Feb. 5, 2015

Martin Bormann said of Ukrainian children: "They are fair, with blue eyes, bonny and chubby-faced. In comparison, our children look like tottering little chicks." And of the adults: "They are bursting with good health." This photograph is from 1942.

Carolyn Yeager and Ray Goodwin read and comment on the July 17-22, 1942 lunch and dinner table monologues by the German Leader, as taken down in shorthand by aide Henry Picker. 1h24m. Included in this episode:

• Goebbels failed to introduce wired-wireless radio control in Germany before the war to prevent foreign broadcasts;
• Roads are superior to railroads for unification--Hitler wants to create a network of autobahen from Berlin to the East Wall;
• Hitler agrees to an interview with a foreign journalist so he can respond to the persistent talk of a Second Front, i.e. Allied landing;
• Discussion of "seaman's yarns" and need to consider superstitions of the public when making decisions;
• The Channel Islands and how they could be used after the war;
• Hitler criticises lawyers again and makes some very good points
• Russia's strength and the Stakhanov system--Bormann tells of his tour of Ukraine;
• More on how to treat the local populations in the occupied territories (see Ukraine images here).

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.

Jan. 22, 2015

Carolyn Yeager and Ray Goodwin read and comment on the July 4-6, 1942 lunch and dinner table monologues by the German Leader, as taken down in shorthand by aide Henry Picker. 1h22m. Included in this episode:

• The Concordat with the Catholic Church is declared "obsolete" and Hitler discusses ways to end it;
• The hard-boiled diplomacy of the Vatican causes Hitler to shun direct contact with its representatives;
• A warning to Czech President Hacha and his government, following a memorial service for Reinhard Heydrich, of severe consequences if all Benes intrigues and all pro-Benes individuals are not stamped out;
• Frugality of southern Italians has its good and bad sides, and thoughts on a state-directed economy vs Jewish "Free Trade;"
• The stupidity of kings;
• Britain has dominated Europe for 300 years because of their superior race and intelligence, but now NS Germany will fill that role;
• The importance of the Passion Play at Oberammergau for portraying so well the menace of Jewry.

Image: Cartoon from Der Sturmer (May 1938)-"The Devil prompting a Catholic priest to write his anti-Nazi slogans." 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.

Jan. 8, 2015

Carolyn Yeager and Ray Goodwin read and comment on the June 21-27, 1942 lunch and dinner table monologues by the German Leader, as taken down in shorthand by aide Henry Picker. 1h25m. Included in this episode:

• Why Rommel and Dietl are the most popular generals in Germany -- the Volkswagen and desert warfare;
• Scrutiny of the people's activities by the security police and regulation by the federal ministries should follow the rule of less, rather than more;
• Problems with transportation of fruits and vegetables, and other items, must be dealt with;
• Importance of good, strong leadership in the Gaus and newly added territories,
• Hitler: Nothing more harmful to the organization of a State than over-centralization and limitation of local power;
• Best method for electing heads of state, including that a son should never succeed his father;
• Hitler commends Leon Degrelle (even though he was a Royalist) and the  "Flamands", then speaks of the importance of road construction in Russia to begin immediately;
• The coalition between Great Britain and the United States, Russia and China requires a miracle to hold together.

Image: Erwin Rommel, "the Desert Fox," is awarded the rank and symbolic baton of Field Marshal for his taking of Tobruk on June 21, 1942. 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.

Dec. 11, 2014

President Paul Hindenburg, Minister-General Werner von Blomberg and Chancellor Adolf Hitler at the Garrison Church on the 'Day of Potsdam,' March 1933.

Carolyn Yeager and Ray Goodwin read and comment on the May 20-June 4, 1942 lunch and dinner table monologues by the German Leader, as taken down in shorthand by aide Henry Picker. 1h46m. Included in this episode:

• Hitler explains how he raised the standard of living for showgirls in Berlin;
• He describes in detail his assumption of power, including negotiations with Von Papen, Generals Schleicher and Hammerstein, and the "Old Gentleman" Hindenburg;
• How his relationship with Hindenburg became very warm and close;
• Treatment of spies and war-time criminals must be the most severe--compares them to the idealist at the Front;
• Approves of a movie film about Lola Montez and Ludwig 1 of Bavaria;
• Artists should be recognized in their lifetimes--Mozart, Bruckner and Haydn--Vienna compared to Munich as art capitals;
• Hitler advises to follow nature in designing aircraft and ships--the importance and difficulty of invention;
• Murder in Prague--Hitler reacts angrily to the assassination death of the "irreplaceable" Reinhard Heydrich and orders that all must obey regulations intended to ensure their safety.
  

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.