Crimes
The widely-publicized killings and rapes in places like Nemmersdorf by the Soviets led to a severe degree of fear in the entire German population of East Prussia. Even enslaved Soviet women liberated by Soviet troops were often raped by Soviet soldiers. Beevor argues that these acts of violence were motivated by a desire for revenge and retribution for crimes committed by the Nazis during their invasion of Soviet Union.
War reporter Vasily Grossman said that the rear-guard units of the advancing Soviet armies were usually responsible for a large number of the crimes committed by Red Army personnel. Wealthy civilians of East Prussia were often shot by Soviet soldiers, their goods stolen, and their houses set on fire, as a result of Soviet propaganda advocating the eradication of the aristocracy. Soviet Officers like Lev Kopelev, who tried to prevent crimes, were accused of mercy with the enemy and became Gulag prisoners.
Read more about this topic: Evacuation Of East Prussia
Famous quotes containing the word crimes:
“When you are younger you get blamed for crimes you never committed and when you’re older you begin to get credit for virtues you never possessed. It evens itself out.”
—I.F. (Isidor Feinstein)
“Therefore with idle hands and head I sit
In late December before the fire’s daze
Punished by crimes of which I would be quit.”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)
“Of all crimes the worst
Is to steal the glory
From the great and brave,
Even more accursed
Than to rob the grave.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)