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Crossing Hitler by Benjamin Carter Hett – Hans Litten was a radical Berlin defence lawyer. In 1932, acting as a private prosecutor, he joined the government prosecution of SA storm troopers charged with attacking Communists at the Eden Dance Palace. Litten convinced the Court to summon Adolph Hitler to testify about the SA. Litten carefully crafted questions that challenged Hitler to reconcile the Nazi Party’s public proclamations of pursuing power only by legal means with the SA taking violent actions in the streets of Germany. Litten’s probing questions provoked Hitler into a profound rage. While Hitler escapes perjury charges he fully recognizes the danger Litten has been to his political goals. Most remarkably, Litten is only 29 years old. The title cleverly has a double meaning.
While the book features the questioning of Hitler it is mainly a biography of the complex Litten. He is the privileged son of an East Prussian Jewish law professor and an aristocratic mother. A rebel with a sour relationship with his father, he becomes a lawyer. In his career, as much from spite at his conventional father as from his idealism, he specializes in defending Communists. Litten is a true lone wolf who fits within no political party or religion. He is simultaneously drawn to his Jewish and Christian heritages.
With his large round glasses and portly frame he looks like a pure academic rather than a fierce fighter. Yet he is a fearless defence counsel who uses every strategy possible including deliberately provocative actions that upset the judicial establishment. His sole concerns are his clients. He is not interested in going along with accepted behavior.
Hitler never forgets Litten. Upon the Nazis rise to power Litten is immediately imprisoned. The unceasing efforts of his mother, Irmgard, to secure his release are moving. Using every connection inside and outside Germany she advocates for her son.
When, after 5 years in prison, Litten gives up and commits suicide I was reminded of the observation of Viktor Frankl, a concentration camp survivor, in Man’s Search for Meaning that in the camps to lose faith in the future was to die.
It is a well written book that is free from academic convolutions.
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Excerpts from Litten’s cross from the Cross-Examination Blog (Here is a link to the blog which has many other interesting cross-examinations http://wwwcrossx.blogspot.com/):
Q How is it possible that the Party publisher took over this text, which stands in clear contradiction to the party line?
At this point, Hitler was saved by the judge, who overruled the question and refused to allow any further inquiry.
Q Did you promise Reich Chancellor Bruning to dissolve the SA in the event of your joining the administration….show[ing] that you yourself saw the SA as something illegal.
A [Hitler now is extraordinarily excited] I insist that Bruning has not offered me any participation in his government…Dissolving the SA would mean for me the end of the Party…
Q In your opinion, what is the spirit of the Free Corps [another Nazi subgroup]?
A The Free Corps spirit lived in those who believed that a change in the fate of the German nation could be brought about through….physical strength….
Q Do you also include the notorious crimes and killings that were committed by the Free Corps as a part of this spirit?
A [Hitler now is outraged]. I refuse to acknowledge that that kind of thing happened. The Free Crops committed no killings. They defended Germany.
Litten certainly seems like an absolutely fascinating person, Bill And his questioning of Hitler is strong, or so it seems to me. As I read your post, and the actual questioning, I was thinking of how timely all of this still is...
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. I regret that Litten has remained so obscure. He was a legal martyr. The lawyers and judges that stood up for America after America's last election are modern day heroes.
DeleteFascinating stuff.
ReplyDeleteAnthony: Thanks for the comment. I am glad you found it fascinating. Sometimes what a lawyer thinks fascinating may not be so fascinating to the rest of the world.
DeleteThe Free Corps/Freikorps were precursors of the Nazis rather than a subgroup. They were extreme right wing groups, usually of ex-soldiers, usually antisemitic, who were responsible for many murders of their political rivals (most notably Rosa Luxemburg, Karl Liebknecht and Walter Rathenau) and attempted coups. Many of their members joined the Nazis when they appeared, of course.
ReplyDeleteUnknown: The reference to the Free Corps was in the transcript provided at the blog site.
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