AboutMichael FitzGerald Expertise I am an expert in German history between 1918 and 1945, particularly with regard to the Nazi era. I am also very knowledgeable about most areas of philosophy (I have an honours degree in the subject) and am able to answer questions on that subject too. In addition, I am very knowledgeable about poetry. One of my hobbies is also politics, mainly British and European though I follow the US political scene as well. Another one is the history of crime and punishment and British social history (the two often overlap!) I am willing to answer questions on all the above issues.
Experience Author of two published works, 'Storm Troopers of Satan,' an account of the lunatic fringes of Nazi ideology, and 'Adolf Hitler: A Portrait,' a biography of the German dictator. 'Adolf Hitler' was published in July 2006 by the top history publisher Spellmount and was named historical biography of the month by the Good Book Guide. I correspond with Ian Kershaw, Peter Stachura, Jeremy Noakes, Roger Moorhouse and Stan Lauryssens. I have undertaken research for radio, television, newspapers and magazines
Organizations Society of Authors
Education/Credentials I have an Honours degree in philosophy.
Awards and Honors LT prize for poetry
Historical Biography of the month, Good Book Guide
Question How many people died during the Nazi Holocaust?
Answer Dear Linda,
Thank you for your question. It is rather difficult to give a precise answer to this question as it largely depends on what you mean by the Holocaust. For instance, the deliberate murder of mental patients, alcoholics and people with congenital defects began as early as 1933 and was conducted with extreme brutality throughout the life of the regime. It accounted, at the most conservative estimate, for the lives of over 300,000 people. Again, partly through deliberate murder, partly through exhaustion and malnutrition, partly through cruel treament, the Poles lost 25% of their people. The casualties on the Soviet side, not simply those killed in action, ran into millions. As for the gypsies, figures range from as low as 25,000 to as high as a million. My personal researches have led me to believe that the true figure is around 750,000 gypsy deaths. With regard to the Jews, the conventional figure is always given as 6 million, but it has been suggested that it is nearer 7 or even 8 million. There is comparatively little in the way of hard facts, as the Nazis tried to keep the death camps quiet, but an SS report to Himmler in 1943 claimed that by that time 2.4 million Jews had been 'liquidated,' as they put it. Once again, my own researches have led me to believe that the true figure of Jewish victims is in the region of four and a half million. Murder is not made any more excusable because a few less lives may have been lost than was once thought. In the words of the German poet Erich Fried, 'Who bids lower?'
Thank you so much for your question. I do believe it is essential to keep the truth about the Holocaust fresh in the memory of humanity.
