Basic HTML Version
the drop length was too short or that the condemned died from strangulation instead of a broken
neck
Additionally, the
was too small, such that several of the condemned suffered
bleeding head injuries when they hit the sides of the trapdoor while dropping through
The bodies were rumored to have been taken to Dachau for cremation, but were instead incinerated
in a crematorium in Munich and the ashes scattered over the river
Kingsbury Smith of the
International News Service wrote an eyewitness account of a reporter watching the hangings. His
historical press account of it appeared with photos in newspaper
Final moments of Nazis executed at
Nuremberg
Friday 11 September 2009 07.05 EDTLast modified on Wednesday 11 June
Inside the cells: The prison psychologist remembers
On 3 January 1946, Albert Speer disrupted Göring's united front by announcing that he
had attempted to assassinate Hitler in February, and planned to deliver Himmler to the
allies. Gustave Gilbert interviewed Göring and Speer in their cells soon afterwards.
Göring's cell
Tonight Göring looked tired and depressed. "This was a bad day," he said. "Damn that
stupid fool, Speer! Did you see how he disgraced himself in court today? How could he
stoop so low as to do such a rotten thing to save his lousy neck? I nearly died with
shame! To think that Germans will be so rotten to prolong this filthy life. Do you think I
give that much of a damn about this lousy life?" He faced me squarely with blazing eyes.
"For myself, I don't give a damn if I get executed, or drown, or crash in a plane, or drink
myself to death! But there is still a matter of honour in this damn life! Assassination
attempt on Hitler! Ugh! I could have sunk through the floor. And do you think I would
have handed Himmler over to the enemy, guilty as he was? Dammit, I would have
liquidated the bastard myself! Or if there was to have been any trial, a German court
should have sentenced him! Would Americans think of handing over their criminals to us
to sentence?"
He was called to see his attorney, and as we left the cell he reverted to his usually pose of
jocularity for the benefit of the guards and any prisoners who might be listening.
Edited extract from Nuremberg Diary by Gustave Gilbert (Da Capo Press)
End of the trial: Guardian report on the executions, 16 October 1946
Advertisement
13 |
P a g e