Nationalsozialistische Judenverfolgung in Ostgalizien 1941-1944 : Organisation und Durchführung eines staatlichen Massenverbrechens

Chronicles the history of the Final Solution in Eastern Galicia (Western Ukraine): pogroms by Ukrainians in June 1941; massacres by the Einsatzgruppen throughout 1941; deportations to Bełżec in March-December 1942; more massacres after Belzec closed down. In the interim, Jews were partially ghettoized; those who were fit were sent to forced labor camps, where most died. Medical personnel and workers in essential industries were temporarily spared; there was a constant tug-of-war between employers and SS. By 1944, there remained only employees of the oil industry and Jews in hiding. Orders to annihilate the Jews came from Hitler and Himmler; the execution required the cooperation of the Sicherheitspolizei, Ordnungspolizei, Ukrainian gendarmes, and the civil administration. Its organization was chaotic; local commanders acted autonomously. As shootings took place in full view of the public, nearly everybody knew that the Jews were being murdered. Many approved of the aim but were revolted by the brutality of the means. Key positions were manned by fanatical Nazis; the lower ranks were motivated more by traditional prejudice against "Ostjuden", obedience to orders, group solidarity, and gradual habituation. Revision of the author's thesis, Universität München, Fakultät für Geschichts- und Kunstwissenschaften, 1994. 453 pages : map ; 23 cm.