April 23, 2015

Ray Goodwin and Carolyn Yeager bring you the final reading from the night of Nov. 29-30, 1944 between Adolf Hitler and Martin Bormann.

Following this short reading, we discuss the general content of these Führer monologues that spanned 1941 to 1944. 1h56m. Discussion includes:

• Hitler and Bormann agree on the "fatal relationship" between Communism and Christianity;
• Ray gives a personal overview of the contents of Table Talk;
• Carolyn describes how TT shifted her thinking about Hitler in a number of areas, but mainly Christianity;
• Overview of Hitler's highly controversial criticisms of the Christian Churches in Germany and Christian doctrine;
• Richard Carrier is the main source of the reports that Table Talk is untrustworthy and the Trevor-Roper edition translated by Cameron and Stevens is "not what Hitler actually said."
• More controversial quotes from Hitler about "Russians, Slavs and Stalin" and "Race and Jews";
• Where we are today considering the subjects addressed in Table Talk.

The edition of Hitler's Table Talk being used was translated by Norman Cameron and R.H. Stevens, published by Enigma Books, New York, and can be found as a pdf here

April 20, 2015

April 20, 1939, Berlin puts on an elaborate celebration in honor of their Fuehrer's 50th birthday. Here, troops leading a marching band goose-step past the reviewing stand and invited guests. Enlarge

Hadding Scott joins Carolyn Yeager to discuss why this is so, and to speculate on what The Fuehrer would have to say if he made an appearance in the world today. One answer to his continuing appeal is that "Hitler was right!" Has anyone ever been more right than he, and also proven it? Discussion includes:

• Hitler's astrological chart reveals a Venusian personality;
• "The Grand Designer" who was actually in the process of designing a marvelous German Reich;
• Hitler took on the job of "saving Germany" in 1918 because he saw no one else who would or could do it;
• Importance of sticking with the Truth - Hitler demanded facts plus sincerity;
• Hitler synthesized Austrian racial pan-Germanism with the Christian Social movement to create National-Socialism;
• Hitler's work habits were a bit on the bohemian side;
• The antisemitism of Richard Wagner and Winifred Wagner's deep friendship with Hitler;
• The appropriateness of Hitler ending his life in Berlin, plus the last-minutes actions of Himmler and Goering;
• Thanks to Ray Goodwin and Fredrick Toben for their calls.
  

In honor of Adolf Hitler's birthday April 20th.

This song will be played during The Heretics' Hour program which willl be devoted to a celebration of his life and thought. Join us!

April 16, 2015

This Episode #55 brings us almost to the end of the conversations recorded in Table Talk. Next week will be our final program of this series, when Ray and I will give our personal views of its authenticiy, meaning and value -- after which we will take phone calls from listeners. If you want to weigh in, be sure to listen to the live show next week, April 23 at 7pm Central (8pm Eastern, 5pm Pacific) at Blogtalk.

Carolyn Yeager and Ray Goodwin read and comment on the June 17, 1943 - May 16, 1944 lunch and dinner table monologues by the German Leader, as taken down in shorthand by an aide. 1h25m. Included in this episode:

• Fear of the unknown - Great battleships no longer useful;
• Long discussion of Berlin compared to Vienna, Munich, Linz - Interests of the Reich are paramount;
• Finding film actors among the Arbeitsdienst - Art critics can be disregarded for the most part;
• Hitler's first sight of the Rhine on way to Western Front in 1914 - Getting away from the crowds that always followed him - the beauties of Austria and Bohemia-Moravia;
• Failure of German state to found a German National Church independent of Rome - The 'Modernist' period -Power of the Church to extract obedience;
• Differences between research and instruction - Research should be completely unrestricted - German philosophers above British, French and American - Kant, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche;
• Hitler argues with leading economist Zwiedineck - After taking power, Hitler's "theories" became sound economy.

Image: Scenic view in the Rhine River that Hitler appreciated so much. Enlarge

The edition of Hitler's Table Talk being used was translated by Norman Cameron and R.H. Stevens, published by Enigma Books, New York, and can be found as a pdf here

April 13, 2015

German soldiers raise the Reichskriegsflagge over the Acropolis at Athens in 1941. Enlarge

Greece has come up with "war crimes" from WWII against "Nazi" Germany that they want today's German government to compensate them for, and which they say amount to several hundred billions of euros. Germany's economy minister has called it "stupid" but the new Greek government, with a communist at its head, isn't giving up. Are these legitimate claims or just another instance of wanting to "stick it to Germany?"

Carolyn looks into the historical background of the claims and at what some financial experts say.

Today is the 70th Anniversary of the death at age 23 of Oberleutnant Leopold Wenger, Jr after over 400 combat missions in the defense of the Reich. At the time of his death, Poldi was Squadron Commander of Schlachtgeschwader 10/Jagd 2 stationed at Markersdorf airfield near St. Pöltan, close to Vienna. In this year of 2015 with so many 70th anniversaries relating to the end of World War II going on, this one should not go unnoticed.

To honor Poldi, I am presenting this report, in a somewhat edited form, written by his younger brother, Willy Wenger, about Willy's search for information on Poldi's last days and the dogfight above Vienna with Russian fighter planes that brought about the belly landing by the seriously wounded pilot and Knight's Cross holder. See here for more background. As fate would have it, April 10 was the birthday of Leopold Wenger Sr., who had an especially close bond with his first-born son.

My Investigation

by Willy Wenger
copyright 2015 Carolyn Yeager

Spring 1997

The winter of this year was particularly long-lasting and a lot of work was waiting for me in the garden. No sooner had I made up my mind to dig up a very extensive root stock than a policeman in uniform came into our garden. He waved his hand when he noticed my puzzled face. I could not explain his appearance. Had I been up to something?

April 9, 2015

Ray Goodwin and Carolyn Yeager read and comment on the Sept. 5-7, 1942 and June 13-15, 1943 lunch and dinner table monologues by the German Leader, as taken down in shorthand by attorney Heinrich Heim and another aide. 1h25m. Included in this episode:

• The failings of monarchies and stupidity of Princes - human need for an idol - courageous Munoz Grande;
• Stalingrad so strongly defended because of its name - Dutch interbred with Malays - Church put religion over race - our soldiers marrying foreign girls ends in catastrophe;
• Britons have no concept of chivalry in war;
• No mercy on schoolmasters - discourages replicating museums in major German cities - plans a military museum in Linz;
• Nineteenth century was time of greatest German masterpieces in every branch of art - Munich lacked adequate money to build quality edifices - men fight for the artistic and intellectual heritage of their nation;
• In defence of Metternich - Bismarck needed the war in 1866;
• Natural wonders of landscape attract people more than art museums - poor taste in art can be tolerated but not depravity.

Image: German soldier with Russian machine gun. The Battle of Stalingrad and the surrender of the 6th Army took place during the 10-month break in the Table Talk text.

The edition of Hitler's Table Talk being used was translated by Norman Cameron and R.H. Stevens, published by Enigma Books, New York, and can be found as a pdf here.

Survivors from the icy waters being pulled up into a rescue helicopter.

Moscow (Reuters) - Greed and corruption were to blame for the sinking of a Russian trawler last week in which at least 56 crew died, a spokesman for investigators said on Wednesday.

The Dalniy Vostok fishing vessel sank in the icy Sea of Okhotsk off Russia's far eastern coast last Thursday (April 2). Sixty-three people were rescued out of a crew of 132 people, with 13 missing presumed dead.

Seventy-eight of those on board were Russian and 42 were from Myanmar (southeast Asia). The remainder were from Vanuatu (Oceania), Latvia and Ukraine.

The Heretics' Hour is taking an Easter break. There will be no show on April 6th.

Have a joyful day!