Prof. Overy: "Goodbye To The 'Nazi's'" ?

A

As you say, interesting article, but I would like to record that I personally have no problems regarding apostrophes when I write about Nazi Germany. I don't use them because I consider them completely unnecessary.

In 1932 the Nazis had 12 seats in the Reichstag but by 1933 this had risen to 230 and they then became the largest party.

In January 1933 Hitler had become Chancellor and Article 48 made him absolute ruler.

When I write about Nazi Germany I refer unequivocally to the period 1933 to 1945 and most people know exactly what I am talking about.,

Ron

ps
Writing these dates reminds me of the glorious fact that Hitler, who spoke of the 3rd Reich lasting a thousand years, lived to see it disintegrate after a mere twelve !

 

A

It appeared to so many of us living at that time that the Nazi party control of German thought and German culture was universally accepted by the German population. Consequently the evils committed by Nazi Germany were carried out in their name.

I fought to defend my country from being invaded by these evil German ideologies and to liberate Europe from Germany tyranny.

Joe Brown.

 

I agree with Overy :Nazi generals,nazi soldiers,nazi tanks,nazi aircraft :this always has been ridiculous,now,it is more than ridiculous .

 

There were many supporters of Hitler's Germany in the UK, some of them among the "gentry". I wonder if they called themselves Nazis at the time? And if they were aware of the extremes of wickedness their theories would lead to?

 

Never had a problem with Nazi,Nazism,Nazi's etc.

Regarding the use of "Nazi" there was a thread a few weeks ago discussing this, to no real depth..... Nazi or German.

I remember the extensive use of the noun and the adjective derivatives of Nazi,sometimes Nazi Germany as used in the media and by politicians during the war.I remember WSC's quaint way of pronouncing Nazi...."Naazi". From what I remember and this is supported by reference to official reports communication via diplomatic channel proxies,the Third Reich,the Nazi Government was always referred to as "the German Government"

Taking an interest in the DT's reporting of the war in present copies as "Britain at War".invariably the German military machine and those underpinning it,its citizens as described as Nazi or Nazis.Today's edition is headed "Russia ready for Offensive in a few days" with subtitles "Nazi to strike at Moscow" and "930 Nazi Planes Hit"

The British in the early days tried to separate the ordinary German from the The Third Reich with propaganda by leaflet raids...not much impression on the German population is recorded in history.Then from the ranting of Geobbels in October 1943,the die was cast and Germany would fight on to ultimate victory.If there was any dissent,it was difficult for the Allies to judge,as it was, after The Venlo incident,any anti Nazi resistance was left without encouragement and succour.

I think we have to appreciate the depth of penetration of Nazi ideology into every aspect of German life and to a great extent,acceptance of the ideologies by its citizens during the period of 1933-1945 when the whim of Hitler's Enabling Act turned Germany into a totalitarian state.Not forgetting the British citizens of influence who were admirers of the Third Reich,the Daily Mail proprietor being a leading sycophant....were these people admirers of Nazi ideology or the German Government's foreign and domestic policies?.Recorded in history is the welcome and hand of friendship extended to the representatives of the Third Reich visiting Britain.You don't have to dig far to ascertain the types who would have been the Vichyites

Here is the report of a visit to Torbay of the Kreigsmarine in 1937.
http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/PETER-FOREMAN-Large-banquet-honoured-Nazis/story-18868841-detail/story.html#axzz2SdavR5u3


As regards Nazis,how do we differentiate from Norwegian Nazis,Danish Nazis,Dutch Nazis,French Nazis (Vichy by any other name) and those Nazi cliques in the Balkans.

Seen a large number of memorials in France...some refer excesses carried out by Allemands...however many refer the to "Nazi".

Finally remember the slogan of the wartime years when Nazis and Germans were intensely hated....maybe it was the propaganda and there were many who knew the consequences of being overrun by the Third Reich....."A good German is dead German" it did not differentiate a Nazi from a member of the German race.

Overall,Overy is from another generation....some might look at his comment as revisionary.

 

I have been reading some Soviet articles which refer to the "Hitlerite" armies. Granted they were from the 60s and 70s, still can't help feeling that they are somewhat off base in their description.

 

I am pleased that this discussion has been resurrected,I always deliberately attempt to post logically and as accurate as possible.However after this comment I looked deeper into the subject and found that despite what Overy states,I found four references to Heinrich Muller being a member of the NSDSP,ie the Nazi party.It's incredible for a trained historian to think that a person who held such a high postion in the Third Reich security terror machine would not be a member of the Nazi Party.(Overy had stated that Muller was not a member of the Nazi Party and there was no pressure placed on indivuals to join.and my post #8 was a response to his submission)

As I see it ,Muller joined the SS in April 1934....SS No 107043.However he did not join the Nazi Party until 1939....Party No 533199

As regards Russia,you will find that the Russians refer to the Great Patriotic War but do not use the reference Nazi,There is a clear reason for this and that is the composition of the NSDAP...the National Socialist German Workers Party.The Russians deliberately avoid the term Nazi because it would include Socialist which would be counter to their definition of Socialist......hence the common reference to the Fascist(s) when referring to the Germany regime,the Third Reich and those who served it.