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I am the only living witness but I must say the truth. Contrary to the opinion of the National Socialists that the Jews were a highly organized group, the appalling fact was that they had no organization whatsoever. The mass of the Jewish people were taken completely by surprise. Never before has a people gone so unsuspectingly to its disaster. After the first anti-Jewish actions of the Germans, they thought now the wave was over and so they walked back to their undoing.

Erich von dem Bach#1

HistoryAntisemitismHolocaustInterpretationPropaganda

About this quote

What does it mean?
He asserts that Jews lacked organization during the Holocaust, contrary to Nazi claims, leading to their being caught unprepared.
In plain terms
He says Jews were unorganized and surprised by the Holocaust.
What can you take from it?
Historical narratives can differ from official propaganda.

Where it applies

  • academic debate
  • memorial discussions

Putting it to work

  • critically assess sources
  • recognize propaganda influence

Questions to consider

  • How do we reconcile differing accounts of victim organization?
  • What impact does propaganda have on historical memory?

Another view

The claim overlooks many documented resistance efforts.

More from Erich von dem Bach

  1. I was the only SS leader in Russia who was not assassinated or upon whom an assassination was never attempted. I could walk anywhere without a bodyguard.

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  2. From May until August, I went on a search for Himmler. Finally, I gave myself up voluntarily in August 1945. I went from one village to another looking for Him…

    Permalink to quote #3
  3. Germany could not win this war because it was in league with the devil. This war would not have ended without revolution.

    Permalink to quote #4

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