Battleground 317. The Ratline: Nazi Fugitives and Their Evasion of Justice
Aug 21, 2025
Dive into the chilling world of ratlines, the escape routes that helped Nazi officials flee post-WWII. Discover the controversial role of the Catholic Church in harboring these war criminals, with ties to anti-communist regimes in South America. Unearth the dark legacy of Croatian fascist leader Ante Pavelic and his elusive escape. Delve into the complexities of justice for Nazi fugitives and the moral dilemmas surrounding their capture. Plus, get a glimpse of upcoming literary projects exploring 20th-century conflicts!
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Chaos And Scale Enabled Escapes
- Post-war chaos and scale made prosecuting every war criminal impractical and helped many escape.
- Patrick Bishop highlights that overwhelmed authorities and huge numbers of suspects created gaps the fugitives exploited.
Clergy Played Mixed Roles
- Many Catholic clergy and other unlikely actors assisted Nazi fugitives despite counterexamples of clergy who resisted.
- Patrick Bishop stresses the role of individual sympathizers rather than an institutional endorsement by the Church.
Estimated Numbers And Destinations
- Around 9,000 Nazis and collaborators likely escaped, chiefly to Argentina, Brazil and Chile.
- Saul David gives rough figures: ~5,000 to Argentina, ~2,000 to Brazil and ~1,000 to Chile.
