Book review: The Myth of German Villainy by Benton L. Bradberry

The Myth of German Villainy by Benton L. Bradberry

I served in the United States Navy from 1955 until 1977, mostly as a Navy pilot, and saw a lot of the
world as a result. Aircraft carriers on which I served regularly visited European ports, as well as
other ports around the world. I have also traveled extensively in the years since leaving the Navy.
After traveling around most of Europe, Germany emerges as my favorite country. During our
visits there we found the German people to be pleasant, industrious, disciplined and civilized with
many similarities to traditional Americans. They in no way resemble the stereotypes depicted in all
the anti-Nazi movies, books and articles we have been subjected to over the years.
I am 74 as I write these words. My generation grew up virtually inundated with anti-German
propaganda. We were taught, quite literally, to hate the Germans as a people. Yet, Germans I have
met or befriended through the years seem no different from other Europeans, or even Americans, and
they seem no more inclined to violence and militarism than anyone else; if anything, less. I have never
detected anything that might be considered intrinsically “wrong” with the German character. They are
a highly cultured, highly civilized people in every respect. When studied objectively, even Germany’s
leaders of the 1930s and 40s were not very different from other European leaders. They were only
made out to be different by the relentless hate propaganda directed against them.