www.holocaust-history.org/himmler-poznan/himmler-poznan-small.mov
Heinrich Himmler's Speech at Poznan (Posen)
"we're eliminating the Jews,
exterminating them,
ha!, a small matter."
On October 4, 1943, Reischsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler gave a speech to a secret
meeting of SS officers, in Poznan, Poland. In this speech, he spoke frankly
about the ongoing extermination of the Jewish people.
This is one of the most chilling documents of the Holocaust.
What you are hearing
To understand what Himmler is saying in this five and a half minutes, it may
help to read a quick outline of his meaning. This paraphrase may perhaps be too
colloquial, but the structure may aid understanding:
A. I will talk openly about difficult secrets
1. The "Night of the Long Knives" (June 30) was difficult too
2. But we naturally knew to keep it secret
3. Everyone knew his duty
B. The "Jewish evacuation" is the extermination of the Jews
C. Some take it too lightly
1. Some want to make exceptions for "good Jews"
2. They have not witnessed the killing and the corpses
3. We've seen it, we're strong, it is our secret glory
D. The Jews would cripple Germany, so this is important
1. The Jews betrayed us in the First World War
E. The Jewish riches are all for the State
1. We (individuals) do not take them
2. A few have, and they have been executed
3. Anyone who does, will be executed
4. We have a duty to kill, but no right to profit
5. Jewish riches would infect us
6. We do this for love of Germany, not for personal gain
7. So we remain strong and pure
