15 Comments
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Joseph's avatar

It’s crazy he was released so quick

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James McNeill's avatar

And I am ashamed to admit that the first time I learned of the radio station incident was in Roger Moorhouse's book First To Fight.

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James McNeill's avatar

A thoroughly unpleasant cur, interesting history. Re: Payne Best and Stevens, I’ve known about them for a few years and always been intrigued by the story. I only recently discovered that they were seized because the SD had compromised the whole MI5 operation in the Netherlands. Best gets a mention in Volker Ullrich’s Eight Days in May.

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Wilson Reid's avatar

Superb read about an absolutely horrible man. A s*** of the first order. I'm now going to look up "Tin Eye" who, although he may be legendary, has passed me by. 👍

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Barendina Smedley's avatar

Surely someone ought to make a television series vaguely based on this awful man's life - sort of 'Reilly, Ace of Spies but evil'? There are just too many good (awful) stories there not to do something with them.

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Guy Walters's avatar

'The Nazi Cad'...

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Dr Maureen Wright's avatar

Recently seen a doc with an account of the Polish radio station incident. Great to have this additional information. Doc gave the info that 70% of the SD officers had PhDs. Is this accurate, or should I have a handful of salt to throw over my shoulder!

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Guy Walters's avatar

There were a LOT of PhDs in the Einsatzgruppen.

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Dr Maureen Wright's avatar

My word...so it was true! Goodness me. Just goes to show the pulling power of Nazi ideology. I've always been fascinated by how so many people were drawn in, even among the intelligentsia.

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Joseph's avatar

Why on Earth so many phds I wonder what that was about

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Guy Walters's avatar

I'm not sure of the percentages, and that 70% feels a bit high. Also worth remembering that in the 1920s and 1930s, doctorates in Germany were relatively easy to attain compared to today.

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Dr Maureen Wright's avatar

I wish I'd been around then in that case! I was as white as a sheet when I came out from my Viva!

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Nick Champion's avatar

Utterly fascinating - thank you!

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Madeleine's avatar

He seems nice.

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Guy Walters's avatar

Yes, a terrific chap.

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