Hang all of those government officials and agents who were “just following orders.”
At a dinner meeting of the Big Three on Nov. 29, Stalin proposed executing 50,000 to 100,000 German officers so that Germany could not plan another war. Roosevelt, believing Stalin was not serious, quipped that “maybe 49,000 would be enough.”
Churchill, however, was outraged and denounced “the cold-blooded execution of soldiers who fought for their country.” Before storming out of the room, he said that only war criminals should be put on trial. Stalin brought him back after saying that he was only joking.
I’m not saying Stalin should have suggested any number at all. I’m pointing out the oddity of Stalin executing millions of his own people but only wanting 50,000 to 100,000 Germans executed.
At a dinner meeting of the Big Three on Nov. 29, Stalin proposed executing 50,000 to 100,000 German officers so that Germany could not plan another war. Roosevelt, believing Stalin was not serious, quipped that “maybe 49,000 would be enough.”
Churchill, however, was outraged and denounced “the cold-blooded execution of soldiers who fought for their country.” Before storming out of the room, he said that only war criminals should be put on trial. Stalin brought him back after saying that he was only joking.
I’m guessing the word “unless” was floating around Stalin’s head at the time.
The only reason to think Stalin was not being serious was that 50,000 to 100,000 would have been way too few for him.
That’s one German officer for every 60-120 murdered Jews. What number should Stalin have suggested?
I’m not saying Stalin should have suggested any number at all. I’m pointing out the oddity of Stalin executing millions of his own people but only wanting 50,000 to 100,000 Germans executed.
A claim used in Der Angriff to justify the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. Germans were the original “We will be greated as liberators” guys.
Nice of you to have your Nazi propaganda memorized.
Churchill’s only motivation for joining the war was that he couldn’t stand the idea of someone being a bigger asshole than himself.