The BOTCHED Executions Of The Nuremberg Trials 

Pierrepoint was a perfectionist and prided himself on the fact that no one hanged by him was alive after 15 seconds. The people in charge were aware of this and chose to put a novice in charge of the executions hoping he would make these men suffer before they died. For many survivors and the family's of the dead these men died too quickly.

Woods said in an interview, " I murdered those nazis" he was not qualified to be an executioner, but that being said I have no sympathy for those monsters , what few minutes of suffering they endured ,is nothing to the millions who suffered because of them and the thousands who were responsible, may they all roast in Hell

"IS HE DEAD YET?" "NO." "CUP OF TEA?" "AYE! GO ON THEN."

My father was a US soldier in WWII and was involved in the liberation of one of the death camps. He lived the rest of his life firmly believing these Nazi’s got off far too easy.

I'm also wondering how accidental those botched executions really were. But to be honest, I'm not all that broken up about it.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it all occurred on purpose.

So he was hired specifically because he had a history of botched executions. That's fascinating.

He was known to botch executions before this so I imagine whoever chose him to do these fully expected him to do the same to these subhumans. Unfortunately I can't feel any sympathy for Nazis executed by him but I have a lot for those who suffered by their actions.

If they're dead, then the executions weren't botched

Does anybody feel bad that these men suffered during their final moments? I mean... they literally are responsible for setting in motion the deadliest conflict in human history and the misery and pain they caused will never come to full realization. Way to go Gallow man, Woods !

When he said “Sometimes it’d take 10-20 minutes for them to die” I cracked a smile.

Those weren't botched executions, indeed the executions were far to humane.

I am German and am appalled by the crimes against humanity perpetrated by my forebears. Although some of the men executed had a " BOTCHED" execution their few moments of pain is nothing compared to what they inflicted on their victims. The monsters deserved the suffering they endured.

Of course these executions were botched on purpose! I have absolutely no sympathy whatsoever for these torturous murders and they didn't suffer enough in my opinion. What right does evil such as this have to a dignified death!!!

I'm glad to see murderous individuals get botched executions. Maybe that executioner knew what he was doing.

Actually, I like to think they worked quite wonderfully.

I have no sympathy for these horrid men. They got what they deserved.

Novice, poorly trained, bottom of the class executioners sounds like the perfect ones for this job to me

This is totally disturbing and unacceptable that there is no information given as to whether the people assisting actually got their well deserved promotions. They just leave us hanging.

There’s no such thing as a “botched” execution of a Nazis. The more cruel - the better.

Long excruciating death. Yeah, what's your point? The more brutal the better. Thank you John Woods.

I think that top dog hired Woods on purpose to make them suffer.

So Speer, an armaments minister who intimately collaborated with Himmler and used his slave labour, walked free after 20 years, yet Hess, who wasn't even present when gassings started and risked his own life to deliver peace proposals to the British, got life imprisonment, was kept entirely alone in Spandau prison and allegedly committed suicide while, by all accounts, being so infirm and decrepit that he couldn't even lift his arms above his head. The whole thing smells like absolute horse shit. I can't wrap my head around the fact that some, who were present throughout the war, were either released or imprisoned for 10-20 years, yet Hess, who was absent, had to endure such a harsh punishment.

as Battery Sergeant Major Williams said "Oh dear, how sad, never mind".......

In my opinion a botched execution is one where the condemned failed to die

I would have put the most incompetent officer in charge of the executions too. Sometimes you specifically don't want a job well done.

Those monsters strangled slowly instead of instantaneously dying? GEE, THAT'S TOUGH!!! They got off far too easily!!!

On what is the exact 75th anniversary of the executions, I thought this was worth posting. Much has been made of the theory that John C Woods deliberately botched the executions of the Nuremberg defendants which I don’t think stands up to scrutiny when the background to these executions is considered in some detail. When you consider just what these monsters were responsible for, the sheer number of deaths and untold suffering they had brought about, it is understandable that many would like to think these men got what they deserved - in fact many would argue that they suffered far less than so many of their victims, and that Woods was right to give these men a final piece of added retribution. But I’m not getting into the minefield of ethics, justice, revenge and accountability. The first decision that contributed to many of the executions appearing not to have been clean kills was the approach taken by the American military to carry out the executions using the standard drop method. This approach was not unusual or unique, and was used before and after by the American military in all their executions by hanging. A uniform drop of 6 feet given to all the defendants regardless of their physical build or weight, on a standard form of gallows whose construction and detail and procedural rules of operation had previously been drawn up by the American military, some time before the Nuremberg executions. (War Department Pamphlet No. 27-4 - Procedure for Military Executions issued 12 June 1944) The alternative preferred by the British, was the use of the measured drop - where the person to be executed was weighed the day before their execution, and a note was made of their physical characteristics, especially in regard to the musculature of the neck. This information was translated by reference to a Table of Drops to dictate the length of rope that should be given to produce a force of 1000 foot pounds to the condemned neck when they came to the end of the rope. This was quite a skilled, if somewhat macabre technique, the Table of Drops gave a general indication for guidance, but usually Albert Pierrepoint (British executioner) drawing on his considerable experience, would make a final adjustment to produce the desired result - not enough drop and the condemned strangles on the end of the rope, and too long a drop could result in decapitation. The British also dispensed with the traditional hangman’s knot and instead relied upon a brass eyelet with a rubber grommet to ensure the knot/eyelet stayed where it was placed. This arrangement appeared to be inherently more reliable, I suppose because of its simplicity. The noose was always placed under the left ear/jaw which ensured that the head was sharply thrown backwards (hyperextension) producing the typical hangman’s fracture which usually meant fracturing and separating the 2nd or 3rd vertebrae - which in more basic terms meant ripping apart the spinal cord, producing a massive shock to the central nervous system and sending the person into near instantaneous unconsciousness. Clinical death would usually follow approximately 15 to 20 minutes later when the autonomic nervous system finally fails (namely breathing and heartbeat) and death can then be pronounced. This was the reason that the condemned were left to hang on the end of the rope for at least 20 minutes ( a full hour in British civil executions) - even though their nervous system had been so comprehensively damaged, it took time for the autonomic nervous system to shut down. The three gallows, painted black (only two of which were used - the third being a spare) were built in the carpentry workshops in Landsberg prison and each was built in a demountable kit form, so they could be broken down and transported by trucks to Nuremberg and then erected in the gymnasium at the Palace of Justice. Woods and his colleagues were not responsible for the basic design of the gallows; they were just following the plans and regulations set out in the Procedure for Military Executions. In basic terms the platform was 10 foot above the floor, was 10-foot square (closed off with black canvas curtains) which concealed the death throes of the condemned from the assembled witnesses. There was a single leaf trapdoor, 3 foot square, a cross beam was sited 9 foot above the platform with a single eyelet for the attachment of the rope. (Each defendant got their own rope and after death had been pronounced by the attendant physicians, Woods and his colleagues cut the body down, leaving the severed rope and noose around the neck of each defendant. The remains of the rope were removed from the eyebolt and a new rope fitted to the eyelet in preparation for the next execution. It would appear that the authorities placed a certain significance on the rope being around the neck of the condemned - each was only allowed to make their final statement once the noose had been placed around their neck, and after all the executions had been completed and the bodies photographed (with clothes on), the nooses and severed ropes can still be seen around their necks. One can only wonder if when they were stripped naked and again photographed whether the ropes were removed at that time, and indeed if they were cremated with the ropes still about their necks as one final calculated indignity. Woods and his associates practiced disassembling and re-assembling each of the gallows in the workshop at Landsberg Prison, and would have tested their operation to ensure the program of executions would proceed according to the schedule. The design of the gallows, the use of the standard drop, the use of the hangman’s knot, and a question over placement of the knot of the noose, are all factors that would have led to some of the defendants suffering more protracted deaths than would have been produced had measured drops been used. It should be noted that Keitel and Frick who suffered bloodied injuries from the trapdoor hitting them on the head on their way through the trap, were both hanged from the second gallows. All the gallows were fitted with clips to hold the door open to prevent this, and for whatever reason, this featured appeared to fail on two occasions on those particular gallows - the others who met their deaths on gallows number two managed to avoid this additional injury, as did all those who met their death on gallows number one. After the executions were completed, the bodies were transported to Munich for cremation, and the three gallows were disassembled, packed on trucks and driven back to Landsberg prison where it appears they were all burnt. From the accounts by witnesses, certainly some defendants appeared to suffer protracted deaths (like Streicher who seems to have strangled to death), some reports state that Woods had to go behind the black canvas curtains and pull down on his body swinging on the end of the rope to quickly bring about an end to the groans and bring about his demise. From what I have read about Woods and his questionable service record, experience, attitudes and approach to his “work,” he doesn’t strike me as an individual that could be readily be associated with the pursuit of professionalism or competence. My opinion is that he viewed himself as having a job to do, and he and his colleagues proceeded with stringing their victims up in a pretty basic and perfunctory manner. Woods seemed less concerned about ensuring his victims met a quick death, and more concerned about indulging his ego and telling reporters repeatedly how much he enjoyed his work. I don’t think he was competent or intelligent enough to deliberately inflict even more suffering on the defendants - his casual attitude and the various issues with approach and equipment I have outlined above, instead saw to that. This is in marked contrast to the approach taken by Albert Pierrepoint who seemed to be the polar opposite by every measure, viewing the execution of his duties with a professional, dignified and clinical determination, who consistently dispensed clean kills to hundreds of people - no bloodied faces or the need to pull down on moaning victims that were obviously strangling to death, and very much kept his personal views about his “clients” to himself. Woods own end seemed a fitting epitaph - unlike most of his victims, he died instantly from accidental electrocution on the Pacific island of Eniwetok in 1950 while serving in an engineering unit. It appears that someone’s competence was again lacking, and this time it was Woods himself who paid the price for it.

I can't say I will waste any tears over these “botched executions.” What goes around...

I don't think anyone feels sympathy for these guys.

He knew exactly what he was doing, and good for him.

They say God has a way with dealing with those who are of great evil. Those were not botched executions but the wrath of God befalling these criminals.

These where not BOTCHED. Fate made them pay.

God forgive me, but it’s hard to feel sorry for these evil people...

You may call it a 'botched' execution. I never ever thought I'd say it, but, quite frankly, they deserved that and more. The saddest fact is hanging them doesn't even scratch the surface in terms of retribution needed. In all truth, I hope it hurt like hell.

"Execution" is defined as "the carrying out of a sentence of death on a condemned person". By that definition the executions went "swimmingly" because they all definitely died...👍

Forgive me if I don't feel bad for these animals.

You can't accidentally make the trapdoor too small and the rope too short. The manual was correct.

What they suffered was miniscule compared to the suffering they inflicted on others.

Let's be real, these animals deserved FAR worse then what they got. They should've been happy and thanked everyone for what they got.

I’ve got the world’s smallest violin and I’m playing it just for them

Albert Pierpoint was very professional in his job. I don't believe he botched one execution out of hundreds.

The suffering caused by these condemned men n women makes me think why are we so bothered they only suffered a fraction compared to there victim's thank you jonh c woods

John C Woods is one of those guys where you learn about his life story, look up his picture, and he looks exactly what you expected him to look like

Yes! I am thankful you have chosen to cover this!

Botched? They all died so it worked! So the trap door hit some of them in the head, after all the pain and suffering these people caused it's pretty hard to feel bad for them!

Hanging skills really dropped off after the age of the Wild West. They needed some old-time federal marshals to handle this.

So what you're saying is that everything went okay, considering the condemned and their crimes?

Once again, thank you for your hard work on your history channel..

Botched or not the end result was achieved. In this case the hell with dignity.

The executions don’t seemed botched when the first took 14 mins, the second took 24 mins and they continued on status quo.. all good, carry on 💯

British response: "Pip pip cherrio, next!"

You had one of these monsters even in the execution room scream out his devotion to Hitler. I have no sympathy for these monsters who were responsible for the deaths and suffering of a whole continent.

Albert Pierrepoint would have dispatched the whole lot in 30 minutes or less.

They weren't botched🤣. Their executioner knew exactly what he was doing and I thank him for doing it!

"Before he became a hangman, he had no experience of the role". 😂

Well that was definitely a feel-good story! Thanks for posting.

What makes you sure the “mistakes” were actually mistakes? Hatred by US forces of Germany was pretty intense after the war.

I’m sure they must have seen the funny side as they were dangling around after the drop, after all there is a German word for this type of humour “Schadenfreude”.

for all the suffering they caused death was a free ride for them, they should have been made to suffer.

It's a shame that many of them didn't really suffer

They couldn't have suffered enough for the souls that they destroyed. Justice ⚖️ was granted.

Those were properly executed. Slowly and painfully as it should be. Good job Mr. Woods.

Can’t claim to be too upset if the mass murderers suffered a little bit.

It's kind of strange that Woods would die by electrocution just a few years after. Woods did a great job making them suffer, they deserved no less.

Oh! dear.....How sad......Never mind.

Thanks for the video. It’s nice to know that these bastards went out slowly.

The only sad thing about the executions is that they can't be executed over and over again.

Thank you so much for this. I love history and your one of my favorite.

After what they did to millions, not sorry!

Another great video! I never grow tired of your content. Good job!

The small drop hole and swinging door were a nice touch.

Who says the executions were "botched"? One look at John Woods and his record tells you all you need to know and why he was selected. A good ol boy who liked his liqour. And guaranteed to foul up a job he didn't have the right experience for. (I wonder what his alcohol level was that night)

Woods is a legend... Well done

I just subscribed to this channel recently & I have to say that I've been impressed with the few videos I have seen so far, keep up the good work!

Hmm, sloppy executions ... or "accidentally on purpose" sloppy executions?

Why is it bad that they botched the executions, they should had fed the nazis to the lions

You look so young but have an amazing eloquent speaking voice... I seem to gravitate towards your channels and I am 65 and prefer your voice to some of the other people who only speak in there videos... hugs Lynn Weasenforth 💯💜💛💙☮️ stay safe from the pandemic madness we are all going through... keep up your wonderful work as even at 65 I'm still learning way more than anything I ever learned from highschool and college

I don’t think “botched” is right word for all of these condemned.

John Woods was the perfect man for the job, simple as that!

You say, “Botched”, I say most excellent.

No quick deaths for these evil, twisted slime? Sounds like a "Win" to me!

He was chosen for the job because he was given the green light from the Military to facilitate the "botched" executions. Whatever the reasons, those that were executed, had an easier death than those they sent to death.

I think they went out the easy way...! I personally would've make sure that they suffer the most pain and humiliation before they died.

Why would you want them to have a quick death? I don't see this as a problem

Sometimes Justice demands the ugliness of Vengeance. If Sgt. Woods pulled down Streicher's legs it was an act of Mercy.

botched ? who cares ? LOL

Our executioner (USA) lied about being one. He actually never hung anyone he watched someone die on old Sparky once in Texas when they hesitantly went with the chair over the high noon hanging. The executioner actually died shortly after the war because he lied about being an Electrician and attempted to wire a farmer in Nebraska cow field only to electrocute himself to death. All that being said I doubt anyone shed a tear of was overly concerned about "Botched" executions of these people.

They did the same with Saddam Hussein apparently - a pretty gruesome death 😐

The right ending for that lot. Well done.

I found this immensely gratifying! Jolly good!😊

Thank you so much for sharing with me an infamous fragment of the Hitler's Nazi horrendous regimen, via this document. It must be a very sad odyssey to recount it. The crimes and cruelties committed against my sons and daughters, my fathers and mothers, my brothers and sisters hurt me deeply, regardless their ethnicity and nationality. In Isaiah 2: 4, Jehovah God, the Creator and Source of life, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, promises: "He will be judge among the nations and will settle matters in relation to many peoples. They will turn their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. The nations will no longer raise their swords against each other and learn no more to wage war." My immediate neighbors are Jews and I am a Jehovah's Witness. Their hearts are superior than pure gold by far. They are extremely kind. The gentleman takes care of my trash can every Wednesday without my asking him to do so. They are lovely human beings, and they are not in need of the smallest improvement.

Their first choice for executioner was Curly Howard but they decided he would be less incompetent than this Woods guy.

They didn't suffer enough!

God chose a bumbling executioner to prolong their pain on earth. As above , so below.

They weren’t botched, they deliberately chose the worst hangman they had

Poetic bloody justice!

I heard the term "botched executions" many times, but as long as the condemned died, the execution was not botched.

Wow this is really sad those poor men got hit on the head by the door and the other ones who died slowly I'm sure the hearts of any of their surviving went out to these injustices to these poor killers...

Johnny did just fine! Let’s tip a glass to that gentleman!