Excerpt

For several moments, this went on, uninterrupted by Himmler until a blond man appeared and was about to be thrown in.

“Stop.” Himmler raised his hand.

The Einsatzgruppen men, who already had their hands on the man to toss him in, stopped and held tight to the prisoner, but listened to the order.

Himmler moved from his spot and walked over to the man. Wolff and Hans followed.

When Himmler stood inches away from the prisoner—who had light blond hair and blue eyes—he asked, “Are you a Jew?”

Hans titled his head in confusion at the question. Wolff noticed this and whispered into Hans’ ear, “The Reichsführer will sometimes spare some if they appear Aryan and have limited Jewish ancestors.”

Hans turned his attention back to the prisoner and Himmler. The man with blond hair looked at his would-be savior with confusion, no doubt caused by Himmler’s sudden interest in his heritage.

“Yes,” he finally replied.

“Are both of your parents Jews?”

Still wearing a look of profound confusion, the man again replied slowly, “Yes.”

“Do you have any ancestors who were not Jews?” Himmler seemed to become frustrated.

“No, I do not.”

Himmler shook his head. “Then I can’t help you.”