Prestigious Publication on Post-War Nazi Crimes

Amsterdam University Press, in collaboration with K.G. Saur Verlag in Munich, presents the esteemed Justiz und NS-Verbrechen series. This publication, which started in 2002, encompasses the comprehensive collection of post-war criminal judgments relating to Nazi crimes. In addition to the West German series, the East German judgments are now included in a separate volume.

Volume 13: Judgments from May 1945 to April 1947

Volume 13 of the series features judgments handed down during the first 23 months following the end of World War II. From May 1945 to April 1947, these verdicts shed light on the aftermath of the war and the prosecution of Nazi criminals in Germany.

Delays and Challenges

The initial case involving fatalities was brought before the Volksgericht Sachsen, established by a provincial government decree in September 1945. However, a significant pause followed until April 1946 due to various reasons. The closure of existing German courts after the allied occupation led to the establishment of non-traditional judicial systems in different parts of East Germany. Organizational difficulties and personnel shortages further exacerbated the delays, as many judicial staff members were interned or investigated by German authorities. Additionally, former members of the NSDAP or those involved in the Nazi "special justice" system were not permitted to resume judicial service in East Germany.

The Prosecution Process

From May 1946 to April 1947, trials were conducted at an average rate of one every six days. With only one exception, these cases focused on crimes committed in East Germany. The victims primarily consisted of German civilians, although approximately 10% of the cases addressed killings of Jews, prisoners, and war-weary German soldiers in the final phase of the war. The majority of the trials revolved around denunciations, with about 11% related to crimes in detainment centers or the so-called "final phase crimes."

Prosecution Criteria

The prosecution of Nazi crimes during these 23 months had similarities to the process in West Germany. The courts primarily focused on crimes within their jurisdictional territory, based on charges against specific individuals, coincidental discoveries, or crimes that remained fresh in the public's memory due to their severity or recency. Examples include the renowned Euthanasia trial and trials related to crimes committed in the Dresden detainment centers and forced labor camps.

The Justiz und NS-Verbrechen series offers invaluable insights into the legal response and judicial proceedings surrounding Nazi crimes in post-war Germany. It is a significant contribution to understanding the efforts to bring justice and accountability to those responsible for atrocities committed during this dark period of history.