People said about black uniform. On the other hand, I know what sort of men joined Schutzstaffel in the 30-s - engineers, medics, qualified workers, everyone to whom NS regime has given working places, hope for justice and self-respect. This could not have been them.
The situation is very clear if you look onto Iraq today. The number of mercenaries is almost equal to the Federal troops' one. About 120 thousands armed men wear uniform different from GI, they don't submit to the government and cannot be prosecuted like normal soldiers. In the faraway lands, nobody in the Western society knows what do they do there and who gives them orders, it's terra incognita behind the TV picture with the immaculate soldiers patroling streets in Bagdad. The scandal with Blackwater is possible today, in the era of TV media some small drops of shit from the bottomless barrel can infiltrate and reach our eyes, in 1942 this was impossible. Himmler and Co. created the special murder teams under the honorable brand of SS; who in Germany was aware that this uniform was put onto the essence of butchers and scumbags which made the hell somethere so far from cozy Bavarian sidestreets?

Putting aside your Iraq comments, I thought I should offer some clarification on the Einsatzgruppen. Of the 4 Einsatzgruppen that operated in Russia during the war (all were disbanded by Oct 1944), 2 were lead by doctors (in various fields), and one by a professor. Also, if we look at their subdivisions, Einsatzkommando, about half were lead by doctors (again, in various fields). I am just trying to point out that even members of the Einsatzgruppen were not scum or thugs. Though, I am sure there were some within the enlisted ranks.

__________________
There can be no bystanders in the battle for survival. Anyone who will not fight by your side is an enemy you must crush.

We are at war with forces too terrible to comprehend. We cannot afford mercy for any of its victims too weak to take the correct course. Mercy destroys us; it weakens us and saps our resolve. Put aside all such thoughts. They are not worthy of those in the service of country.

Goebbels was called not else, as Dr. Goebbels. If you mean such "scientists", I think your information is correct. My point is that the real medic who healed people and saved lives all his life, can not operate the murder of women and children either out of the scientific reasons, or out of ideology. This can be done by the specially trained people or by the initially insane anti-social intellectuals who are able to percieve the disgraceful role of hangman and butcher as entertainment.
Just out of curiosity you could get the info about those doctors and professors - had they their Degrees before or after NS regime took full power.

It doesn't specify for all of them. However, considering the age and ranks of those leading the groups, I would say they achived them before the NSDAP came to power. Those that is does list achived their Doctorates just before or just after the party came to power. It should be noted, though, that most (if not all) were old members of the party. They joined in either the 1920s or early 1930s. Most were also WW1 vets.

__________________
There can be no bystanders in the battle for survival. Anyone who will not fight by your side is an enemy you must crush.

We are at war with forces too terrible to comprehend. We cannot afford mercy for any of its victims too weak to take the correct course. Mercy destroys us; it weakens us and saps our resolve. Put aside all such thoughts. They are not worthy of those in the service of country.

Just how far does Vladimir Putin's influence go?



FT.com / Comment & analysis - Observer: Crackdown

EUobserver.com

kanas, we all do respect.. We all know your country has suffered beyond believe this WWII ordeal fighting off Russian opressors.

Just --- amazingly, no one in EU gives a flying doughnat for your actually being on Nazi side? You just keep shut your swallow hole and pray EU doesn't find out your grand pa had been shooting jewish in a head in numbers whilst kissing Wermatch boot. In Russia btw, jews are holding major gov positions..God forbid they get to find out.

Thats Kremlin propoganda, that we were on Nazi side, we were only for our freedom, to us Stalin and Hitler were the same evil.

In Russia Anti-Semitism was always very big and now also in Russia Anti-Semitism is growing.
"Anti-Semitism alarms Russian Jews"

BBC NEWS | Europe | Anti-Semitism alarms Russian Jews

Well in the beginning of the Russian invasion many Russians thought Germany was going to liberate them. That is, until the Germans started the genocide in the conquered Russian areas, which was another one of Hitlers big mistakes which rallied more Russians against him.

What nonsence...You been there? No, really, where did you get yourself so screwed and loose without being forced hospitalised?

kanas - freedom from who? Germany, Russia, Poland? So, to maintain your freedom it was ok to join Hitler Waffen. Being under reich is freedom? Or, correct me, how else your wanted to keep independence and freedom?

kanas -- sorry -- what I just said is not right. I know your were seeking independence since the time immemorial. It just came that way that your people were cought in between conflicts.

In the beginning of the war casualties on the east front were low, you know why? Because many Russian divisions surrendered. They did not want to fight for their nation that so brutally oppressed its people.

The Germans held over 5 million Russian soldiers as prisoners of war.

To make things clear, I am not supportive of nazi ideology (at least not the parts including racism, genocide and war). These are facts.

Over 80% of them were killed by Germans in german camps.

__________________
Please watch this:


Shocking video of results of Georgian attack on South Osetia
CNN is spreading propaganda!
American witness: "Not only Georgia, but also U.S. are responsible for the violence in South Ossetia"
Mark Almond: It's simplistic to cast Russia as sole villain in South Ossetia clashes

I think its more like 60% but anyway its high yes. As I said this genocide was one of Hitlers mistakes which made his enemy stronger.

This theme is about Russia , not about Germany