Hitler & the Third Reich: XVIII - Misc. Part 4 Quiz

Answer: A squad of Jews that had to do special tasks in the extermination camps.

The Sonderkommandos were small squads of Jews that were selected to do the dirty work within the extermination camps in return for better living conditions. Their duties included leading fellow Jews to the gas chambers, removing the bodies from the gas chambers, removing the valuables from the bodies and then disposing of the bodies into the crematoriums.

Their lives however, were generally short, as they themselves would become victims of the killings. After about four months the Nazis would usually execute them because they didn't want any witnesses to the crimes being committed. A new group of male Jews would then be selected to fill the vacant positions. However, at Auschwitz some of the men in the Sonderkommando were kept on because of their expertise and survived till liberation. One of the best known Sonderkommando survivors is Filip Müller, whose memoirs appeared in 1979.

The term Sonderkommando also referred (to a lesser extent) to special units of the SS that took part in political and policing roles within the occupied eastern countries.

The mobile extermination units were called Einsatzgruppen.

Answer: A movie made by Goebbels to rival 'Gone with the Wind'.

"Kolberg" was a film made in 1944 by order of Goebbels.

It was the last film to be made in Nazi Germany, and it was the most expensive film made by the Nazis.

The story line centred on the Napoleonic Wars, and the gallant Prussians defending against the attacking French army. (Kolberg, Pomerania withstood a French siege from March-July, 1807. The burghers fought alongside the Prussian army while Ferdinand von Schill's Freikorps harassed the besieging French forces).

Entire army units were withdrawn from service to act as extras in the production and ammunition factories were ordered to create blank ammo. The premiere was scheduled for 30 January, 1945.

Answer: He gave it to Magda Goebbels prior to his suicide.

The Golden Party Badge was a circular badge with a gold wreath around the outside. In the centre of the badge was the black swastika symbol surrounded by a red circle that contained the words: "National-Sozialistische-D.A.P." in gold writing. It came in two sizes, 25mm and 30mm. Non-party members could receive the badge at the discretion of Hitler. They were stamped with "AH" on the reverse.

Hitler's badge was endorsed with number '1' on the reverse.

When Hitler handed Magda Goebbels his badge she claimed that it was, "The greatest honour any German could receive". She was handed the badge in recognition of being the "Greatest Mother in the Reich".

Answer: The Day of the Seizure of Power.

The Day of the Seizure of Power was celebrated on January 30.

Hitler's birthday was 20 April.

The National Labour Day was celebrated on May 1.

The National Day of Mourning was held on March 16. After 1933 it was renamed to 'Heroes' Remembrance Day'.

Other important events/holidays were: Foundation Day of the NSDAP, Mothering Sunday (Mothers' day), Day of the Summer Solstice, the Nuremberg Rallies and the Anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch.

Answer: They were all Luftwaffe aces with more than 250 "kills".

Erich Hartmann was the highest scorer, with 352 kills. His last victory was on 8 May 1945.

Answer: False

The Iron Front was an anti-Nazi group, made up of a selection of political parties opposed to the Nazis. It was created in 1932, but it did not develop into an effective political force.

Hitler and Ernst Rohm were members of Mailed Fist, or Eiserne Faust, a paramilitary organisation. Hitler made associations and acquaintances with fellow members of Eiserne Faust who were also involved with the German Workers Party.

Answer: 1974

The magazine was released bi-monthly and caused controversy. The German Federal Government was worried that the magazine would create interest in neo-Nazi activities. Those that opposed the magazine claimed that the contents glorified the Nazi era, instead of condemning that period of time. The forty-eight page magazine sold for $1.10 a copy.

Das Dritte Reich was also the name of a book written in 1923 by Arthur Moeller van den Bruck.
After the failure of the Munich Beer Hall Putsch, Moeller van den Bruck wrote the following quote about Hitler, "There are many things that can be said against Hitler, and I have sometimes said them. But one thing you have to give him credit for: he is a fanatic for Germany. But he is wrecked by his proletarian primitive ways. He does not know how to give an intellectual basis to his Nazi party. Hitler is all passion, but lacks sense or proportion. A heroic tenor, not a hero."

Answer: 1000-1500

The film industry managed to create 1,363 feature films. All films and news reels had to be sanctioned by the Propaganda Ministry prior to public viewing.

Answer: A group of German guerrilla soldiers set up in the final days of WWII.

The Werewolves (also known as Werwolves) were led by SS-Obergruppenführer Hans Prützmann. Their role was to operate behind the enemy lines, similar to the special forces of today's armies, to create diversions and mayhem.

When Karl Doenitz took over the role of Führer of Germany, he disbanded the Werewolves.

Answer: true

A weird coincidence perhaps, but a true fact. Her father had gold mines in the little town that was located in Ontario, Canada.

During World War II the Canadian Government attempted to change the name of the town to Winston, but the townsfolk resisted the change.