On 2010-03-25, John wrote:
Errr... and who were they? Certainly Hitler, and his party were
elected with sufficient votes to be the largest party in the coalition
government, he kick started the economy, created jobs through
government spending, re-structured the military, recovered German
territory that had been taken away after WW I, and pulled the country
out of a depression that was far worse then the recent financial
debacle in the U.S. (In fact rather similar to some claims made for
O'Bama).

I am not very well read on the German economy prior to WWII.

I believe that there were a few factors that helped Germany achieve full
employment and improve economy. One was renouncing reparations
payments. Another was increased military production. One more was
recovery of the world economy.

I think that if you investigate you will discover that, firstly, the
"underground" was, in terms of population insignificant, generally
ineffective, either communist or acting out of self-interest, i.e.,
the Generals, who had no interest in changing any of the underlying
factors but wished to replace Hitler in an attempt to pacify the
Allies so that an armistice could be negotiated, and generally had no
effect on the outcome of the war.

The majority of those who wanted to"save the nation" didn't appear
until after the defeat in 1945. Take a look at the political
background of the police chiefs, mayors, and all other government
officials appointed by the Allies to run the country after the
surrender. Nearly all were members of the Nazi party, or had served
under the Nazi government. Why? Because they supported the
government.

That's right. There was next to no opposition to Hitler, which was
partly helped by his effective secret police, but also, Hitler was
supported by the public opinion.

The more convenient after war narrative of Germans was that Hitler was
an usurper (partly true) and led unwilling Germans on to committing
crimes that they did not support (not true in my opinion). I believe
that to be a myth.

For example, 101st police battalion was formed out of very ordinary
people (not some indoctrinated youngsters) and was sent to exterminate
remaining Jews in Poland. Only one person realized that what they were
doing was morally wrong and refused to continue. He suffered
essentially no repercussions, but no one else followed his lead.

i