IN THE SHADOW OF EINSATZGRUPPEN - IZABELA MAZANOWSKA, TOMASZ CERAN, MARCIN PRZEGIĘT

Discover the shocking truth about Selbstschutz, a formation that played a key role in the genocidal policies of Nazi Germany. This first Polish monograph sheds new light on the activities of this organization and its impact on the fate of thousands of innocent victims. Learn the story of the people who became a tool of terror and crime.

• First Polish monograph devoted to Selbstschutz.
• Comparative approach to the topic, showing the differences and similarities in the organization's activities in various regions of Poland.
• Detailed analysis of the role of Selbstschutz in the genocidal policies of Nazi Germany.
• Shocking accounts of the victims of German terror.
• In-depth study of the mechanisms of violence and dehumanization.
• Elaboration of the topic in a comparative approach.
• Showing the differences and similarities in action.

The book "In the Shadow of Einsatzgruppen" is the result of many years of research and analysis, which allowed for the creation of a comprehensive picture of Selbstschutz. The authors, Izabela Mazanowska, Tomasz Ceran and Marcin Przegięt, have reached previously unknown documents and testimonies of witnesses, which makes their work a valuable source of knowledge for all those interested in the history of World War II.

Selbstschutz, a paramilitary organization composed of ethnic Germans, became an important tool in the hands of the Nazis. Its members participated in mass murders, resettlements and the creation of labor camps. This monograph shows how members of a national minority were formed into murder squads that contributed to the deaths of thousands of innocent people.

This publication is not only an important historical document, but also a warning against the consequences of hatred and ideologies that lead to dehumanization and violence. It is a must-read for all those who want to understand the mechanisms of totalitarianism and its impact on the fate of individuals and entire nations. The book was published by IPN in 2021, has 448 pages and a hardcover binding in 249x177 mm format.

The authors also analyze the role of Selbstschutz in various regions of Poland, showing the differences and similarities in its operation. Thanks to this, the reader can better understand the specifics of the German occupation in individual parts of the country and the impact of Selbstschutz on local communities. This book is not only a history of crime, but also a story about people who resisted and fought for survival in the most difficult times.