PDF Summary:Blitzed, by Norman Ohler

Norman Ohler's Blitzed examines the large-scale substance use in Nazi Germany, contending that methamphetamine played a key role in the early successes of the Nazis and their rapid military advances across Europe.

The book delves into the prevalence of hard drugs in Germany before World War II, and how the Nazis paradoxically decried drug use while endorsing the distribution of methamphetamine, branded as Pervitin, to troops for enhancing performance. Ohler also explores the drug regimen of Hitler himself, administered by his personal physician Theodor Morell, and how it may have impacted decision-making as the war progressed.

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The narrative in the book depicts the effects of Pervitin on combatants during military engagements. Ohler recounts instances where tank operators advanced through enemy territory for extended periods without stopping, drivers embarked on long-distance travels, and foot soldiers launched bold attacks. The entire first division of armored vehicles underwent repositioning throughout the pivotal timeframe spanning May 10th to May 11th. Soldiers often obtained the substance by taking it out of their own field caps' storage or by receiving it from their medical personnel. Within twenty minutes of consumption, the brain began to emit neurotransmitters. The heightened levels of dopamine and noradrenaline enhanced the soldiers' alertness and sharpened their senses. Witness accounts suggest that the stimulating effects of Pervitin were pivotal in boosting the German military's rapid advances, enabling soldiers to exceed their normal performance levels.

Pervitin played a crucial role in sustaining the swift and unforeseen tactics synonymous with Blitzkrieg combat.

Ohler contends that the rapid assault tactics of the Blitzkrieg were enabled by Pervitin, based on his analysis of military records and the experiences of the soldiers. Norman Ohler argues that the use of stimulants enabled German soldiers to maintain their high levels of aggression and breach the defenses of their adversaries, thus altering the traditional tactics of warfare. Ohler deduces that Pervitin significantly contributed to the early victories achieved during the Blitzkrieg.

The integration of Pervitin into military equipment and supply lines, ensuring soldiers had a constant supply.

Military commanders, recognizing the tactical advantages of Pervitin, supported its use and integrated it into the military's supply chain.

The German armed forces were officially permitted to utilize Pervitin and other stimulating substances.

In April 1940, the German armed forces formally approved the employment of the stimulant Pervitin, a detail that Ohler elaborates on when he talks about the directive on stimulants. The top military official instructed the medical staff on the appropriate dosages and application of the medication, underscoring its significance in reducing fatigue among a group facing intense demands to secure a win. The document authorized the use of Pervitin and orchestrated its systematic distribution across different levels of military hierarchy.

To meet the significant demands of the armed forces, Temmler ramped up the production of Pervitin.

The demand for Pervitin necessitated a significant increase in production by Temmler to meet military requirements. Ohler illustrates the bustling scene at the Temmler facility, where a multitude of women worked on circular machines that looked like automated sweets makers, tirelessly churning out a substantial number of Pervitin pills. The German military's strategies relied significantly on this substance, as evidenced by their substantial acquisition of 35 million doses.

Other Perspectives

• The success of the Blitzkrieg tactics was not solely due to the use of Pervitin; it was also a result of innovative combined arms tactics, effective communication, and the element of surprise.
• The impact of Pervitin on overall military strategy and success may be overstated, as logistical support, intelligence, and other factors played significant roles.
• The use of stimulants like Pervitin could have had negative long-term effects on soldiers' health, which might have undermined their combat effectiveness over time.
• The reliance on chemical stimulants could be seen as a sign of systemic issues within the military, such as inadequate rest and unsustainable operational tempos.
• The ethical implications of administering drugs like Pervitin to soldiers without fully understanding the long-term consequences or without their informed consent are problematic.
• The official permission to use Pervitin and other stimulants might reflect a broader issue of drug use in military contexts, raising questions about the prevalence and regulation of such practices.
• The increase in production of Pervitin by Temmler could be critiqued from an economic perspective, as it may have diverted resources from other important wartime production needs.
• The narrative that Pervitin was a crucial factor in the success of the Blitzkrieg may overshadow the role of resistance and resilience among the invaded populations and the eventual strategic failures of the German military.

Hitler's medication regimen was overseen and orchestrated by his trusted doctor, Theodor Morell.

This part of the text examines the intricate dynamics shared by Hitler and his personal doctor, Theodor Morell, particularly emphasizing Hitler's reliance on pharmaceuticals. Ohler explores the array of substances provided to Hitler, emphasizing Eukodal, and evaluates how they might have influenced his decision-making.

Hitler established a symbiotic partnership, wherein Morell took on the role of his personal doctor.

Theodor Morell played a key role in overseeing the medicinal regimen of the dictator. Morell quickly developed a mutually beneficial connection with Hitler, initially consulted to resolve the latter's gastrointestinal problems.

The decline in Hitler's health was overseen by Morell, who provided a variety of medical interventions including opioids, steroids, and hormones.

Hitler received a range of treatments from Morell, including vitamins, hormones, and steroids, and was eventually prescribed the opioid Eukodal, aimed at improving his health, boosting his energy, and reducing any mental inhibitions. The approach to treatment emphasized unconventional methods that aimed for rapid symptom relief rather than addressing the underlying health problems. Ohler traces the evolution towards a concoction that increased in potency and was administered with diminishing prudence, initially beginning with harmless nutritional supplements administered through injection.

Morell leveraged his role to further his pharmaceutical ventures, which included the appropriation of assets in territories under occupation.

Ohler reveals that Morell, driven by personal ambition and greed, utilized his position as Hitler's personal physician to advance his individual pharmaceutical interests. Hitler authorized Morell to assume command over the Heikorn Company, a Czechoslovakian firm engaged in oil production that had undergone "Aryanization." Ohler also details how Morell seized a considerable chance by establishing a pharmaceutical company in Ukraine and secured permission to gather animal tissues and glands from creatures slaughtered in the occupied territories for his medical enterprises. Ohler illuminates how, during the conflict, the Nazi regime was the embodiment of rampant corruption and actions that served their own interests.

As the conflict progressed, the intricacy and dependency-inducing characteristics of the pharmaceutical mixture administered to Hitler became increasingly evident.

Ohler explores the intensification of Hitler's drug consumption correlating with the increasing pressures of the conflict. Hitler's initial use of milder medications escalated, culminating in what Ohler characterizes as a profound dependency on a variety of potent drugs.

Morell provided a mixture of substances, including Eukodal, to sustain Hitler's vigor and his grandiose illusions.

In 1943, Hitler's medical routine encompassed a remarkable array of substances, from vitamins to steroids and opioids, with the latter becoming an essential element, all carefully managed under the supervision of his own doctor. Ohler particularly highlights Eukodal, a drug that induces effects similar to heroin. A physician from the period characterized the mixture as containing energizing substances and vitamin C, and based on Morell's enigmatic records, it became increasingly apparent that Hitler depended on this substance to preserve his vigor, enhance his spirits, and uphold his feeling of being unbeatable, especially at times when developments in the conflict were not in Germany's favor.

Morell's failure to manage the negative consequences and cumulative effects of the drugs contributed to the decline of Hitler's physical and mental condition.

Ohler posits that Morell's lack of adequate medical credentials, coupled with his focus on quick outcomes, contributed to the deterioration in Hitler's health and psychological state. He asserts that Morell, driven by a desire to please his patient and maintain his privileged position, neglected to properly assess the dangers of mixing so many potent substances. Hitler's declining health worsened due to the careless combination of various medications, which led to an increased reliance on more potent substances without taking into account the potential interactions. Ohler suggests that this excessive indulgence intensified Hitler's disconnection from the actual political situation and swelled his ego, consequently undermining his ability to make rational decisions.

Practical Tips

• You can evaluate the trustworthiness of healthcare providers by researching their background and treatment philosophies. Before choosing a doctor or healthcare professional, look into their credentials, read reviews from other patients, and ask about their approach to treatment, including their stance on the use of medications. This helps ensure that you're entrusting your health to someone with a reliable track record and a treatment philosophy that aligns with your own values.
• Develop a personal health diary to monitor how different treatments affect your well-being. Keep a daily log of any medications or supplements you take, including the dosage, time, and any side effects you experience. This record can help you identify patterns or changes in your health that may be related to your treatments, allowing you to make informed decisions about your healthcare regimen.
• Create a decision-making framework for evaluating potential risks and benefits of medical treatments. When faced with a decision about starting a new medication or therapy, list the potential benefits and risks, and weigh them against each other. Consider seeking a second opinion from another healthcare professional to ensure that you have a well-rounded view of the potential impact on your health.

During the final years of the conflict, a desperate quest for drugs that could shift the tide of battle led to experiments being conducted on prisoners within the confines of concentration camps.

As the conflict neared its conclusion and Germany's defeat seemed inevitable, the desperate search for any tactical advantage led to the relentless exploitation of substances hailed as "miracle drugs." Ohler investigates the quest for a substance intended to significantly boost the abilities of soldiers and sustain their effectiveness in battle, regardless of the ensuing consequences to their psychological and physiological well-being.

The German Navy initiated a quest to find a substance that would sustain the vigilance and operational capability of underwater saboteurs for prolonged durations.

Ohler describes the intense pursuit by the German Navy for a compound that would greatly enhance the performance of their submarine personnel, who faced a growing number of losses and were tasked with the vital role of disrupting the maritime pathways used by the Allied forces.

The hazardous substance known as D IX was developed and tested on prisoners within concentration camps.

The Navy recruited pharmacologist Gerhard Orzechowski to develop a series of experimental drugs tailored for their more agile, compact combat forces. The concoction referred to as "D IX," containing substances such as oxycodone, cocaine, methamphetamine, and hydromorphone, was deemed of sufficient importance to justify further investigative studies. Ohler reveals that prisoners detained in the notorious Sachsenhausen camp were subjected to these non-consensual experiments.

Drug trials conducted by the navy resulted in disastrous consequences, leaving many pilots and saboteurs incapacitated or causing loss of life.

Ohler elaborates on the trials involving D IX, which did not yield successful outcomes. The powerful concoction, instead of enhancing abilities, resulted in severe negative effects, including shaking extremities, and significantly compromised the soldiers' central nervous system, which in turn reduced the effectiveness of the military units it was intended to fortify. In one chilling detail, Ohler recounts the aftermath of the test, noting that the initial pleasant sensations quickly faded, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities and physical energy, a diminished capacity for critical assessment of situations, followed by excessive sweating, a sensation akin to a hangover, and a profound sense of weariness and despondency. Despite these obstacles, the pursuit of a remarkable drug persisted. The Navy continued their trials on concentration camp inmates, administering significant amounts of pure methamphetamine and cocaine.

The Luftwaffe's trials with performance-boosting stimulants serve as another instance of the pursuit to enhance abilities.

Ohler highlights further instances in which the armed forces sought a pharmacological advantage as the conflict neared its conclusion. He underscores the dependence of the Luftwaffe's bomber pilots on Pervitin to stave off fatigue during night-time operations, and acknowledges the contributions of a certain otolaryngologist in administering cocaine for Hitler's advantage. Ohler highlights the widespread reliance of the Nazi regime on substances designed to boost performance, reflecting their desperate quest for quick solutions to turn around their mounting losses.

Prisoners held in concentration camps became subjects of medical experiments designed to alter their mental states with mescaline.

In its unyielding quest for dominance, Nazi Germany expanded its range of brutality to encompass experiments aimed at enhancing mental capabilities and boosting athletic performance. Ohler describes the trials involving mescaline conducted by SS doctor Kurt Plötner, aimed at extracting the most guarded secrets from detainees at the infamous Dachau camp. Large doses of mescaline were used in the experiments to induce hallucinatory experiences and remove mental inhibitions. Under the influence of the substance, incarcerated individuals were said to have disclosed intimate information and confessed to offenses they hadn't actually perpetrated.

Research on drugs conducted during the Nazi era was assimilated into American postwar mind control programs, including MKUltra.

Ohler reveals disturbing connections between the drug trials carried out by the Nazis and the post-war operations of American intelligence agencies. The infamous MKUltra initiative saw American researchers drawing on insights initially explored in "Project Chatter" to forge new methods for mental manipulation and interrogation, which were derived from Nazi research. According to Ohler, this grim legacy shows how the practice of drug experimentation during the Nazi period continues to have a profound impact, highlighting how such unethical and inhumane practices can cross borders and override variances in ideologies.

Practical Tips

• You can explore the ethical implications of scientific research by starting a journal where you reflect on current events in medical science and their ethical considerations. For instance, when you read about a new drug trial or a controversial study, write down your thoughts on the ethical boundaries and compare them with historical cases you've learned about. This will help you develop a personal ethical framework for understanding modern science.
• Dive into the history of pharmaceuticals by creating a timeline of drug development and its societal impacts. Use online resources or visit a library to research different eras and note how drugs have been used or misused throughout history. This activity will give you a broader perspective on the role of pharmaceuticals in society and how past events shape current practices.
• Engage with the topic of mental health and substance use by volunteering with organizations that support ethical treatment and recovery. Look for local nonprofits or community groups that focus on humane treatment and rehabilitation for substance abuse. By contributing your time and effort, you'll gain firsthand experience in the importance of ethical care and the impact of substances on mental health.