6 million Jews and another several million gypsies, gay folks, Jehovah's Witnesses. Poles, political dissidents, disabled people, and anybody else they didn't like.