The U.S. War Crimes Trial Program in Germany, 1946-1955

(Hardback)

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Although more than 40 years have passed since the end of World War II, the subject of Nazi war criminals remains a timely and emotionally charged topic of interest to scholars as well as the general public. Administered jointly by the four major Allies, the Nuremberg trial of Hermann Goering and Joachim von Ribbentrop, among other Nazi leaders, has drawn much attention over the years. It was the U.S. Army, however, which was most active in bringing Nazi war criminals to justice and, between 1944 and 1947, the army prosecuted 1,672 individuals for violations of the laws of war. Most of the army's trials remained obscure and little-noticed, even though they dealt with almost 90 percent of all defendants in the American zone. This study examines the treatment of prominent and lesser-known war criminals in the U.S. Zone of Occupation, covering both the trial and clemency aspects of the American war crimes program. In addition, it also explores the relationship between the war criminals issue and U.S. efforts to democratize the Germans, German nationalism, U.S. constitutional issues, the cold war and German rearmament in the 1950s. Finally, the study analyzes the extent to which the U.S. Army war crimes program achieved its stated goals. Based on unpublished sources from both the United States and West Germany, many of which have only recently been declassified, this book provides fresh insight on Nazi war criminals and their treatment, as well as important issues relating to post-war Germany. This book will be of special interest to scholars and historians specializing in European and modern history, post-war Germany, U.S. foreign relations since World War II, the Holocaust, and U.S. military justice and war criminals.

Reviews

"Carefully researched, impressively organized, and soundly presented, Buscher's account will enjoy a wide audience. He addresses basic themes of post World War II policies impressively. His study merits our applause for bringing so much new material to light. At last!"-Charles Burdick Professor of History San Jose State University San Jose, California
An important study of a neglected subject: American efforts immediately after the war to punish Nazis found guilty of atrocities and thus to enlighten Germans about past crimes. The book, based on much unpublished material, depicts the opposition in Washington and among Germans to these policies and the gradual enfeeblement of the program. . . . A disturbing monograph, a brief contribution to the history of America's role in the early years of postwar Germany.-Foreign Affairs
Professionals with an interest in war crimes should clear shelf space for Frank Buscher's incisive analysis of the war crimes program in the American occupation zone from l946 to l955.-Perspective
"Professionals with an interest in war crimes should clear shelf space for Frank Buscher's incisive analysis of the war crimes program in the American occupation zone from l946 to l955."-Perspective
"An important study of a neglected subject: American efforts immediately after the war to punish Nazis found guilty of atrocities and thus to enlighten Germans about past crimes. The book, based on much unpublished material, depicts the opposition in Washington and among Germans to these policies and the gradual enfeeblement of the program. . . . A disturbing monograph, a brief contribution to the history of America's role in the early years of postwar Germany."-Foreign Affairs

Author Bio

FRANK M. BUSCHER is an Assistant Professor of History at Christian Brothers College in Memphis, Tennessee.