Language:
English
Year of publication:
1995
Titel der Quelle:
Journal of Contemporary History
Angaben zur Quelle:
30,3 (1995) 431-464
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Historiography
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Rescue
Abstract:
Examining the historiography on the Nazi attempt to deport the Danish Jews and their rescue by the Danish resistance, finds most versions too "romantic". Suggests that the entire operation was planned by top Nazi leaders, including Himmler; the Nazis, through Best and Duckwitz, provoked the Danish resistance to deport all the Danish Jews to Sweden, which was accomplished more thoroughly than the Nazis could have done it. The small size of the Danish Jewish community and the relatively mild Nazi regime in the country contributed greatly to the success of the operation, as well as the Nazis' policy to limit the Final Solution in Denmark to expulsion of the Jews to Sweden rather than to annihilate them. Contends that the Danish people cannot be considered as uniquely righteous; in fact, their behavior was not different from that of the Dutch and the Poles. Pp. 465-479 contain Hans Kirchhoff's "Denmark: A Light in the Darkness of the Holocaust? A Reply to Gunnar S. Paulsson", where he criticizes Paulsson's viewpoint and states that it was Best who thwarted the imminent deportation of the Danish Jews which was being planned in Berlin; he also emphasizes the heroism of the Danes who participated in the spontaneous and dangerous rescue operation.
Description / Table of Contents:
Kirchhoff, Hans. Denmark; a light in the darkness of the Holocaust? A reply to Gunnar S. Paulsson. Ibid. 465-479.
Note:
The article by Paulsson and the reply by Kirchhoff appeared also in "Holocaust; Critical Concepts in Historical Studies" V (2004).
URL:
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