Norman Ohler, author of 'Blitzed' and 'Tripped,' shares eye-opening insights into the German military's use of methamphetamine during World War II. He details how Pervitin fueled the Blitzkrieg, contrasting it with outdated tactics like the French reliance on red wine. The conversation dives into the dark side of Hitler's drug dependency and the broader implications of stimulants on soldiers' performance and health. Ohler also discusses the moral complexities behind these wartime practices, unveiling chilling anecdotes and historical lessons.
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Blitzed: Meth & Blitzkrieg
Norman Ohler's book "Blitzed" explores the German military's use of Pervitin during WWII.
This methamphetamine use is linked to the Blitzkrieg strategy and its impact on the war.
insights INSIGHT
Mindset & Drug Use
The Germans used methamphetamines for enhanced performance, while the French used red wine, reflecting outdated WWI strategies.
This difference in mindset contributed to the German victory in the Western campaign of 1940.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Blitzkrieg's Impact
Blitzkrieg's speed and violence of action surprised everyone, and its success was partly due to its unexpected nature.
The opposing side didn't understand the new kind of warfare they faced.
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In 'Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich', Norman Ohler delves into the unregulated and pervasive use of drugs in Nazi Germany. Despite the Nazis' public stance against drugs, the regime heavily relied on pharmaceuticals to sustain its military and leadership. The book details how methamphetamines, under the brand name Pervitin, were used to keep soldiers awake during long campaigns, and how Adolf Hitler became increasingly dependent on a cocktail of drugs administered by his personal physician, Dr. Theodor Morell. Ohler's research, drawing from archival sources and primary documents, provides a new perspective on the Third Reich and the role of drugs in its military and political operations[2][4][6].
How did methamphetamines fuel the Blitzkrieg and shape World War II? Join us as we uncover the startling revelations from Norman Ohler, author of "Blitzed," fresh from his impactful appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast. Norman provides a fascinating exploration of the German military's extensive use of Pervitin, a methamphetamine, during their rapid and aggressive campaigns. We contrast this with the outdated French strategies and their reliance on red wine, painting a vivid picture of how stimulants altered the course of warfare.
Dive deeper into the widespread adoption of stimulants across various military forces. Listen to gripping anecdotes about the British endorsement of amphetamines by Churchill and the ongoing use of legal stimulants in modern special units. We discuss the critical balance between substance-induced performance and the essential need for rest and recovery, shedding light on the long-term impacts these practices have on soldiers' health and effectiveness.
Finally, discover the darker side of the Nazi regime's drug culture. We explore Hitler's dependency on various drugs administered by Dr. Theodor Morell and the pervasive use of stimulants within the Luftwaffe and Navy. Norman's insights from his recent visit to Granch Village offer new perspectives on Blitzkrieg strategies and the OODA loop, enriching our understanding of military history. This episode is a compelling blend of historical analysis, military strategy, and the human cost of war, promising to leave you both informed and intrigued.
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