Himmler chose certain camps and, together with Kaltenbrunner and Mueller, ordered the commandants of these camps to carry out the extermination program. This was done in the chain of command as I have just told you. I emphasize that it was Himmler to Kaltenbrunner to Mueller to Gluecks, who was also one of my subordinate generals, to the individual concentration camp commandants, who had been selected by Himmler to perform the exterminations. Otherwise, Himmler would have had to give the orders to me because I was technically in charge of the concentration camps. What I am trying to bring out is that although I am responsible for the camps, and the extermination program took place within these camps, I am not responsible for the extermination program itself, because these orders did not go through me, but went through the chain of individuals I have just mentioned.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- He claims responsibility for camps but denies responsibility for extermination orders, citing a specific chain of command.
- In plain terms
- He says orders bypassed him, so he is not responsible for exterminations.
- What can you take from it?
- Shifting blame via organizational structure.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does structure excuse complicity?
- Who bears final responsibility?
Another view
His technical charge contradicts the claim of no responsibility.
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