Language:
English
Year of publication:
1998
Titel der Quelle:
Yad Vashem Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
26 (1998) 265-293
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Sources
;
World War, 1939-1945 Photography
;
National socialism Philosophy
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
Abstract:
Examines photographs of Jews taken by German soldiers and policemen during their service in Eastern Europe in 1939-43. These photos allow one to look into the internal world of the perpetrators. They show how Nazi antisemitic doctrine and imagery which was disseminated through propaganda in 1933-39 was adopted by ordinary Germans. The photographers portrayed images of "typical Jews" who resembled those in the propaganda. The very fact that many photos contain scenes of abuse and mass murder of Jews indicates that these actions were regarded as normative. The photos also show how, often, violent actions were perpetrated by servicemen other than SS-men. Excerpts from private letters sent from Eastern Europe also show how much their authors were indoctrinated in their aversion to Jews: the voice of the letters is that of "Der Stürmer", and many of them speak bluntly about mass annihilation as the only "possibility" for the Jews. Concludes that antisemitic indoctrination played a crucial role in the Nazi murderers' behavior. Includes photographs, with comments.
Note:
See also in Hebrew.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
