Oswald Pohl Quotes

8 Sourced Quotes

I don't hold it against the men who beat me because undoubtedly there are some ruffians of every nationality and the English are not exceptions.

Oswald Pohl
I accept responsibility for the camps, but as far as measures against the Jews, I had nothing to do with them. Those orders came from the RSHA. Himmler sent orders to Kaltenbrunner, who transmitted them to Mueller of the Gestapo, and the latter had the entire extermination program under him. That was the way all of Himmler's orders went. I did not participate in the murder of the Jews.

Oswald Pohl
Well, it was war - I could not have carried on as an administrative officer if I had let myself be swayed emotionally by my feelings.

Oswald Pohl
I would have left all the Jews in Germany, but put them on an alien status, under alien law, and naturally closed them out of jobs like doctor or lawyer. But why execute them? In that way, strong Jewish influence would have been cast aside and there would be no need for atrocities. Whenever we would have discussions in our own circle, I would mention my solution, whereupon Himmler would say to me, 'Pohl, you are too soft.' Therefore, I did my best to keep out of the whole final solution of the Jewish problem.

Oswald Pohl
I had eleven main concentration camps under my command. From these eleven camps, internees were sent to other so-called labor camps. That was my job. I had nothing to do with the final solution of the Jews. That was an act done by camp personnel such as the commandants. Of course, the center of all those orders for the extermination of the Jews was Mueller of the Gestapo, who received his orders from Kaltenbrunner, who carried out the plans of Himmler.

Oswald Pohl
I can only be responsible for my orders. I cannot be responsible for all the acts of Himmler.

Oswald Pohl
What can I say? If I knew in 1934 what I know now, I would have remained in the navy. I didn't know that this was going to happen and I didn't know that Germany was going to lose the war and be in ruins.

Oswald Pohl
I assumed that some of the gold bars I received were melted gold teeth.

Oswald Pohl