Title: Nemesis at Potsdam – The Expulsion of the Germans from the East
Author: Alfred M. de Zayas
Year: 1989
Media Type: Book
Lending Status: Borrow
How Acquired: ZVA purchase for SGS
Review/Description: This is an account of the Allies’ complicity in the expulsion of Germans from captured territory at the close of World War II. It describes how factions within the US and British delegations wanted a severe result for the Germans “to teach them a lesson.” Some of these people advocated completely de-industrializing Germany and turning it into one huge farm. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and recognized that it was the harsh conditions imposed after World War I that led to World War II and that it would be counterproductive to go down that road again. Unfortunately, too many concessions had already been granted to the Soviet block concerning resettlement of ethnic Germans. Although some people raised their voices about inhumane treatment, the die had been cast and the Soviets implemented their plans without direct interference. There is some detail about events in Prussia and Poland, but very little detail about Banat.