Hitler‘s Bastards

Summary: <p>CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains some graphic depictions of war and civilian casualties.</p> <p>"Treason" is a funny word: it carries with it such a strong stigma that it can sometimes feel like a true curse when deployed. This is likely because of the consequences facing anyone charged with such a crime (i.e., one of the only crimes apart from murder that can be met with a death sentence, at least in the United States). And yet, despite it being so serious, we still occasionally hear it said regarding people whose crimes, all things considered, sometimes only amount to not supporting a war effort.</p> <p>In this episode of History Impossible, we're going to look at some people who were--rightly or wrongly--accused, sometimes convicted, and even sentenced to death for treason during the Second World War. Their individual convictions and beliefs ranged wildly and yet often converged, and yet none of them ever fired a shot at their own countrymen, despite putting on the uniforms of their countrymen's sworn enemies. Some of these men hated Jews, some hated communists, some hated war, and most just wanted to get out of their abysmal prison conditions and cavort with pretty German girls while avoiding combat. Little did they know the plans the Nazis who approved of their organization and where they were going to be sent or what firestorm they eventually would live through.</p> <p>This is the story of the Englishmen who some might call Hitler's Bastards.</p> <p>History Impossible has been made possible by the following generous supporters on Patreon and PayPal:</p> <ul> <li>Elias Borota</li> <li>Charles C</li> <li>Matthew Dakus</li> <li>Nathan Diehl</li> <li>Gavin Edwards</li> <li>Kevin Gony</li> <li>Nathan Grote</li> <li>Peter Hauck</li> <li>Devin Hreha</li> <li>Mike Kalnins</li> <li>Benjamin Lee</li> <li>Trevor Lindborg</li> <li>Mounty of Madness</li> <li>Jose Martinez</li> <li>Mike Mayleben</li> <li>Pete McAloney</li> <li>Judy McCoid</li> <li>Monica</li> <li>Kostas Moros</li> <li>Ryan Mortenson</li> <li>Ben Mullen</li> <li>Skip Pacheco</li> <li>Molly Pan</li> <li>Jean Peters</li> <li>Edmund Plamowski</li> <li>Brian Pritzl</li> <li>PJ Rader</li> <li>Gleb Radutsky</li> <li>Aleksandr Rakitin</li> <li>Eugene Rosso</li> <li>Aria Saeidi</li> <li>Jon Andre Saether</li> <li>Alison Salo</li> <li>Sam</li> <li>Emily Schmidt</li> <li>Julian Schmidt</li> <li>Cameron Smith</li> <li>Brian Steggeman</li> <li>Jared Cole Temple</li> <li>Steve Uhler</li> <li>Ricky Worthey</li> <li>F. You</li> </ul>