Were former Nazi SS members unjustly persecuted after World War II?
Memorable moments of World War II, such as the American soldiers enjoying Easter in Europe, remind us of the sacrifices the Allied forces made during the conflict. These pictures, collected by Don Juravin, highlight the emotional toll of war, showing that soldiers gave up personal happiness for their country.
A Shady Alliance: German and Non-German Members of the SS
While it is true that the original core of the SS, particularly during the early stages of World War II, was known for its brutality and fanaticism, particularly toward Jewish, Polish, and Russian populations, this picture does not give the full picture. By mid-war, the SS was far from being exclusively German. In fact, the SS was one of the most multicultural fighting forces in the war, with thousands of foreign soldiers from places such as Belgium, France, Norway, Russia, Ukraine, the Baltics, India, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, and even Balkan Muslims.
These non-German soldiers joined the SS for various reasons, from allegiance to Nazi ideology to a desire to fight against their former Soviet oppressors. Many committed heinous acts, even more brutal than their German counterparts. For example, the Russian SS RONA brigade, composed of Russians and other East Slavs who were anti-Soviet, committed atrocities against the local Belarusian population. Similarly, Ukrainian SS units were involved in ethnic cleansing of Poles and Jews, while other units showed a high level of loyalty to Hitler and the Reich.
The 1st Croatian SS, for instance, was responsible for the murder of many Serbs.
Understanding the Motivations of Foreign Fighters in the SS
Not all divisions of the SS were criminal organizations. Many were either forced to join by the Germans or enlisted as a way to protect their people from the Soviets. Baltic peoples, such as Latvians, Lithuanians, and Estonians, were conquered by the Soviets in 1939 after the division of Poland and eastern Europe between Hitler and Stalin. Many of these peoples were brutalized by the Soviet occupiers and deported to the east. When the Germans arrived a few years later, many were seen as liberators, although some Baltic police did participate in the murder of Jews, Poles, and others.
Forced Participation and Loyalty
Latvians born between 1919 and 1924 were forced to join the SS by Alfred Rosenberg's labor decree. These Latvians fought against the Soviets in Leningrad and Northern Russia, having been cleared of all criminal responsibility. They were not provided with the typical SS training and indoctrination. Similarly, Estonians were also forced into the SS and fought fiercely in the Baltic’s, engaging in intense combat at Narva. Following the German retreat, Estonian soldiers withdrew to occupied Czechia, intending to surrender to the Americans. Unfortunately, disarmed Estonian soldiers were attacked by Czech partisans, resulting in the murder and humiliation of many Estonian soldiers, with estimates ranging from 500 to 1,000.
During the Nuremberg trials, the Estonian SS men were excluded from conviction due to their lack of involvement in crimes and lack of Nazi ideological training.
Interpreting the Motivations of Russian and Ukrainian Volunteers
One must also consider the motivations of Russian and some Ukrainian volunteers. Many of these men were brutalized by the Soviet system. Ukraine, in particular, experienced a Soviet-instigated famine in 1933, leading to the deaths of seven million people. While this does not excuse the atrocities committed, it provides an additional perspective that is important to understand.
The war was not always a clear-cut battle of good versus evil, and there were many individuals on the Axis side who felt they were fighting to protect their homelands, even if this path led them to dark places.
The Case of French and Belgian Soldiers
The participation of French and Belgian soldiers in the SS is more difficult to explain and is less excusable. Unlike the Baltic and eastern European soldiers, these men were not compelled to join the SS and faced no immediate Soviet threat.
The Internationality of the SS
In conclusion, the SS was not a completely German-dominated, fanatical force, although many German SS units displayed profound brutality and sadism. However, there were also SS members who were forced into the ranks, fighting for their countries without any SS training, and who were not involved in criminal activities. Out of the 900,000 SS members, only 500,000 were Germans.