De-nazification in French-occupied south west Germany

Jürgen Klöckler

The practice of "auto-épuration" in Baden and Württemberg-Hohenzollern

Immediately after the occupation of south west Germany by the first French army the administrative elites (mayors and district administrators) were largely replaced by  unimpeachable figures. In many cities antifascist organisations were formed whose advice was gladly taken by the French occupying forces, but which were given no authority whatsoever. Instead the French military government attempted to install the practice of “auto-épuration”. The National Socialists were to be ostracised by the German people's self-cleansing.

But the practice failed due to time constraints as well as structural and individual shortcomings. In response to Allied pressure the practice of Spruchkammern was adopted, which developed into a “factory for identifying supporters”. The upshot was that those people who were unjustly punished by the administrative practice were portrayed as victims and granted excessive leniency compared to those who appeared before the Spruchkammern.