6 - “What Should We Preach Now?”

Summary

Chapter 6 examines the period from 1944 to May 1945. How did chaplains deal with impending defeat? The chaos of retreat brought many challenges. Chaplains witnessed the death throes and killing frenzies of Hitler’s Germany, as atrocities continued to the bitter end. Chaplains ministered to the Wehrmacht amid the destruction of the Jews of Hungary, assault on civilians in the name of anti-partisan warfare, and death marches as concentration camps were shut and guards forced prisoners out onto the road. The physical demands of the chaplains’ work increased as their numbers dwindled and those left lacked supplies of all kinds. Newly created NSFOs, Nazi leadership officers, competed with them for soldiers’ hearts and minds. Yet chaplains found they were more valued in times of defeat. At the front they reminded soldiers of their oath of obedience, while they comforted bereaved families at home. Some Greek Orthodox chaplains were allowed to minister to Ukrainian Waffen-SS men in the Galicia Division. Yet even as chaplains continued to serve, they began quietly to disregard the regime’s will when it conflicted with institutional self-interest, e.g. in appointing new base chaplains.