ctment, which will “stand out as a model of simplicity and directness” (Foust). The prisoners barely followed the proceedings, since they had already received the text in German thirty days prior, and had plenty of time to read it in the solitude of their cells. The reporter for The Manchester Guardian described it like this; “[The prisoners] might as well been attending business conventions” (Opening). The courtroom held an unreal, surreal atmosphere of shocked silence at the staggering totals and horrifying facts, that was broken up only by the vulgar laugh of Hans Frank (McLaughlin). Only three of the prisoners were in uniforms, and were completely stripped of their badges and insignia. There was little in the their demeanor and appearance to suggest that they were on trial for their lives, and they didn’t seem to comprehend the vast size of the charges against them: “The charge of having planned, initiated, and waged wars of aggression, as well as having determined upon and practiced mass murder, extermination, enslavement and deportation of civilian populations both before and during the war” (Namier). The prisoners were essentially being charged with the weight of 20,000,000 deaths. At points in the indictment, individuals were named in connection with these crimes. Of the militarists and politicians, all except Goering fidgeted. Goering only shook his head vigorously in agreement or disagreement to the various charges (Foust).“Germany’s crimes were far greater than any can define of any law can adequately punish” (Namier). Surely nothing, not a guilty plea or an execution or an apology of incredible sincerity can make up for the great loss and sorrow of World War II. The Execution of millions of civilized people and the memories of those who survived will undoubtedly leave a scar on the shared conscious of all humankind forever.The indictment was read to the end, and th...
