SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
Reblog
Friday, November 13, 2015
We were up early and were at breakfast by 7:15. We were to have a very busy day this day.
We arrived at Nuremberg at 9:00 a.m. and we began the World War 2 tour. We visited Zeppelin Field, the Congress Hall, Documentation House, and the Memorium Nuremberg Trials.
The Zeppelin Field was where many of the Nazi rallies was held. It was not as large as we had expected. The buildings had been reduced to just a few, and the center building had sported the Swastika that was blasted off after the war (famous picture of that event).
Every few yards along the perimeter, there was a building. When the guide asked if we knew what they were, many in the group suggest one thing or another. He said, “it’s really very simple.” When I said, “restrooms,” he said, “that’s right.” With the 250,000 people assembled, they had to have facilities for them. (These two pictures were taken by me and cropped)
We visited the Documentation House, which is attached to the Congress Hall.
The Congress Hall was built at Hitler’s demand, and was to be used only for one time each year. When Hitler was asked how all these buildings would be paid for, he replied that, after they won the war, they would get the money from those Germany conquered. The Congress Hall was built in the shape that was to duplicate the Roman Coliseum. The Documentation House held many photos and memorabilia from the Nazi era.
We sat in the courtroom where the Nuremberg Trials were held in the Palace of Justice. Fascinating room, with large placards holding pictures and notes about the trials.
Lots of information was given – through the placards as well as our knowledgeable guide. He mentioned Robert H. Jackson, who President Truman appointed as U.S. Chief of Counsel for the prosecution of Nazi war criminals. He made some outstanding statements (courtesy Wikipedia):
Closing Argument for Conviction of Nazi War Criminals
Robert H. Jackson, U.S. chief of counsel for the prosecution of Nazi war criminals
An advocate can be confronted with few more formidable tasks than to select his closing arguments where there is great disparity between his appropriate time and his available material. In eight months – a short time as state trials go – we have introduced evidence which embraces as vast and varied a panorama of events as has ever been compressed within the framework of a litigation. It is impossible in summation to do more than outline with bold strokes the vitals of this trial’s made and melancholy record, which will live as the historical text of the Twentieth Century’s shame and depravity.
Nuremberg Prosecutor (1945-1946) Speeches
One of the most famous statements he made was:
“The true applicant before the bar of this court is civilization.”
Strategies of the American Chief Prosecutor Robert H. Jackson
It all had a profound impact upon us.
~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
Old Things R New 