I was researching more about Adolf Eichmann's capture, and discovered that the "murderous doctor" Josef Mengele was said to have almost been apprehended by the group capturing Eichmann. Mengele had moved from Argentina just two weeks before they began searching for Eichmann in Argentina. Mengele escaped capture for 34 years and was found in 1985 already buried (he died of drowning)— in 1992 DNA testing confirmed the corpse was of Mengele.
One way that Nazi war criminals (including Adolf Eichmann) were able to escape Germany was through Bishop Alois Hudal, who enrolled them in camp registers with false names. Although these papers were not sufficient passports, they could be used to obtain a displaced person passport from the International Committee of the Red Cross, which then allowed them to apply for visas and leave Europe. Bishop Hudal later spoke unashamedly about what he'd done. He said, "I thank God that He [allowed me] to visit and comfort many victims in their prisons and concentration camps and to help them escape with false identity papers." He also believed that "The Allies' War against Germany was not a crusade, but the rivalry of economic complexes for whose victory they had been fighting. This so-called business ... used catchwords like democracy, race, religious liberty and Christianity as a bait for the masses. All these experiences were the reason why I felt duty bound after 1945 to devote my whole charitable work mainly to former National Socialists and Fascists, especially to so-called 'war criminals'".
SOURCES: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Eichmann
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Mengele
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Search-for-Dr-Josef-Mengele
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratlines_(history)
In The Hunt for Adolf Eichmann, Gregory Peck mentioned that Catholic organizations such as the St. Raphael Association helped Nazi war criminals flee Europe by providing forged papers. Interestingly, the St. Raphael Association also set up an escape network for Jews. Pope Pius XII worked with the St. Raphael Association to create an underground network that provided fleeing Jews with money and passports. The St. Raphael Association had been operating and helping people emigrate since the late 19th century and through WWI. I find it interesting that the St. Raphael Association helped both Nazis and Jews. Perhaps, the society was motivated by an overarching ideological belief. In addition, the society had plenty of experience helping people escape and flee during past conflicts. Possibly, the St. Raphael Association did not question individuals who sought help and were primarily focused on helping those in need.
ReplyDeleteI am still wondering whether or not Bishop Hudal was a member of the St. Raphael Association.
Sources: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/node/16557