Goltz Pasha III. [Conclusion]

This is coolbert:

"Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?" - - A. Hitler.

Hitler was an admirer of the military methods and techniques as employed by von der Goltz? Was aware of them and saw the actions of von der Goltz as worthy of emulation?

Certainly the sentiments of Hitler regarding the actions of von der Goltz in Belgium would seem to suggest that!

"The old Reich knew already how to act with firmness in the occupied areas."

[speaking here of the anti-partisan actions of von der Goltz during World War One [WW1]].

Colmar von der Goltz was also "involved" [WW1 of course] in the deportation/slaughter/massacre/genocide of the Armenian population of Turkey? A "guilt" by complicity?

"During the 1915 campaign against the Russians in eastern Anatolia German officers had recommended the selected deportation of Armenia populations, in case the Russian advance caused an 'uprising.'"

Keep in mind that the Turks during WW1 also fought the Russian Imperial Army. The area of "eastern Anatolia" did contain a large population of Armenians, who were "restive". Comprised a potential fifth column?

[the term fifth column would not have been used at the time! Was not popularized until the Spanish Civil War!]

"German officers had recommended the selected deportation of Armenia populations, in case the Russian advance [into eastern Anatolia] caused an 'uprising'. When Enver Pasha showed such orders to Goltz he [von der Goltz] approved of them on purely military grounds."

"on August 22, 1939, a few days prior to his invasion of Poland . . . Hitler is quoted as having stated, 'Thus, for the time being I have sent to the East only my Death’s Head units [SS men], with the order to kill without pity or mercy all men, women, and children of the Polish race or language. Who still talks nowadays of the extermination of the Armenians?’"

This comment of Hitler regarding the Armenians is highly disputed. Was admitted as evidence at the Nuremberg Trials. But is suspect in the eyes of some observers and researchers.

coolbert.