Hi Sid
Sid Guttridge wrote: I don't know where you are writing from but, especially if it is from the Anglo-Saxon world, to characterize Germany's interwar police force as "members of the general civil population" is, to put it kindly, a gross oversimplification.
Some parts, such ...
In your last post
you defined the general civil population to "embrace the entire adult male population" the police are obviously included in your definition. So why the long contradiction?
Sid Guttridge wrote: If my understanding is mistaken that the General German civilian population was not subject to conscription into the Waffen-SS after July 1944, you must explain why the Waffen-SS was subject to a quota limit of Reich German manpower prior to that? You must also put a date on when your version of conscription from the general civil population began (and not just of a few postmen and doctors).
I have several times said that the conscription we are discussing occurred prior to July 1944. Please show/quote me where I have said the conscription
did not occur after July 1944? You were the one who claimed that it only occurred after July 1944.
The 9 month figure you have claimed is therefore incorrect. Himmler's post July 1944 elevation did not signal the start of the conscription .
I have provided sources from two historian who recognise 1942/43 as the start date (this is likely the start of the significant conscription). The testimony by Brill puts the date for conscription beginning (in presumably some form) from at least 1940 onwards (citing conscription of postmen, policemen, civil employees, technicians, doctors).
Sid Guttridge wrote: I am surprised you want a source for Himmler being made head of the Ersatzheer after the July Bomb Plot. This is so widely known, and available in any potted history of the man, that it is probably superfluous to provide any links, but I will humour you and do so when I return.
This is of course not what I asked you for, so please save us all the trouble.
I asked for "sources" to back your
speculation in the cause (Himmler taking control of the Ersatzheer ) having you claimed effect (allowing conscription of the general German civil population into Waffen SS
to begin). That is, how did Himmler's taking control of the Ersatzheer
cause conscription of the general German civil population into the Waffen SS to begin. Since you specified that this conscription was not operating before then, but for only a maximum of 9 months before the war ended.
Perhaps this is clearer? I obviously have no issue with Himmler's taking control of the Ersatzheer.
Judging by the change in tone of your last E-mail, if you:
1/ no longer believe that conscription from the general civil population of Germany to the Waffen SS began in July 1944, and
2/ that these conscripts were not limited to a maximum of 9 months service
then my request for sources is no longer relevant.
I also agree with
your definition of the phrase "general German civil population" to "embrace the entire adult male population". This can therefore include the postmen, students, RAD members, police, doctors technicians etc. It can include conscription targeted at some of these groups, or all of them.
Sid Guttridge wrote: I have no problem if some German civilians were conscripted into the Waffen-SS prior to July 1944.
You are now changing your story. Since previously you wrote:
"As I understand it, conscription from the general civil population of Germany to the Waffen-SS began when Himmler was appointed head of the Ersatzheer (Replacement Army) after the Bomb Plot in July 1944. That is where my "9 months" came from."
At least your new statements are more accurate, and complies with what Rob suggested you should have said.
Sid Guttridge wrote: I was talking about the general availability of German manpower to the Waffen-SS following Himmler taking over the Ersatzheer.
Then you are retracting your claim that Waffen SS conscripts had a maximum of 9 months war service. Good.
Regards
Dennis