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Secrets Of Nazi Runners
Question:
My friend recently returned from a 6 month sabbatical in East Germany, where she researched various archives of Nazi wartime documents which had been unavailable to Western scholars under the Communist regime. Among the tons of archives which she reviewed, she found a Nazi running/athletics magazine, circa 1942. I’m told that it translates loosely into "Reich Runner’s World" or "Reich Athelete’s World", depending on the translation. I won’t even attempt to reprint the title as I am hopeless in the language area. This is a summary of the contents. COVER Red and Black border. A full-cover photograph of three smiling, attractive blond "jungfraus" in track outfits with the swastika logo on the front. Each is holding a leather water bottle in the shape of a wine flask with a screw-on metal top. One is holding it to her lips in a somewhat posed manner. The headline underneath says: "Our Annual Water Taste Competition". Line underneath says: "Reich water is still the sweetest and purest". ADVERTISEMENTS The magazine apparently derived most of it’s income from advertisers, which were primarily running shoe companies. One company had full page ads based on the theme "Be Decisive!". It showed an athelete at the point of exhaustion, as he contemplates yet another hill. In another ad, the same athelete is shown in combat, facing hordes of attacking ape-like Russians, unsure as to where to aim his rifle. Interestingly, tobacco ads were prominent, often with the theme of athletes relaxing with a cigarette after a hard training session. One full page ad showed a coach pulling on his pipe while a group of wholesome male and female athletes encircle him, cigarettes in hand. The slogan: "Well Done! Now it’s Time to Relax…". EDITORIAL PAGE The editorial page contained items to be expected in Nazi Germany: exortations to work and fight harder, to support the Fuhrer, etc. The major piece was a polite but clearly emotional diatribe against Japanese runners (keep in mind that Japan was Germany’s ally). The editorial complained that Japanese runners were monopolizing the finish line because their small stature gave them an unfair advantage over the larger German runners. It implied that the Japanese runners had a genetic advantage, but the piece sniffed that "being a faster runner doesn’t carry over into superiority in more important areas…" The piece suggested that Japanese runners be restricted as to how many can run in a given race, and recommended that Germans who win receive larger cash awards. TABLE OF CONTENTS Each article is listed in the Table of Contents in a manner familiar to readers of most magazines. The title of the article is followed underneath by a short teaser which gives the reader an idea of its focus, apparently to induce browsers to purchase the magazine. Ten Great Runs in Occupied Russia You’ll have your fill of wide-open spaces in these runs. The local population is enthusiastic about our presence, but tuck a 9mm Luger in your waistband just in case. The Miracle of Reich Sports Apparel Production Using Aryan discipline, long hours and low pay for foreign workers from occupied zones, the Reich athletic shoe and apparel industry is the envy of Western industrialists. Five Ways to Spot Racial Impurity Don’t be fooled by blond hair; the athlete running next to you may not be as pure as he appears. And what if he actually beats you? Avoid embarrasment with these simple tips which anyone can use. Use Ancient Yoga from India to Manage Stress Unable to meet Party volunteer work goals? Concerned about your upcoming appearance before the Racial Purity Commission? Relax. These yoga exercises from far-away India will help you to loosen up and be at your best. A day in the Life of a Sports Doctor Think it’s easy being a medical experimenter? Come with us as we accompany Dr. Josef Mengele on his twelve hour work days preparing to carry out research on bone fractures. EDITORIAL POLICY The archives also included internal correspondence of the magazine’s publishers. A directive from the publisher warned the editors to keep the material simple, avoid overly technical articles, and avoid offending advertisers. "Keep them entertained" it admonished. "The average runner" it continued, "is not particularly intelligent, and will buy any magazine put in front of him." Another directive, from the magazines medical director, warned the runners on the staff never to exceed twenty miles a week. "There is overwhelming evidence that excessive running destroys brain cells", it explained.
Response:
"My friend recently returned …"
"I’m told that it translates loosely into …" "I won’t even attempt to reprint the title as I am hopeless in the language area…" I guess that says it aol. —
Response:
"Reich Runner’s World" or "Reich Athelete’s World" Ten Great Runs in Occupied Russia You’ll have your fill of wide-open spaces in these runs.
CometX has taken, I believe, some liberties in the way the magazine is described. I saw a presentation of this material at a symposium in Berlin on Nazi archives in late August, and my recollection is that it was not as simple as he presents it. The title "Ten Great Runs in Occupied Russia" was in fact, as I recall "Ten important things to remember when running in the Russian territories". It then showed various military Kommando units in the course of their runs – carrying not only Lugers but submachine guns as well. The part about Yoga is accurate. It may sound strange, but remember that these magazines were generally limited to Party loyalists, and some of the off color material was intended as an expression of German humor (yuck…). Also bear in mind that the Germans have always been fascinated by Indian culture. The factory article is again somewhat simplified. It actually stated "the athletic apparel factories are an example of how production quotas are met by intelligent use of foreigners, Germanic discipline, wage inflationary controls, etc. etc. etc. My understanding is that a number of scholarly institutes in East Germany have collections of similar material, but of a much more controversial nature. Regards P. Bendorius PHD, LS/MFT
Response:
Right. Now pull the other one. Owen McCall
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