National Content: Belgium
What do the defendants of Nuremberg think?
No one admits to be the wrecker of Germany.
| Source | “Vers l’Avenir”, N° 232, 27th November 1945, P 1. |
| Event referred to | 20th November 1945 : Beginning of Nuremberg Trial |
| Technological characteristics | Type of file: Image Extension : pdf Characteristics Dimension of the file: 1989 Ko Availability proposed: pdf document with zoom options |
| Description of the source | Kind of source: Newspaper article Origin of the source: Archive Language: French Copyright issues: full availability |
| Contextualisation of the source | « Vers l’Avenir » is a popular French-speaking newspaper in Belgium. Founded in 1918, this daily of the social catholic trend is edited in Namur. It belongs partly to the bishopric of Namur. This newspaper is read mostly by the middle class and the working class. In 1967, “Vers l’Avenir” was edited in almost 90.000 copies. (J. GOL, Le monde de la presse en Belgique, édition du Centre de Recherche et d’Information socio-politiques – CRISP- 1970) |
| Interpretation of the source | A week after the beginning of the Nuremberg Trial, this Catholic newspaper describes ironically the attitude of the accused, whose arguments can be classified in three categories : “war did not come within their responsibilities; or they were involved in the war but crimes were committed by special forces of the government; or else they had no choice : they had to obey or die”. The article also denounces the attitude of Germany towards USSR, in particular the “Barbarossa” plan. An incriminating memorandum makes known that Germany preparing to invade USSR was ready to starve millions persons to feed its military forces. Another document, signed by Hitler, foresaw that Romanians would assist the Reich army. |
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