Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra

Episode 3: Malmedy

Release Date: June 24, 2024
Host: Rachel Maddow, MSNBC

1. Introduction to the Malmedy Massacre

The Malmedy Massacre stands out as one of the most brutal and significant war crimes committed during World War II. Occurring on December 17, 1944, amidst the deadliest battle of the war for the U.S. Military—the Battle of the Bulge—this atrocity involved the execution of American prisoners of war (POWs) by Nazi SS forces in the Belgian town of Malmedy.

2. Detailed Account of the Massacre

Historian Stephen Remy provides a vivid recounting of the events:

Stephen Remy [01:07]: "German tanks and infantry had penetrated from 5 to 20 miles into the American lines... an offensive of such great proportions... cost us plenty."

On that fateful afternoon, a group of lightly armed American artillery observers found themselves ambushed by a Nazi SS Panzer unit. The ensuing brief firefight quickly turned disastrous as the Americans, outgunned and outnumbered, surrendered.

Remy [02:05]: "The German foot soldiers, working forward with tanks, disarmed the Americans and took them to an Open field."

Instead of taking the disarmed men into custody, the SS forces brutally executed them. Machine gun fire, followed by rifles, pistols, and even bayonets and rifle butts, were used to mercilessly kill the POWs, many while they were still alive and wounded.

Willis Everett [03:27]: "U.S. army autopsy reported that 84 had been killed... over half of them had been killed at close range."

3. Survivor Accounts and Media Coverage

Survivors, including deeply traumatized and wounded soldiers, provided harrowing testimonies to the American press mere hours after the massacre. These accounts were corroborated by physical evidence uncovered a month later when American troops returned to Malmedy, discovering 84 frozen and unburied corpses.

Willis Everett [03:46]: "Images of fallen American servicemen published during the war were incredibly rare... this was the most graphic display of victims of a massacre the American public had seen during the war."

The brutality of the massacre was etched into the American consciousness through graphic photos in Life magazine and headlines that highlighted the heinous nature of the crime.

4. The Trial of the Nazi Perpetrators

Determined to seek justice, the U.S. Military initiated a trial for the perpetrators at Dachau. The defendants, members of the notorious "Blowtorch Battalion," an SS unit infamous for its atrocities, were brought before a makeshift courtroom.

Stephen Remy [09:24]: "Above named defendants have been accused of participating in the shooting and torture of unarmed Allied nationals."

The prosecution's case was robust, built upon confessions obtained from the defendants during interrogation and detailed witness testimonies from American survivors.

Remy [13:00]: "Bolts told us about the shooting of the prisoners and about the fact that he fired his machine gun into those prisoners who were still alive in the field at the crossroads."

Despite the overwhelming evidence, the defense, led by U.S. Army Colonel Willis Everett, struggled to counter the convictions effectively. Ultimately, all defendants were found guilty, with 43 receiving death sentences.

Narrator [18:31]: "The trial lasted two months overall, and then it was done."

5. Willis Everett: Background and Motivations

Colonel Willis Everett, a Georgia lawyer with deep-seated prejudices, was thrust into the spotlight as the lead defense attorney. His personal biases, particularly his anti-Semitism, influenced his approach to the trial.

Everett [14:28]: "Willis Everett was shocked to find out that he would be the lead defense attorney in this very high visibility case... he thought it would be pointless to argue that these defendants hadn't done it."

His disdain extended beyond the courtroom. During his training at Columbia University, Everett exhibited overt racism, objecting to the presence of Black students and expressing discomfort with integrated facilities.

Everett [20:07]: "I couldn't stomach the toilet business."

6. Attempts to Reopen the Case and Spread of False Allegations

After the trial's conclusion, Everett refused to accept the loss. He initiated a petition claiming that the defendants were coerced into false confessions through abuse by American interrogators.

Everett [25:30]: "The interrogators had gone too far and the result was that the accused men had been coerced into signing false confessions."

Despite multiple reviews by the U.S. Army confirming the validity of the original trial and dismissing any claims of abuse, Everett persisted. His efforts coincided with the Nazi lawyer Rudolf Aschenauer's endeavors in Germany to undermine war crimes trials and foment Nazi resurgence.

Remy [35:00]: "They fought very hard to undermine war crimes trials."

Together, Everett and Aschenauer orchestrated a campaign to propagate unfounded and sensationalized allegations against the U.S. military, aiming to discredit the legitimacy of the Malmedy trial and, by extension, the principles of American justice.

7. Political Ramifications and the Rise of a Demagogue

Everett's false claims gained traction within certain factions of the American far-right, leading to political investigations into the Malmedy Massacre itself. These baseless allegations were exploited to attack American democracy and the rule of law.

Remy [44:00]: "He was not bound by the truth or by facts, quite willing to ruin the lives of people who got in his way."

One notable casualty of this political turmoil was Senator Lester Hunt, whose career and life were tragically cut short amidst the rising tensions fueled by Everett's propaganda.

Remy [45:04]: "It would propel one of the most damaging anti-democratic demagogues in U.S. history toward the peak of American power."

8. Conclusion and Ongoing Impact

The Malmedy Massacre and its subsequent trial became a pivotal moment not just in the immediate post-war period but also in shaping the contours of American political discourse. The collaboration between Everett and Aschenauer demonstrated how deeply ingrained prejudices and disinformation could threaten democratic institutions.

Remy [47:46]: "Let their punishment be adequate for their crimes."

As Rachel Maddow's "Ultra" continues to unravel these intricate historical threads, the legacy of the Malmedy Massacre serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy in the face of authoritarianism and propaganda.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Remy [01:07]: "German tanks and infantry had penetrated from 5 to 20 miles into the American lines... an offensive of such great proportions... cost us plenty."
• Willis Everett [03:27]: "U.S. army autopsy reported that 84 had been killed... over half of them had been killed at close range."
• Remy [09:24]: "Above named defendants have been accused of participating in the shooting and torture of unarmed Allied nationals."
• Everett [14:28]: "Willis Everett was shocked to find out that he would be the lead defense attorney in this very high visibility case... he thought it would be pointless to argue that these defendants hadn't done it."
• Everett [20:07]: "I couldn't stomach the toilet business."
• Remy [44:00]: "He was not bound by the truth or by facts, quite willing to ruin the lives of people who got in his way."
• Remy [45:04]: "It would propel one of the most damaging anti-democratic demagogues in U.S. history toward the peak of American power."
• Remy [47:46]: "Let their punishment be adequate for their crimes."

Further Reading:

Rachel Maddow recommends Stephen Remy's seminal work, Malmedy: The War Crimes Trial Controversy, as an essential resource for understanding the intricacies of the Malmedy trial and its lasting impact on history and politics.

For more insights and detailed explorations of pivotal historical events shaping current political landscapes, subscribe to MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free listening.