Front Row Seat at the Nuremberg Trials, November 1945

Summary

The speaker reflects on their experience as an officer assigned to the courtroom during the Nuremberg Trials, detailing their responsibilities and interactions with prominent figures like Hermann Göring and Karl Dönitz. They describe the atmosphere in the courtroom, noting Göring's arrogance and attempts to rally the other defendants, while also expressing camaraderie with Dönitz. The speaker humorously recounts the formalities of military salutes and reflects on the significance of witnessing the trial of those accountable for starting the war, considering it a fitting conclusion to their service.

Takeaways

• 😀 The officer served as part of the internal security detail during the Nuremberg Trials, responsible for courtroom order.
• 😀 He managed the entry of individuals into the courtroom, ensuring only authorized personnel were allowed.
• 😀 Communication between defendants and their attorneys was monitored to prevent unauthorized discussions.
• 😀 Göring was characterized as arrogant and disruptive, often yelling during proceedings.
• 😀 The officer found Hess to be mostly passive and uninterested during the trials.
• 😀 There was a lack of camaraderie among the defendants, with Göring's leadership attempts largely ignored.
• 😀 The officer enjoyed interactions with Karl Dönitz, noting the ironic reversal of power as he had to salute him.
• 😀 The officer had prior military experience, adding to his authority during the trials.
• 😀 He felt a sense of fulfillment witnessing the accountability of major war figures.
• 😀 The Nuremberg Trials served as a significant historical moment, marking the end of an era and the establishment of accountability.

Q & A

What was the role of the officer in the courtroom during the trials?

The officer was part of the internal security detachment responsible for maintaining order in the courtroom, checking the credentials of people entering, and ensuring that prisoners did not speak unless permitted.

Who were some of the notable figures the officer interacted with during the trials?

The officer interacted with various figures, including Hermann Göring, who was described as arrogant, and Karl Dönitz, who was noted for his Prussian military bearing.

What issues did the officer face while performing his duties?

The officer mentioned dealing with disruptive behavior from prisoners, particularly Göring, who would yell out during proceedings, and noted that the other defendants mostly ignored him.

How did the officer feel about his interactions with Karl Dönitz?

The officer enjoyed his interactions with Dönitz, especially the irony of having a former enemy officer salute him, as he held a position of authority after the war.

What was the officer’s military background before serving at the Nuremberg trials?

Before serving at Nuremberg, the officer had experience as both an enlisted man and an officer, along with a significant amount of combat experience.

How did the officer perceive the dynamics among the defendants during the trial?

The officer observed that while Göring attempted to rally the other defendants as a team against the proceedings, they largely ignored him, recognizing that his power had diminished.

What emotions did the officer express about witnessing the trials?

The officer felt a sense of closure and satisfaction in witnessing the accountability of those responsible for starting the war, describing it as a nice wrap-up of everything.

What specific duties did the officer perform when the tribunal entered the courtroom?

The officer was responsible for ensuring that everyone stood when the tribunal entered and sat down when they took their seats.

Which prisoner did the officer enjoy talking to during the trials?

The officer enjoyed talking to Hermann Göring during lulls in the proceedings, despite finding him a headache overall.

What did the officer mean by 'saluting the victorious officer'?

The officer referred to the tradition where enemy officers salute victorious officers after a conflict, indicating a formal recognition of his authority over the former German military leaders.