Victor Klemperer on Nazi invasion of Russia 1941

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sarahkatelee20
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Victor Klemperer on Nazi invasion of Russia 1941

#1

Post by sarahkatelee20 » 09 Mar 2014, 15:56

Hi all.

For a university project I must analyse a primary source based on life in Nazi Germany.
I have chose an extract from Victor Klemperer's I Shall Bear Witness - a diary entry on 22nd June 1941 - The same day of operation barbarossa.

The main theme I can draw from this source is Klemperer's constant questioning of the public mood towards the nazi regime.
The source records different responses towards the invasion - and ends with a description of celebration - that the war would end quicker due to Hitler's invasion - and that Hitler had invaded purely for the benefit of the Volk.

Has anyone read this source/have any other ideas or themes that stand out?

:)

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John Hilly
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Re: Victor Klemperer on Nazi invasion of Russia 1941

#2

Post by John Hilly » 09 Mar 2014, 18:51

There is also a German TV-series based on this book.
"Die Blechtrommel trommelt noch!"


pugsville
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Re: Victor Klemperer on Nazi invasion of Russia 1941

#3

Post by pugsville » 10 Mar 2014, 07:25

recently read the 1933-41 volume of his dairy. One thing that stands out is the constant small kindness shown by many Germans. Shops giving him stuff without ration cards knowing he is a jew. When he goes out with the Star for the first time, he is greeted by a stranger who along with his friends has decided to greet all Jews in public as a way of showing their disagreement with the Jewish policies. Klemperer and his circle are constantly reviewing the days interactions to draw conclusions about the support the Regime has.

Klemperer views himself as German, total German and he would remain in Germany after the war. He had a extreme dislike of Zionism saying they as bad as the Nazis, because they too deny his German-ness, but classify people by race like the Nazis.

I found Klemperer very interesting, I know what to read other dairies of others in different positions in German society.

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Maxschnauzer
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Re: Victor Klemperer on Nazi invasion of Russia 1941

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Post by Maxschnauzer » 10 Mar 2014, 14:32

pugsville wrote: Klemperer views himself as German, total German and he would remain in Germany after the war. He had a extreme dislike of Zionism saying they as bad as the Nazis, because they too deny his German-ness, but classify people by race like the Nazis.
I guess this explains why he didn't leave Germany in the 1930's like his famous cousin, the conductor Otto Klemperer. He also converted to Protestantism, as I recall.
Cheers,
Max

Carl Schwamberger
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Re: Victor Klemperer on Nazi invasion of Russia 1941

#5

Post by Carl Schwamberger » 10 Mar 2014, 17:13

If you wish a comparative witness, find a copy of 'Pattern of Conquest' by Seymore Hersch. Hersch was a US journalist, who lived in Germany from 1939 into 1941. He wrote a series of essays that were published serially in the Christian Science Monitor, & in this book. Much of it concerns economics and policy towards the occupied nations, but several sections describe in detail his interactions with the Germans and their apparent attitude.

sarahkatelee20
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Re: Victor Klemperer on Nazi invasion of Russia 1941

#6

Post by sarahkatelee20 » 10 Mar 2014, 21:10

Thank you all! It has helped a lot.

What is interesting in the abstract is that he makes little attention to the activities about to happen in Russia. The most profound element in his trail of thought is the general mood of the public towards this.

It also accounts the generosity of a '90% National Socialist' - simply depicting that not all 'Aryans' were 100% committed and true to the Nazi regime. Humanity was not entirely lost after all.

pugsville
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Re: Victor Klemperer on Nazi invasion of Russia 1941

#7

Post by pugsville » 11 Mar 2014, 05:18

He did make attempts to arrange to leave Germany, but very late 38/39 (IIRC) he was a very self identified German, and money worries how he could earn a living abroad was something that put him off. (university lecturer in French Literature 18th/19th century, but his actual spoken French was pretty poor.) But by the time he made attempts to leave it was too late.
(his brother form the US was willingly to provide the money)

The Attitude of everyday Germans is hard to evaluate, and certainly from one source. But it has made me more interested to try and read anything similar if I can get my hands on it.

uhu
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Re: Victor Klemperer on Nazi invasion of Russia 1941

#8

Post by uhu » 11 Mar 2014, 20:07

Sarah, show your Prof. something different. Take a look at this book description on Amazon, read the comments and note almost 50 five star reviews. Picture a beautiful White Russian princess working for the German Foreign Office in berlin.

http://www.amazon.com/Berlin-Diaries-19 ... rlin+diary

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