Witness History Prosecuting Nazis at the Nuremberg Trials
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Nov 12, 2025 Benjamin Ferencz, a veteran US Army prosecutor and chief prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials, shares gripping insights into one of history's most significant legal actions against Nazis. He discusses his emotional experiences confronting the horrors of concentration camps and the meticulous process of uncovering evidence of mass murder by the Einsatzgruppen. Ferencz reflects on his legal preparations, the trial's gripping opening, and the powerful plea for justice over vengeance that shaped international criminal law.
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From Soldier To Nuremberg Prosecutor
- Benjamin Ferencz described being 25 and then 27 when he became a chief prosecutor at Nuremberg and later led the Einsatzgruppen case.
- He recounted gathering camp records, seeing indescribable horrors, and discovering daily reports proving mass murder which led to a new trial.
Allied Split Over Trials
- The British were initially reluctant to pursue trials, preferring political solutions, while the Americans pushed for legal proceedings.
- That disagreement delayed but did not prevent the creation of the first international military tribunal and subsequent trials.
Collecting Records Amidst Camp Horror
- Ferencz described entering concentration camps with liberating forces and collecting records from the Schreibstube to document inmates and deaths.
- He said his mind coped by pretending not to see the full horror and creating an artificial reel to endure it.