Summary 10 - The Einsatzgruppen (‘Special Groups’)

Question 1

How did the establishment of Einsatzgruppen mark a change in Nazi racial policy?

Answer 1

The aim of Nazi racial policy changed to mass murder.

Question 2

What was the role of Einsatzgruppen units?

Answer 2

Einsatzgruppen units were sent into Russia to eliminate Bolshevik- Jewish intelligentsia, Red Army commissars and communist officials.

Question 3

It is estimated that how many Soviet Jews were killed by Einsatzgruppen units in June and July 1941?

Answer 3

Up to 500,000

Question 4

What did Einsatzgruppen units consist of?

Answer 4

Einsatzgruppen units were temporary units which consisted of police and regular troops. They were often supported by police battalions of ordinary men that were conscripted into war service.

Question 5

Einsatzgruppen units were under the direction of which organisation?

Answer 5

The SS

Question 6

Where were Einsatzgruppen units used before their deployment in Russia?

Answer 6

They were used in Austria to seize and secure government buildings.
They were used in Poland in 1939 to kill Jews and officials.
They were also involved in forcing Jews into ghettos.

Question 7

By July 1941, how many men were in Einsatzgruppen units?

Answer 7

40,000

Question 8

Who were Einsatzgruppen units often supported by?

Answer 8

They were often supported by eager local volunteers.