new LIFE photos of Nazi Germany

[Playfair]

You can see the Roman influence everywhere. They wanted to be the new Roman Empire. It is surreal for people who were not around during that time... unreal but extremely real.

[mykalberta]

his only mistake was thinking he could defeat mother earth's winter.

[Bigtime]

So true mykalberta, Hitler also insisted on some pretty stupid stuff from his weapons. Things like insisting the ME 262 jet fighter also be a bomber. Sometimes you can't help but wonder what could have happened had he just let his generals take care of the war business.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

his only mistake was thinking he could defeat mother earth's winter.

That and he started letting emotions guide his decisions. (Siege on Stalingrad)

[arsenal]

And they over engineered their tanks. They where too complicated, expensive, etc. And they were not able to produce enough of them, fast enough. The smaller, less complicated sherman was able to win on sheer numbers.

[Zevo]

And he was insane.

[monkeyman]

I thought i read somewhere once that the allies were considering having him assassinated, but concluded he was making such bad decisions, that doing so would most likely only prolong the war.

[Playfair]

I can't believe how lightly some of you are taking the Nazi's and Hitler. This guy tried to exterminate the Jews, and millions of people died and families were destroyed because of their acts. And people here actually admire him?

I thank God for his screw ups going into Russia, and for the mistakes he made that allowed the allies the upper hand. Who knows what our world would be like today if he was in control? We may not even be here.

People's lives were destroyed, and for a province that is very proud of their military history, you guys are doing those who fought there a great disservice.

I know I will probably get roasted for this, but the Nazi's are no joking manner. Hate is no joking manner, and the death of millions is no joking manner.

There is no way these things should be taken lightly, or admired.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

So true mykalberta, Hitler also insisted on some pretty stupid stuff from his weapons. Things like insisting the ME 262 jet fighter also be a bomber. Sometimes you can't help but wonder what could have happened had he just let his generals take care of the war business.

My grandfather who fought with the Canadian infantry during WWII said until the final moments of his life that if Hitler had have listened to his generals he would have won the war. He always seemed peeved that Churchill, FDR, etc got so much credit for winning the war, when he thought it was more Hitler that lost than the allies winning.

Originally Posted by Playfair

I can't believe how lightly some of you are taking the Nazi's and Hitler. This guy tried to exterminate the Jews, and millions of people died and families were destroyed because of their acts. And people here actually admire him?

I thank God for his screw ups going into Russia, and for the mistakes he made that allowed the allies the upper hand. Who knows what our world would be like today if he was in control? We may not even be here.

People's lives were destroyed, and for a province that is very proud of their military history, you guys are doing those who fought there a great disservice.

I know I will probably get roasted for this, but the Nazi's are no joking manner. Hate is no joking manner, and the death of millions is no joking manner.

There is no way these things should be taken lightly, or admired.

I don't think people are praising Hitler or taking him lightly. I think what posters are trying to convey is that the pictures give another glimpse into his personality. Was he a monster? Yes. Was he a monster that could lounge in a chair and laugh? Why I suppose he was, how odd. It's the "how odd" part of our brains that are intrigued by the photos (that and they are some brilliant photography).

Was he a genius?

Yes.

Was he one of the, if not THE, most charismatic speaker of the 20th century?

Yes.

Was there more to the man than simply a cold warmonger?

Yes.

Was he an evil human being that committed genocide and will spend the rest of eternity frying in Hell?

Again, yes.

[CrusaderPi]

Originally Posted by arsenal

And they over engineered their tanks. They where too complicated, expensive, etc. And they were not able to produce enough of them, fast enough. The smaller, less complicated sherman was able to win on sheer numbers.

I don't buy this at all. A Sherman couldn't touch Panther. The allies were able to move forward because of their air superiority not because of armor. The Soviet T-71 would be a much better example.

I agree with you about the Germans building over complicated, expensive and heavy tanks though.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Playfair

I can't believe how lightly some of you are taking the Nazi's and Hitler. This guy tried to exterminate the Jews, and millions of people died and families were destroyed because of their acts. And people here actually admire him?

I thank God for his screw ups going into Russia, and for the mistakes he made that allowed the allies the upper hand. Who knows what our world would be like today if he was in control? We may not even be here.

People's lives were destroyed, and for a province that is very proud of their military history, you guys are doing those who fought there a great disservice.

I know I will probably get roasted for this, but the Nazi's are no joking manner. Hate is no joking manner, and the death of millions is no joking manner.

There is no way these things should be taken lightly, or admired.

Relax - no one is taking this lightly or admiring him. They are simply discussing his leadership and the mistakes he made....it's a simply a discussion about an important historical figure.

[kermitology]

Wow.. Simply amazing photos! I'm a huge second world war buff.. That's simply amazing.

As for Hitler being a genius. No. But he surrounded himself with brilliant people. From propaganda to military might. His general staff were the brilliance that got him to the place he was at the start of the war. His personal belief that he was a brilliant commander is what lost him the war.

Case and point Stalingrad. It was his decision to attack a city for the moral blow it would have to take the city named after the leader of the Red Army. He sent his best troops with the 6th Army, ill prepared them for winter warfare, and refused to allow withdraw when it was clear that the battle wasn't going to be won or won quickly.

The T-71, the Red Army, and the loss in the Eastern front turned the tide of the war. Not to mention the air superiority of the Spitfire in the Battle of Britain.

No, Hitler wasn't a genius in any way shape or form.

[Sylvanfan]

It's surreal to see how the whole country is decked out with SS propaganda and the crowds at those functions. It's tough to believe that this was reality during those times. When I see those pictures it gives me an idea of how difficult it was for the allied forces to defeat the Germans, and appreciate that they were able to eventually do it.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Wow.. Simply amazing photos! I'm a huge second world war buff.. That's simply amazing.

As for Hitler being a genius. No. But he surrounded himself with brilliant people. From propaganda to military might. His general staff were the brilliance that got him to the place he was at the start of the war. His personal belief that he was a brilliant commander is what lost him the war.

Case and point Stalingrad. It was his decision to attack a city for the moral blow it would have to take the city named after the leader of the Red Army. He sent his best troops with the 6th Army, ill prepared them for winter warfare, and refused to allow withdraw when it was clear that the battle wasn't going to be won or won quickly.

The T-71, the Red Army, and the loss in the Eastern front turned the tide of the war. Not to mention the air superiority of the Spitfire in the Battle of Britain.

No, Hitler wasn't a genius in any way shape or form.

Sorry, I should have been more clear rather than simplistic for the sake of repetitive effect in my post.

Was he a genius? Yes. You don't get to the position and become the historical figure that Hitler is if you're not brilliant. Was he a military genius? No. As per the points you list. Even if he was of above average intelligence I don't think there's any way he would have been able to do what he did.

[FireFly]

Well that just makes him human to me now. A troubled soul, but still human.

Seeing the rallies, it makes one wonder if they could have gone against that if they had lived during those times.... Sure, I'd like to think I'd be strong enough, but millions weren't.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Wow.. Simply amazing photos! I'm a huge second world war buff.. That's simply amazing.

As for Hitler being a genius. No. But he surrounded himself with brilliant people. From propaganda to military might. His general staff were the brilliance that got him to the place he was at the start of the war. His personal belief that he was a brilliant commander is what lost him the war.

Case and point Stalingrad. It was his decision to attack a city for the moral blow it would have to take the city named after the leader of the Red Army. He sent his best troops with the 6th Army, ill prepared them for winter warfare, and refused to allow withdraw when it was clear that the battle wasn't going to be won or won quickly.

The T-71, the Red Army, and the loss in the Eastern front turned the tide of the war. Not to mention the air superiority of the Spitfire in the Battle of Britain.

No, Hitler wasn't a genius in any way shape or form.

I think another part of Hitler's success is something that to this day, many people still don't like to discuss is that he had A LOT of support in countries that he was fighting against, as well as "neutral" countries. People don't like to talk about it, but even in allied countries, a lot of the common people supported the Third Reich which made occupation fairly easy. It's been somewhat swept under the rug though as many people ignore or outright deny it now.

The United States was happily turning a blind eye to American comapnies doing business with the Nazi's. Many British people were indifferent at first (even disallowing Jewish refugees to enter Britain), and later on, even protested against the war. Hitler was easily able to conquer some countries because the people saw him as a liberator against communists and corrupt governments.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The United States was happily turning a blind eye to American comapnies doing business with the Nazi's.

The reason behind the greatest movie of all time being made. It was (at least at one point of it's many clusterfatas of a writing process) made to help stir up support for the war in Europe.

Casablanca

[Table 5]

http://rense.com/grm/image012%204.jpg

clearly a little off topic, but it's pretty fascinating that a car designed in the 30's looks more or less the same today. it seems like such a different world.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

It's surreal to see how the whole country is decked out with SS propaganda and the crowds at those functions. It's tough to believe that this was reality during those times. When I see those pictures it gives me an idea of how difficult it was for the allied forces to defeat the Germans, and appreciate that they were able to eventually do it.

I'm 100% german moved to the states in 89.

My whole family fought for the german army during the world wars.

I am not saying that what my fatherland did was right but you have to see it in the eyes of a german after the humilation that the allies put them thru after ww1.

Hitler (not german) gave the german people hope. (hmmm reminds me of someone) but he gave them thoughts that made a whole country stand up for themselfs. Now I am no way saying that his ideals were right. I dont think his ideas about killing jews were a good thing. ( I dont think people should be killed by any sort of religion) Hell he lost argubaly the smartest person in Einstein and that could of changed the way of the war.

My great grandparent to great uncles were still alive up until a couple of years ago. I remember I talked to my great grandpa and he told me that they had no choice to fight. They either fought or were shot on sight by the nazi's. Gotta remember not every German was a National socialist.

He also told me basically that by the time he was in the war they knew they were not going to win and the only thing he tried to do was stay alive.

Seeing stuff like this having mass amounts of people falling head over heels for one political leader is scary... HMM sounds familar again...

I'm am proud to be German. Always have always will. German people have done great things in the world (beating napolean) and they have done some seriously bad things. (holocuaust) Yes there are Dark things in german history but it is important to know them.

I have been to Berlin once in my life and I never want to go back. partially because of the wall and all the bad history and two I'm bavarian so we are better than the rest of the germans lol.

I havent been back home in a long time but I plan on going back sometime in the next 5 years. I have alot of family in Munich and want to see them.

But going to germany has to be simular to me living in tuscaloosa alabama now with the loss of the cival war. all the history down here. Hell my fiances dad is a dean at the university and his building was torched by the yanks during the war. Two Buildings were not torched here in tuscaloosa at the university one being a mental health area where the buildings still stand and the only building the university built for military purposes during the war. The presidents mansion was torched but the presidents wife put the fire out before it got out of hand.

I love history and basic history involves war. always has always will.

War isn't something anyone really wants to see but is a evil part of humans that come out.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Playfair

I can't believe how lightly some of you are taking the Nazi's and Hitler. This guy tried to exterminate the Jews, and millions of people died and families were destroyed because of their acts. And people here actually admire him?

I thank God for his screw ups going into Russia, and for the mistakes he made that allowed the allies the upper hand. Who knows what our world would be like today if he was in control? We may not even be here.

People's lives were destroyed, and for a province that is very proud of their military history, you guys are doing those who fought there a great disservice.

I know I will probably get roasted for this, but the Nazi's are no joking manner. Hate is no joking manner, and the death of millions is no joking manner.

There is no way these things should be taken lightly, or admired.

No one is admiring anything, but to deny the truth of action; had he not attacked Russia we would likely be all under the Nazzi banner - so thankfully his ego got the best of him. Had his ego been tempered by by a a counterbalanced personality (of which he had none), he would have gone after oil in the ME and crushed England and North Africa, he then could have gone after Russia or made an uneasy peace with them and the US would have had to do the same without a beach head to invade from.

He only came to be power because of the short sightedness of the British Empire who started WW1 to curb Germany's economic rise because they relied to much on a credit system that almost bankrupted them, similar to what caused this latest credit crisis in the US.