http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sat, 25 May 2013 05:07:50 +0200 Sat, 25 May 2013 05:07:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/former-nazi-seaside-resort-attracts-berlin-investors-a-901248.html#ref=rss The former Nazi vacation complex on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen has been largely derelict for years. But a Berlin investor wants to change that. His dream? Luxury apartments where Hitler's followers once frolicked. Fri, 24 May 2013 10:02:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/former-nazi-seaside-resort-attracts-berlin-investors-a-901248.html The former Nazi vacation complex on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen has been largely derelict for years. But a Berlin investor wants to change that. His dream? Luxury apartments where Hitler's followers once frolicked.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-lone-survivor-of-torpedoed-jewish-refugee-ship-struma-a-901490.html#ref=rss In 1942, a Soviet submarine in the Black Sea torpedoed and sank the <i>Struma, </i>a ship filled with almost 800 Jewish refugees headed from Romania to the Holy Land. David Stoliar, the lone survivor, agreed to share his story with SPIEGEL ONLINE. Thu, 23 May 2013 15:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-lone-survivor-of-torpedoed-jewish-refugee-ship-struma-a-901490.html Struma, a ship filled with almost 800 Jewish refugees headed from Romania to the Holy Land. David Stoliar, the lone survivor, agreed to share his story with SPIEGEL ONLINE.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-prosecutors-reject-case-of-ss-massacre-in-italy-a-901225.html#ref=rss The massacre at Sant'Anna was one of the most barbarous German crimes committed in Italy during World War II. Five suspected perpetrators are still alive today, but the top public prosecutor in Stuttgart has rejected reopening the case. Wed, 22 May 2013 17:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-prosecutors-reject-case-of-ss-massacre-in-italy-a-901225.html The massacre at Sant'Anna was one of the most barbarous German crimes committed in Italy during World War II. Five suspected perpetrators are still alive today, but the top public prosecutor in Stuttgart has rejected reopening the case. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-joseph-beuys-biography-discloses-ties-to-nazis-a-900509.html#ref=rss For decades, Joseph Beuys has been exalted as a heroic icon of postwar avant-garde German art. But a new biography accuses him of having been a serial liar who never completely emancipated himself from the views of Nazism and a bizarre cult. Fri, 17 May 2013 13:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-joseph-beuys-biography-discloses-ties-to-nazis-a-900509.html For decades, Joseph Beuys has been exalted as a heroic icon of postwar avant-garde German art. But a new biography accuses him of having been a serial liar who never completely emancipated himself from the views of Nazism and a bizarre cult.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/report-reveals-derrick-actor-horst-tappert-was-an-ss-member-a-896765.html#ref=rss He was known far beyond Germany's borders for his portrayal of Detective Chief Inspector Stephan Derrick on television. On Friday, information emerged suggesting actor Horst Tappert served as a member of the notorious Waffen-SS and hid the fact for years. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:55:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/report-reveals-derrick-actor-horst-tappert-was-an-ss-member-a-896765.html He was known far beyond Germany's borders for his portrayal of Detective Chief Inspector Stephan Derrick on television. On Friday, information emerged suggesting actor Horst Tappert served as a member of the notorious Waffen-SS and hid the fact for years. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-commemorates-70th-anniversary-of-warsaw-ghetto-uprising-a-895375.html#ref=rss Poland commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising on Friday, marking the day by bestowing honors on survivors and opening a new Jewish history museum. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:46:23 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-commemorates-70th-anniversary-of-warsaw-ghetto-uprising-a-895375.html Poland commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising on Friday, marking the day by bestowing honors on survivors and opening a new Jewish history museum. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/nazi-book-burning-anniversary-erich-kaestner-and-the-nazis-a-894845.html#ref=rss Nearly 80 years ago, Nazi supporters burned German author Erich Kästner's work as smut. Unlike other condemned writers, he showed up to watch, and refused to leave the country during WWII. But he paid a price for this, ultimately giving in to self-censorship from which he never truly recovered. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/nazi-book-burning-anniversary-erich-kaestner-and-the-nazis-a-894845.html Nearly 80 years ago, Nazi supporters burned German author Erich Kästner's work as smut. Unlike other condemned writers, he showed up to watch, and refused to leave the country during WWII. But he paid a price for this, ultimately giving in to self-censorship from which he never truly recovered.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/marianne-wellershoff-traces-complicated-world-war-ii-family-history-a-894667.html#ref=rss Her aunt was executed by the Nazis, her uncle was a far-right political leader and her father told her stories of nighttime battles on the Eastern Front. SPIEGEL's Marianne Wellershoff traces her family's complicated place in World War II history. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/marianne-wellershoff-traces-complicated-world-war-ii-family-history-a-894667.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/critical-report-could-reopen-case-of-1944-ss-massacre-in-italy-a-894027.html#ref=rss Last October, German prosecutors shelved an investigation of former SS soldiers suspected of participating in a 1944 massacre in Italy. A new report blasts investigators for ignoring potentially important clues -- and might prompt authorities to reopen the case. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:58:37 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/critical-report-could-reopen-case-of-1944-ss-massacre-in-italy-a-894027.html Last October, German prosecutors shelved an investigation of former SS soldiers suspected of participating in a 1944 massacre in Italy. A new report blasts investigators for ignoring potentially important clues -- and might prompt authorities to reopen the case.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/polish-weekly-puts-merkel-in-concentration-camp-over-tv-miniseries-a-893589.html#ref=rss The Polish media is angry over the portrayal of the country's World War II resistance fighters in a popular miniseries that aired recently in Germany. So angry, in fact, that a Polish weekly has put an image of Chancellor Merkel as a concentration camp prisoner on its cover and accused Germany of rewriting history. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:04:35 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/polish-weekly-puts-merkel-in-concentration-camp-over-tv-miniseries-a-893589.html The Polish media is angry over the portrayal of the country's World War II resistance fighters in a popular miniseries that aired recently in Germany. So angry, in fact, that a Polish weekly has put an image of Chancellor Merkel as a concentration camp prisoner on its cover and accused Germany of rewriting history.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greek-commission-concludes-germany-owes-billions-in-war-reparations-a-893084.html#ref=rss A top-secret report compiled at the behest of the Finance Ministry in Athens has come to the conclusion that Germany owes Greece billions in World War II reparations. The total could be enough to solve the country's debt problems, but the Greek government is wary of picking a fight with its paymaster. Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:18:15 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greek-commission-concludes-germany-owes-billions-in-war-reparations-a-893084.html A top-secret report compiled at the behest of the Finance Ministry in Athens has come to the conclusion that Germany owes Greece billions in World War II reparations. The total could be enough to solve the country's debt problems, but the Greek government is wary of picking a fight with its paymaster.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/hitler-food-taster-margot-woelk-speaks-about-her-memories-a-892097.html#ref=rss Each meal could have been her last, but Adolf Hitler's food taster Margot Wölk lived to tell her story. Forced to test the Nazi leader's meals for more than two years, the 95-year-old tells SPIEGEL ONLINE that she lived in constant fear. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:03:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/hitler-food-taster-margot-woelk-speaks-about-her-memories-a-892097.html Each meal could have been her last, but Adolf Hitler's food taster Margot Wölk lived to tell her story. Forced to test the Nazi leader's meals for more than two years, the 95-year-old tells SPIEGEL ONLINE that she lived in constant fear. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/reminiscences-of-a-german-world-war-ii-veteran-a-891462.html#ref=rss Heinz Otto Fausten, a German soldier who fought in World War II, saw things no one should ever have to see. After that, the high school teacher just concentrated on the future. But then his son started asking questions to find out whether he was a murderer. Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:18:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/reminiscences-of-a-german-world-war-ii-veteran-a-891462.html Heinz Otto Fausten, a German soldier who fought in World War II, saw things no one should ever have to see. After that, the high school teacher just concentrated on the future. But then his son started asking questions to find out whether he was a murderer. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/zdf-tv-miniseries-reopens-german-wounds-of-wwii-past-a-891332.html#ref=rss A miniseries that aired in Germany this month has enthralled viewers with its emotional portrayal of the role that average people played in WWII. Stripped of moral pretension, it also establishes a new, multigenerational milestone in the country's culture of remembrance. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:39:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/zdf-tv-miniseries-reopens-german-wounds-of-wwii-past-a-891332.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/survivor-and-psychoanalyst-reflects-on-german-wwii-trauma-a-891349.html#ref=rss The miniseries "Our Mothers, Our Fathers" has sparked widespread discussion in Germany about memories of WWII, both first-hand and inherited. In a SPIEGEL interview, war survivor and psychoanalyst Hartmut Radebold talks about guilt, war trauma and his own fraught memories of growing up in the Third Reich. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:19:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/survivor-and-psychoanalyst-reflects-on-german-wwii-trauma-a-891349.html The miniseries "Our Mothers, Our Fathers" has sparked widespread discussion in Germany about memories of WWII, both first-hand and inherited. In a SPIEGEL interview, war survivor and psychoanalyst Hartmut Radebold talks about guilt, war trauma and his own fraught memories of growing up in the Third Reich.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-votes-to-not-amend-pension-law-for-jewish-ghetto-laborers-a-890485.html#ref=rss On Thursday, the ruling parties in Germany's parliament blocked a measure to resolve the amount German pension funds must pay to former laborers in Nazi-era ghettos. Israeli officials are incensed and have promised to increase pressure. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:42:01 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-votes-to-not-amend-pension-law-for-jewish-ghetto-laborers-a-890485.html On Thursday, the ruling parties in Germany's parliament blocked a measure to resolve the amount German pension funds must pay to former laborers in Nazi-era ghettos. Israeli officials are incensed and have promised to increase pressure.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/israel-weighs-whether-to-honor-brother-of-leading-nazi-hermann-goering-a-887032.html#ref=rss Leading Nazi Hermann Göring was instrumental to Hitler's reign of terror, but research suggests his brother Albert saved the lives of dozens of Jews. Israel must now decide whether he deserves to be honored as one of the "Righteous Among the Nations." Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:27:56 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/israel-weighs-whether-to-honor-brother-of-leading-nazi-hermann-goering-a-887032.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-book-traces-the-rise-to-power-of-adolf-hitler-a-884568.html#ref=rss Historian Othmar Plöckinger argues that Adolf Hilter's time in the military facilitated his transformation into a murderous dictator. His new book traces how in the army Hilter acquired skills and an education that he would put to use during his later rise to power. Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:17:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-book-traces-the-rise-to-power-of-adolf-hitler-a-884568.html Historian Othmar Plöckinger argues that Adolf Hilter's time in the military facilitated his transformation into a murderous dictator. His new book traces how in the army Hilter acquired skills and an education that he would put to use during his later rise to power. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/archive-files-suggest-son-of-stalin-surrendered-to-invading-germans-a-883119.html#ref=rss For decades, some have suspected that Yakov Dzhugashvili, the oldest son of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, surrendered to invading German forces instead of being captured. Files in a Russian archive now suggest that the suspicions might be warranted. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:27:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/archive-files-suggest-son-of-stalin-surrendered-to-invading-germans-a-883119.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-german-prosecutor-looks-for-those-behind-nazi-era-massacre-in-france-a-881019.html#ref=rss A German prosecutor is involved in a race against time as he searches for enough proof to bring charges against former SS troops responsible for the gruesome World War II massacre in the French village Oradour-sur-Glane. Proving the utterance of a single quote might be enough. Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:11:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-german-prosecutor-looks-for-those-behind-nazi-era-massacre-in-france-a-881019.html A German prosecutor is involved in a race against time as he searches for enough proof to bring charges against former SS troops responsible for the gruesome World War II massacre in the French village Oradour-sur-Glane. Proving the utterance of a single quote might be enough.]]>