Executions in the Third Reich 

So I was an HR director in a pie factory in England and until recently the factory had its own butchery where beef chuck was trimmed by a team of butchers. The smell of iron in the butchery was cloyingly strong. It coated the back of your nose and throat for hours afterwards. I can only imagine what it would have been like in one of the execution chambers on a day when they were beheading over 20 condemned prisoners in the space of an hour or so. There would have been no way of disguising the smell of blood, certainly not after the second or third execution, the device would have no time to dry between wash downs. Even with the curtains these particular days would have been exceptionally nasty for those after the first execution. Furthermore, anyone who has butchered raw meat before or even carved roast beef knows that a blade needs to be sharpened frequently to maintain its edge, raw flesh blunts it quickly. Even with a hardened steel blade on a fallbeil by about head 10 or so the blade would be significantly less sharp. Mind you with 30 kg or so behind it could probably be as blunt as you like. The Maiden, the early beheading machines in the Scottish Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh has a 35kg lead weight that comes down from about 9ft. The blade of the axe is straight with no angle to it. The blunt force trauma would he enough to do the job... nasty stuff. But I can't get the smell of iron out of my nostrils!

The amount of research you put into these videos; the hours of editing; the facts you present ... just incredible. It does not go unnoticed, and we, the viewers of your channel, are very grateful. Cheers from a freezing Minnesota, USA.

This is a very dark and hidden topic, meticulously researched and well presented. Congratulations on your excellent work! More! More!

Those who watched Sophie Scholl walked to her death were unnerved by how calm she was

The way that you present these videos is perfect. You present the facts in a very factual way, without any personal opinions. You have made me a fan. Keep it going

This is a very heavy subject personally, where I don't have the mental strength to watch this video right now because my father was a "death row inmate" waiting to be guillotined in Nazi Germany during WWII. To cut to the chase my father was in the Polish underground in Breslau-Germany which today is known as Wroclaw-Poland as the Germans lost their eastern borders to Poland after WWII. My father's involvement in the Polish underground ("psychological warfare" such as misinformation, propaganda, etc to undermine German confidence in the Nazis) meant that his WWII "underground" activities were also "criminal activities" in relation to Germany's laws at the time. . Perhaps a less known fact was that the Polish underground in Germany (behind enemy lines) needed to finance itself with "criminal activities" such as counterfeiting money, forging documents to commit fraud, etc, etc. So my father's undoing was that he was arrested by the Gestapo for presenting a "forged ration coupon" (which he forged himself) to a German shopkeeper who reported him to the Gestapo. . The Gestapo did not uncover that my father was associated with the Polish underground (which would have been fatal) and treated him as a "common criminal" where he was given a "fair trial". The outcome of the trial was that my father was found guilty of "fraud" for counterfeiting ration coupons and handed the death sentence (guillotining). . So for some my father spent time on "death row" waiting for his head to be cut off. Given my father was born in 1923 he was 18-19 years old at the time of his sentencing, so I suspect that there was some leniency shown where his death sentence was later commuted to a long prison sentence in "Rawicz Prison" (A prison for over 200 years... under the Nazis, under the communists and used today... www.sw.gov.pl/jednostka/zaklad-karny-w-rawiczu ). . So while my father was lucky to have his death sentence commuted he still went through hell, culminating in a "death march" and the final six months in a full-on concentration camp which was liberated by the USA military towards the end of the war, so you could hardly describe him as "lucky". . I was very close to my father, so I had a very good understanding on the subject of guillotining by the Nazis. Trying to make sense of it all I even conducted my own research into the subject and if this RU-vid video hasn't pointed out it needs to be said that during WWII that the Nazis guillotined more people than the French did during the entire French Revolution to put things into perspective. . I'll avoid watching this RU-vid video for now because as the son of a death row inmate waiting to be guillotined who later survived a concentration camp that the horrors are too close and personal. One thing I am certainly an authority on is the "post traumatic stress disorders" associated by with someone who has been through the experience. . I have every intention to watch this RU-vid video, but not today, only because the subject matter is too close to heart and often upsets me because it explains why my father was the way he was. If you watch this video, then imagine what your father or mother would be like after they came out the other end "alive" after the horrors shown in this video.

Excellent presentation of a very difficult topic. It was done with such dignity and genuine insight.

Wonderfully done documentary Ivo. A really rather gruesome and sad topic. One that nonetheless needs to be exposed and examined. And you have done that quite well indeed. Thank you for your work and art.

Thank you for the upload! I find this subject matter fascinating. Prior to this I haven't managed to find much about this topic.

I am in love with your videos they are awesome. Your voice is perfect for these documentaries and the content is great.

Aside from the anticipation of it, the guillotine was probably quicker and less painful than even the latest forms of execution.

Well done. As a lifelong student of World Wars I and II, you've presented much information that's hard to find. Thank you.

In a previous comment I described how my father was on death row in Breslau awaiting execution (guillotining) where the sentence was later commuted to a term in maximum security prison in Rawicz-Poland for 3 years before the advancing Soviet front line forced the Nazis to relocate the prisoners to other facilities in January 1945 before the end of the war. . My father told me that hanging executions were scheduled in Rawicz Prison for Saturday mornings while the entire prison population was locked in their cells because there was concerns that the prisoners would riot over the executions.

Its amazing how they posed by the instruments of death. Nothing like that Kodak moment next to a guilotine

The hiring process reminds me of my experience as a gravedigger in Australia. The requirements were for the applicant to be no less than 25 years old and a farming or agricultural background was preferred due to the work with earthmoving equipment. Upper body strength was an advantage for hammering in the grave timbers down as far as two plus metres. The real issue was professionalism and the ability to mind ones self in the presence of those grieving the loss of a loved one. A job may sound easy but some require more tact and sensitivity than others.

Fine piece of research & beautifully presented. Work of this quality is a credit to RU-vid. Subscribed.

Very well done and extremely informative production!

it amazes me how many thuds I hear during these amateur recordings, people's homes, workplaces etc are so badly insulated these days. That is no reflection on the content otherwise which was very saddening and well presented

excellent and extremely accurate, well presented and researched history. Well done.. You definitely need more subscribers!

Fantastically well researched, but also very well-presented! Many people are terrified of any form of public speaking, so your speaking with such clarity and conviction (irrespective of the six different pronunciations of reich) is commendable. As to the methods- many countries have of course concerned themselves with finding the most ‘humane’ method of dispatch. The British carefully drew up drop tables on the right length of rope to hang a condemned person of a given height and weight, and expected a hangman to finish his work within a minute- the record was seven seconds. On the flip side e, others like Foucault argued against these “humane” methods and supported the firing squad or other punishments, to keep the state and judiciary from hiding the violence of a death penalty from themselves. Yet here, the consideration of *aesthetics* comes into play- the hand-axe is a wholesome German tradition, a symbol of the community- the hemlock cup a theatrical Wagnerian flourish that most legal systems would find laughable. But it is, of course, a perfectly heroic-looking way for a National Socialist to die- or kill. I am still trying to work out how best to explain what I see as a hollowness within fascism’s conceptions about history and tradition papered over by a fanatical devotion to the aesthetics and performance of “tradition”. But this insane discussion of how to kill in the aesthetically correct way does a good job of saying with implications what I can’t find words for out loud.

This was excellent in presentation and knowledge. I look forward to hearing more of your work. Fantastic job.

I saw a guillotine used by the Nazis in the Museum of German History in East Berlin In 1969. I twas not like the guillotines shown in the video. It was a very modern unit made completely of steel with a winding handle attached to gears with an aircraft cable going up to the blade. It looked more like a medical device that you would see in a hospital rather than an instrument of death.

Freisler was a monster and died far too easily. The video was not easy to watch, but well made.

What happens if you are unfortunate enough to be born in the wrong time and the wrong place.

I once read a story about one of the offical executioners who forgot to bring his formal clothing for a days work at the prison and had to do his job in normal street clothes. He was highly criticized by the prison staff and almost lost his job.

Very well put together, terrifying stuff

Excellent work, and a lovely speaking voice as well! 😊

Currently reading the book from Thomas Waltenbacher; this is a fantastic summary - well done.

I remember ages ago a saw a book about the war and Germany and on one of the pages was a guillotine and next to it a large wash basin stacked with human heads. This was the first time I realised that that the guillotine was used in executions in Germany.

Outstanding. I can not believe you don't have more followers. I think you will.

a dark grim tale indeed, so well researched and informative I knew next to nothing about the German execution laws and method of execution, Thank you as always, in a word superb,subscribed.

Here in Sweden, the hand axe was used as the main execution method from the 17th century up until 1910 when the guillotine (swe: fallbila. ger: fallbeil) was used for the first and only time. Hangings, which had been the most used method towards common people since the Middle Ages, was abolished in the 1830s.

The last picture shows the Plotzensee execution room where those who tried to kill Hitler the victims were strung up using piano wire and then hung from the hooks which was a very slow, painful process . Hitler had it filmed and took great delight in watching the agonies of the condemned. What a creep?

An excellent presentation, but I must point out the recording level is far too low. I could barely hear it, and had to read the captions instead.

Despite the subject being grim, what you present here are some very pertinent ideas and fundamental principles in regards to the power of the state over its citizen's bodies, more precisely taking its citizens lives, and why. "Discipline and punish" by Foucault describes a lot of the themes presented here in broader terms, and I imagine that this documentary has a couple of toes in this work. Maybe I'm mistaken - regardless, this is excellent stuff.

Thank you for this interesting document, indeed👍

I was unfamiliar with the use of the guillotine in Nazi Germany, and I always thought I was pretty well read on crime and punishment in the Third Reich. I knew that hanging was the primary form of execution, at least in the army. General Ferdinand Schorner was particularly fond of hanging deserters with a placard around their neck saying, "I have refused to defend German women and children, and therefore forfeit my life". And of course those accused of participating in the July 20th plot on Hitler's life were singled out for special punishment of being hung by thin piano wire hung from a meat hook. That affair was recorded for Hitler's viewing pleasure.

Exquisitely put together... And I can listen to your voice forever.

The Nazi State Executioner was never charged as technically he never broke the law.

Excellent presentation thanks xxx

Somehow I just found this channel, and I am glad that I did, because the content here is great! 💯😀👏👍

Interesting video on a macabre subject!

Very good job, thanks for uploading. I visited the Neuengamme concentration camp. The delinquents were hanged there. Women were mostly hanged in the "Arrestbunker" and not in public

This was a FANTASTIC Documentary!!! Well narrated, well researched and kept my attention from start to finish. Reminded me of the golden days of The History Channel before they would have said "now I surmise that the Nazi's used ancient alien technology for their executions".😂

That poor kid, just wanting to be with his family. It pains me to see kids suffering. It is sad that some of the people got away with it after the war but for the most part most died for their crimes.

very good bit of history well explained

excellent work

Nice presentation. You’ve obviously done your homework. Subbed.

At 15-20 when the countries who had the death penalty were listed, Great Britain and America were strangely left out yet Japan was listed. It's a fact that America used the gas chamber as a means of execution back in the 1920's, long before the Nazis. Most people consider that the electric chair produced some of the most horrific legal executions and that's obviously American. West Germany abolished the death penalty in 1949 long before most other countries yet America still has it in 2022.

Fascinating. Your English is Superb.

Good research and horribly disturbing !

I'm a new subscriber. Great different content. For me at least the volume is a a bit low. I am a new listener. Thanks

Interesting and intriguing

Same as Stalin and NKVD. Beria-Himmler same thing.

This is a REALLY good video. About time someone pointed out that even average Germans were at the mercy of what may well be the ultimate repressive and tyrannical state. Well thought out and factually presented. Got a sub on the strength of it. Oh, and this is real "legion of the damned stuff".

My interest in executions started when I lived in Florida and saw how the floridians reacted to the electrocution of Ted Bundy. 10 years later I returned to Denmark and worked as a truck driver and had a lot of customers in Berlin. One of them was located right next to Plötzensee and it was a trip.

Very good narration. Although there is a slight accent, the voice strikes the right tone and is very pleasant. Important given the gravity of the subject matter.

What a beautiful and calming voice talking about such a horrible subject!

Impressive research, well done although slightly biased. Unfortunately, the Germans condemned to death at the Nuremberg trials did not have access to a quick death, John C. Woods, the American hangman was so incompetent, Joachim von Ribbentrop for example hanged for 26 minutes before finally expiring. As to the millions of German civilians who died after the end of the war, the favorite allied method of execution was death by hunger and of course, no trials were conducted for these mostly innocent victims, the JCS 1067 plan took care of that.

I can't imagine that the prisoners ordered to build them would've figure out what they were making at some point. What else could a contraption that looks like that possibly be used for?

Brilliant video

To be perfectly honest here, if I was to be executed, and had a choice of how to due, then I would definitely choose the guillotine as my way to die. While the guillotine is bloody and gruesome, it’s also lightning fast. In the US the average lethal injection execution takes nearly 10 minutes to complete. I’d much rather be guillotined in a fraction of a second than suffer a 10 minute lethal injection! Shooting and hanging can also be botched. The guillotine is never botched, and always works flawlessly.

Great presentation, please bump up the audio volume.

At Wisconsin Dells they have a torture museum. I wasn't surprised to see that the majority were "invented" in Germany.

Very informative video. Modulation was OK on my phone.

Very interesting indeed

Early on, the hinge board was removed in order to speed up the process of execution.

Thank you for covering this subject that has not really been covered before. I would like to suggest two possible subject for the future that I have not heard anyone cover before. 1. The use of chaplains in the WWII German Military and the internal conflicts it caused with them. 2.Did The Germany treat/respect the cemeteries from WWI of the U.S., U.K. etc when France was occupied? Was professional curtesy honored for soldiers of other nations and their gravesites? If so, was this extended to the graves with Jewish gravestones?

Good job.

Maybe a video about "justice" practices in People's Republic countries, satellites of the greatest freedom spreader, the Soviet Union? How much more humane it was?

This is very good, but I'm having a hard time hearing you miss. Please talk a little bit louder next time. Thank you.❤

Excellent work. One slight correction. The last executions in West Germany took place in June 1951 under Allied auspices (American) when seven war criminals were hanged at Landsberg Prison.

This video was so quiet I could only her it on maximum volume. Just intended to be helpful.

Very well done. I had always assumed the Nazis would have been cruel in their application of the death penalty. It is interesting to learn that they took steps to lessen the fear and trauma that a prisoner would experience up until the moment of death. Of course, this was often just to make the whole process easier on the executioner and their aides. Regardless, it was still a revelation. The story of the young Pole was quite sad, especially the drawing of the horse on his final letter. One can imagine his former employer (although master might be more appropriate) taking great joy in his death for a minor offence. So sad...

the audio is terrible. I can't hear whatever is being narrated.

Volume is extremely bad on this video!

Es wäre besser gewesen, die „Hinrichter“ wären hingerichtet worden, nicht meist unschuldige Menschen, die absoluter Willkür ausgesetzt waren!

PERKELE!!!! Why did you use the image of Finnish soldiers 7:07

I am curious about your background. Do you have a website ?

Yet another well researched, detailed documentary. My only grievance would be that the sound of the narration is pretty low and I have to max the volume to hear it clearly.

Can't hear! Always check audio

Around 09.00 min there´s a picture of some soldiers which are 1939-1945 Finnish military servicemen that had nothing to do with the reich.

A very informative video.

Sophie Scholl could be a great topic for another video! 😊

Take this with a very sharp grain of salt, but I look forwards to watching this piece. - I'll give my fairest opinion then of such a dance with the macabre.

Your profile pic and the subject matter in the video reminds me of a song called "Hitler" by Eek-a-Mouse

What are the red symbols flashing in between segments??

A guy I know had a french book from 1946 containing pictures of german execution metods , it was full of horrofic pictures of gullotining single or more at the same time , pictures from Gas Chambers when the door was opened right after cyklon b (bought in usa) was injekted all in all a terrible book to look in .

Great presentation but I question the commonly held belief that beheading is painless. It's more humane compared to older, medieval methods of execution but the bar isn't set very high when you're comparing it against burning at the stake, the breaking wheel or drawing and quartering. Look up 'lucid decapitation' and you'll see what I mean. The brain will have enough oxygen to retain consciousness for 3-5 seconds which isn't very long but who knows if perception of time may be stretched to make it seem much longer.

The pic shown at 7:10 is NOT German BUT Finnish troops. Otherwise an excellent production!

TURN UP THE VOLUME

Seems to me the German guillotine was lacking in refinement A 4 inch steel bar across the neck with a suction mechanism fitted to the neck with a pneumatic hammer to drive the bar down 4 inches would be fast and no mess Tho no mess drop the condemned into a box surrounding the head clamp an upper seal on it and fill with water not as fast but very quick and zero blood

Superbly narrated.... Could listen to you read a phone book.. These videos should be compulsory education...

Excellent video but had to wear earphones🎧 to hear it, far too quiet.

Turn up the volume pleeeeeeze

Boy, do we need a similar criminal justice system in this day and age

TBH I never heard of this hemlock cup. How does that work?

AWESOMES 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

Sophie Scholl

Sophie Scholl was so brave her hangman never forgot her