Hermann Göring's Nuremberg Testimony

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SUMMARY

Hermann Göring's testimony at the Nuremberg Trials revealed critical insights into Nazi policies regarding the vandalism of Jewish shops, particularly the destruction of glass, which would require six months of Belgian glass production to replace. Göring indicated that the Nazis prohibited insurance payments to Jews, instead mandating that all payments be directed to the German government. He denied any involvement in the Reichstag fire, asserting his innocence while acknowledging his role in other wartime atrocities. Additionally, Göring's historical narrative includes his early life in Sweden and his later mismanagement of the Luftwaffe during World War II.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Nuremberg Trials and their historical context
  • Knowledge of Nazi Germany's economic policies regarding Jewish property
  • Familiarity with the significance of the Reichstag fire in German history
  • Awareness of Göring's role in World War I and II
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the economic impact of the Kristallnacht on Jewish businesses in Germany
  • Study the legal implications of insurance policies during the Nazi regime
  • Examine the historical significance of the Reichstag fire and its aftermath
  • Explore Göring's military strategies and failures as head of the Luftwaffe
USEFUL FOR

Historians, students of World War II, individuals interested in Nazi policies, and anyone studying the legal and economic ramifications of wartime actions.

Hornbein
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I read Hermann Göring's testimony at his trial in Nuremberg. On the night that the Jewish shops were vandalized and ransacked, so much glass was broken that replacing it would consume the entire Belgian glass output for six months. Germany had no glass industry so there was concern about replacements. The Nazis forbade having the Jews paid any insurance money, but foreign money was needed to replace the glass. Göring figured that the cost was so great that the German companies would not have enough funds so they must resort to the re-insurance they held for widespread catastrophes. The re-insurance was from foreign companies so foreigners would pay for the damage. This had to be in foreign currency as the replacement glass had to be of foreign origin and other countries didn't want Reichsmarks.

It was suggested that the money be paid to the Jews and then surreptitiously expropriated but Göring instead passed a law that all insurance payments must go to the German government.

Wiretaps were strictly regulated. Göring had to personally approve all wiretaps.

Göring denied any party involvement in the Reichstag fire and declared that "I almost perished in the flames." At the time Göring was president of the Reichstag. He was residing in the palace of the Reichstag president, which is across the street from the Reichstag itself. There was a big tunnel between the two structures for transporting coke for heating, so the fire menaced his residence. Since Göring freely confessed to worse things than this arson I am quite inclined to believe him. He makes no futile attempt to wiggle out of any of the charges, involvement in the Reichstag fire is the only act denied. It appears that his aim is to set the historical record straight.
 
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Hornbein said:
I read Hermann Göring's testimony at his trial in Nuremberg. On the night that the Jewish shops were vandalized and ransacked, so much glass was broken that replacing it would consume the entire Belgian glass output for six months. Germany had no glass industry so there was concern about replacements. The Nazis forbade having the Jews paid any insurance money, but foreign money was needed to replace the glass. Göring figured that the cost was so great that the German companies would not have enough funds so they must resort to the re-insurance they held for widespread catastrophes. The re-insurance was from foreign companies so foreigners would pay for the damage. This had to be in foreign currency as the replacement glass had to be of foreign origin and other countries didn't want Reichsmarks.

It was suggested that the money be paid to the Jews and then surreptitiously expropriated but Göring instead passed a law that all insurance payments must go to the German government.

Wiretaps were strictly regulated. Göring had to personally approve all wiretaps.

Göring denied any party involvement in the Reichstag fire and declared that "I almost perished in the flames." At the time Göring was president of the Reichstag. He was residing in the palace of the Reichstag president, which is across the street from the Reichstag itself. There was a big tunnel between the two structures for transporting coke for heating, so the fire menaced his residence. Since Göring freely confessed to worse things than this arson I am quite inclined to believe him. He makes no futile attempt to wiggle out of any of the charges, involvement in the Reichstag fire is the only act denied. It appears that his aim is to set the historical record straight.
Difficult to believe Fat Hermann flew fighters during WWI alongside Manfred 'Red Baron' von Richthofen. I would not credit any public statement from Göring although he did unwittingly assist Allied war effort by incompetently mismanaging WWII Luftwaffe.
 
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Thread is in Moderation for review by the Mentors...
 
A partisan political comment has been deleted from the thread, and it is reopened provisionally. Please keep partisan political statements at that "other website". :wink:
 
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Klystron said:
Difficult to believe Fat Hermann flew fighters during WWI alongside Manfred 'Red Baron' von Richthofen
Difficult to believe you think he was fat during WW1. I don't think you thought that one through.
1765758013528.webp
 
Yeah he was quite a womanizer in his youth.

Later he became a fat morphine addict prone to dressing in Wagner costumes. And then he took his own life before he could witness before the tribunal didn't he?

Anyway, you can't have all.
 
Klystron said:
..although he did unwittingly assist Allied war effort by incompetently mismanaging WWII Luftwaffe.
I recently read A BOOK about THIS incident where a Luftwaffe pilot escorted a battered B-17 safely across the northern coast of Germany. Interesting perspective on the war (the book was mostly a biography of the German pilot) - he really hated Goering.
 
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