Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra - Season 2, Episode 3: "Malmedy"

Release Date: November 26, 2024

Introduction

In this gripping episode of "Rachel Maddow Presents," host Rachel Maddow delves deep into the harrowing events surrounding the Malmedy Massacre during World War II and the subsequent war crimes trial that not only sought justice but also ignited profound political repercussions in post-war America. This episode, titled "Malmedy," uncovers the intricate web of betrayal, prejudice, and conspiracy that emerged from one of the war's most brutal chapters.

The Malmedy Massacre: A Brutal Prelude

The episode begins by setting the stage in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium amid the Battle of the Bulge, one of the deadliest confrontations for U.S. forces. On December 17, 1944, a group of American soldiers stationed in Malmedy were ambushed by a Nazi SS Panzer unit.

Historian Stephen Remy explains, "It's day one of what will be a six-week-long battle, the deadliest battle of the whole war for the US Military" (01:21). The American troops, primarily lightly armed artillery observers, were swiftly overwhelmed and forced to surrender after a brief firefight.

However, instead of being treated as prisoners of war, the Nazis committed a heinous atrocity. Historian or War Correspondent recounts, "The Germans lined the Americans up in rows in the field... but then, instead of taking the Americans into custody, these unarmed men... just opened fire" (02:39).

Willis Everett, a U.S. Army lawyer present at the scene, provides a chilling firsthand account:

“They accepted the surrender of the Americans. They gathered them in a field, and then they executed nearly all of them.” (03:13)

An autopsy revealed that 84 American soldiers were brutally killed, with over half of the victims dying at close range through bullets, bayonets, or blunt instruments. Historian Stephen Remy notes,

"The LA Times headline days later was just gut-wrenching: 'Nazis Murdered Yanks then stomped on their faces.'" (03:46)

Reactions and Media Coverage

As American troops regained control of Malmedy in mid-January 1945, they uncovered the frozen, unburied corpses of the slain soldiers. These grisly discoveries were extensively covered in the press, with Life Magazine publishing some of the most graphic images of war atrocities ever seen by the American public. Willis Everett emphasizes the rarity and impact of these images:

"Images of fallen American servicemen published during the war were incredibly rare. It was the most graphic display of victims of a massacre that the American public had seen during the war." (07:01)

The massacre not only shocked the nation but also galvanized public opinion against the Nazis. Historian Stephen Remy asserts:

"The Malmedy Massacre stood out. This wasn't combat. This was a crime that not only cost American lives, it left behind American survivors as witnesses." (07:20)

The War Crimes Trial: Seeking Justice

In the wake of the massacre, a military court was convened at Dachau, Germany, to try 74 German SS soldiers accused of committing war crimes. Historian or War Correspondent details the gravity of the proceedings:

"Each of us wondered what defense we could make for these 74 accused." (09:40)

Willis Everett was appointed as the lead defense attorney, a role he approached with a mix of determination and prejudice. Despite acknowledging the defendants' confessions, Everett sought to undermine the legitimacy of the trial. Historian Stephen Remy explains:

"Willis Everett knew that it would be pointless to argue that these crimes hadn't happened. Everybody knew that the crime had happened." (14:08)

The prosecution presented compelling evidence, including detailed testimonies from American survivors and the defendants' own confessions. The trial concluded with a unanimous guilty verdict. Historian Stephen Remy summarizes:

"All of them were found guilty. No acquittals. The lightest sentences were between 10 and 20 years in prison. Most of the Malmedy defendants, 43 of the Nazis who were put on trial were sentenced to death." (18:31)

Willis Everett: From Defense to Conspiracy

Despite the clear evidence and his role in the prosecution's downfall, Willis Everett was not satisfied. Deeply prejudiced and harboring anti-Semitic views, Everett believed that the war crimes trial was sabotaged by a Jewish conspiracy aimed at revenge. Historian Stephen Remy reveals:

"Willis Everett was an anti-Semite. He became convinced that the whole investigation and the whole trial had been corrupt and corrupted mainly by Jews." (22:59)

Everett's frustrations led him to fabricate claims of abuse and coercion during the trial. In private, he expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the confessions, despite knowing they were false. Historian Stephen Remy states:

"Everett decided to go to superior officers to report what he had heard. But the claims were not true... the trials proceeded fairly." (16:33)

Undeterred by multiple army reviews that confirmed the trial's integrity, Everett sought to manipulate public opinion. He collaborated with Rudolf Aschenauer, a former Nazi lawyer dedicated to defending war criminals. Together, they orchestrated a campaign to discredit the Malmedy trial, spreading outrageous and unfounded allegations of torture inflicted by Jewish investigators.

Political Fallout and the Rise of Demagoguery

The false narratives propagated by Everett and Aschenauer found fertile ground in a post-war America grappling with its own internal conflicts. Historian Stephen Remy highlights the political manipulation that ensued:

"This would infect American politics in a way that would ultimately cost at least one US Senator his life." (44:55)

Everett's campaign not only aimed to exonerate his Nazi clients but also sought to undermine the broader principles of the American rule of law and democracy. His relentless pursuit of discrediting the trial contributed to the rise of anti-democratic forces within the U.S., setting the stage for significant political turmoil.

Conclusion

"Malmedy" serves as a powerful examination of how prejudice and conspiracy theories can distort justice and influence political landscapes. Rachel Maddow successfully unpacks the complexities of the Malmedy Massacre, the ensuing trial, and the subsequent attempts to rewrite history for personal and ideological gains. This episode not only sheds light on a dark chapter of World War II but also offers a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities of democratic institutions to manipulation and hatred.

Notable Quotes:

• Willis Everett (03:13):

  “They accepted the surrender of the Americans. They gathered them in a field, and then they executed nearly all of them.”

• Willis Everett (05:13):

  “The ones who survived and played dead had to listen in many cases to the sounds of their fellow GIs being executed. In some cases, really, really brutally.”

• Historian Stephen Remy (22:59):

  "Willis Everett was an anti-Semite. He became convinced that the whole investigation and the whole trial had been corrupt and corrupted mainly by Jews."

• Willis Everett (24:13):

  “This was baseless. There was absolutely no truth to any of it.”

• Historian Stephen Remy (37:05):

  "This had been Rudolf Aschenauer's argument in court and, and in public and in the press. The Nazis had done nothing wrong, at least nothing any more wrong than any other country."

Further Resources

For an in-depth exploration, Rachel Maddow highly recommends Stephen Remy's seminal book, "Malmedy: The War Crimes Trial Controversy," which provides comprehensive insights into the trial and its lasting impact on American and German societies.

To learn more about the series, visit msnbc.com/ultra.

This episode was written by Rachel Maddow, Mike Jarvitz, and Kelsey Desiderio, with executive production by Mike Jarvitz and Rachel Maddow. Special thanks to Stephen Remy for his invaluable contributions.