“Some information and observations of recent date have led me to draw up plans that I would like to bring to your attention. This concerns Jehovah’s Witnesses....How are we going to govern and pacify Russia when...we will have conquered vast areas of its territory?...All forms of religion and the pacifist sects must be supported...among all the others the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is well-known that the latter have characteristics incredibly positive for us: Apart from the fact that they refuse military service and anything to do with war...they are incredibly reliable, do not drink, do not smoke; they are relentless workers and of rare honesty. For them the spoken word stands. These are ideal characteristics...enviable qualities.”
— Heinrich Himmler

Annotation

In one of his letters to Gestapo chief Ernst Kaltenbrunner, July 21, 1944 cited in Awake! magazine, 1993, 4/22, article: What Hope for an End to War?

Tagged: Jehovah's Witnesses, Russia, World War II, Nazi Germany
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