# Adolf Hitler didn't use chemical weapons?! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 11, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254 "2017-04-11T18:16:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/41 "2017-04-11T22:59:32Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > Did the Wehrmacht Experiment with chemicals and give amphethamines to their own soldiers to enable partly the Speed of Blitzkrieg, first without knowing, then without caring, about the aftereffects of the Crash and the addiction? From the evidence known today, yes, but that doesn’t Count as chemical weapon against enemy soldiers. US and British soldiers were also high as fuuuuck on uppers throughout WW2. US soldiers were pepped up to the gills in Korea too. And Viet-Nam. Also Iraq (1 and 2) and Afghanistan. What I’m saying is : filling soldiers with enough amphetamines to give an elephant a raging boner is not a Nazi thing, it’s a modern armies thing. ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/42 "2017-04-11T23:03:04Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > [PolitiFact | Did Adolf Hitler use chemical weapons? Sean Spicer wrongly says Hitler didn't sink to that level](http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/apr/11/sean-spicer/did-adolf-hitler-use-chemical-weapons/) This is why politifact sucks: What Spicer said: > [@](#): > > He was not using the gas on his own people the same way that Assad is doing," Spicer said. "He brought them into the Holocaust centers, I understand that. But (not) in the way that Bashar al-Assad used them where he went into towns, dropped them down, into the middle of towns. This is factually correct according to Politifact. Yet they score the statement as "Pants on Fire’. Why? > [@](#): > > Spicer appears to be trying to limit his definition of chemical weapons to those dropped from planes or fired through cannons, as Assad has been alleged to have done. No shit. Spicer says that directly. The whole ‘But (not) in the way that Bashar al-Assad used them where he went into towns, dropped them down, into the middle of towns.’ part. Then the article goes on to say: > [@](#): > > For what it’s worth, the consensus view is that Hitler did not use chemical weapons in battle. So, Spicer is lying for stating the consensus view of Hitlers use of chemical weapons. Spicers comment was not phrased well at all, no doubt, it was a stupid thing to say. However, Politifact notes that what Spicer said is the correct and accepted version of history even though he stated it very, very badly. Slee ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/43 "2017-04-12T00:55:12Z")
“Here, let me continue to pick the nits off this _month-old rotting pig carcass_, maybe I can make it look better without nits.” Fucking hell, guys, leave some faith in humanity for the rest of us, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/44 "2017-04-12T01:08:51Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > This is why politifact sucks: > > What Spicer said: Spicer said several things, including that Hitler “didn’t even sink to the level of using chemical weapons.” That’s what he got “Pants on Fire” for. They also dinged him for saying “[Hitler] was not using the gas on his own people the same way that Assad is doing.” While on some technical level that’s true–Hitler used the gas on his own people in a different way from the way Assad is doing–that level of parsing means that it’d literally be impossible for anyone, no matter how much they wanted to, to use gas on their own people the way Assad is doing. The key point of Spicer’s claim was that Hitler wasn’t using the gas on his own people, when clearly he was. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/45 "2017-04-12T01:20:25Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > …filling soldiers with enough amphetamines to give an elephant a raging boner… This amphetamine that provokes “raging boners”? Does it have a brand name? Asking for a friend… ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/46 "2017-04-12T01:23:47Z")
I’m torn. On one hand, I want the guy to be fired for incompetency. He’s had three months to get his footing, and every week he finds a way to step in it. A press secretary has a difficult job, true, but he simply should not be making these kind of errors. SMH @ “Holocaust centers”. I’m going to be cringing over that for awhile. But on the other hand, I want him to stick around. The gaffs are entertaining. And his incompetency makes Trump look bad. The last thing I want to see is some silver-tongue sophisticate standing at the podium, giving the administration a hint of credibility. As long as Spicey is there, the shitshow that is the White House will be apparent to everyone who is paying attention. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/47 "2017-04-12T01:24:09Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > How often did he use that phrase? If he only said it once I would accept incompetence – after all he is a spokesperson, but to be fair I think that some of the concentration/death camps today _are_ the eastern European equivalent of “Holocaust centers” here in America in that they have interpretive information about what happened there. Now, if he consistently used that term, then he either truly doesn’t know what they were called or is spinning for some reason. I’m clearly missing a nuance here because to me the term “Holocaust Centre” in the context of WWII sounds like a cromulent catch-all for Death Camps/Concentration Camps/Other Places The Nazis Practiced Genocide And Awfulness. And as has been noted, Hitler was not noted for employing chemical weapons against combatants. Doesn’t mean it didn’t ever happen at all even once during WWII (especially against the Russians, of whom Hitler was not fond), but as a broad statement I don’t think it’s egregiously incorrect. That doesn’t make Mr Spicer’s comments poorly worded or expressed, but I think we’re moving towards “people deliberately choosing to be outraged” rather than an intentional white-washing of history here. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/48 "2017-04-12T01:27:44Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Spicer said several things, including that Hitler “didn’t even sink to the level of using chemical weapons.” That’s what he got “Pants on Fire” for. > > They also dinged him for saying “[Hitler] was not using the gas on his own people the same way that Assad is doing.” While on some technical level that’s true–Hitler used the gas on his own people in a different way from the way Assad is doing–that level of parsing means that it’d literally be impossible for anyone, no matter how much they wanted to, to use gas on their own people the way Assad is doing. The key point of Spicer’s claim was that Hitler wasn’t using the gas on his own people, when clearly he was. Pretty much this. While I think that there is a technicality from a historical perspective (i.e. if you define the use of chemical weapons to only battlefield use), it’s pretty much a bullshit technicality, IMHO. Not only did Hitler et al use chemical weapons on his own people/civilians (in the gas chamber), he used it on other nations people/civilians as well (and he didn’t use it on the battlefield because he rightfully feared the other side would use it against Germany if he used it against them…and Germany was much more vulnerable to having chemical weapons dropped on them than the allies were wrt their population centers). Assad isn’t in the same league wrt using chemical weapons on his own population…nor in wrt general brutality. Assad, however, still doesn’t get a pass…the dude is a monster, and Putin et al are totally accomplices to the fact. But this attempt to use Hitler to paint the other side as evil by association has totally gotten out of hand and has diluted the meaning of how and why Hitler was such a monster. It’s fucking ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/49 "2017-04-12T01:31:14Z")
Everything about this story is mind-boggling. Spicer was wrong on every count and wrong in every correction and did it on the first day of Passover, for crying out loud. His intention (to paint Assad as a Hitler equivalent) was also wrong. Let’s get one thing straight: The Germans DID use chemical weapons on soldiers from the air (see the picture [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_warfare#Nazi_Germany)). Furthermore, Assad has done so twice (apparently) and the Germans did so at least twice, depending on how you count, and entirely ignoring Zyklon B. Spicer’s “Holocaust centers” is a terrible coinage and probably the result of pure ignorance. There’s more, but the sites I am trying to quote won’t load on any machine, so I’ve spent 30 minutes fighting the Internet. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/50 "2017-04-12T01:33:35Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > I’m clearly missing a nuance here because to me the term “Holocaust Centre” in the context of WWII sounds like a cromulent catch-all for Death Camps/Concentration Camps/Other Places The Nazis Practiced Genocide And Awfulness. > > And as has been noted, Hitler was not noted for employing chemical weapons against combatants. Doesn’t mean it didn’t ever happen at all even once during WWII (especially against the Russians, of whom Hitler was not fond), but as a broad statement I don’t think it’s egregiously incorrect. > > That doesn’t make Mr Spicer’s comments poorly worded or expressed, but I think we’re moving towards “people deliberately choosing to be outraged” rather than an intentional white-washing of history here. It was boneheaded, not intentional, but boneheaded to the point that suggest Spicer’s ignorance of history is so profound that he shouldn’t have any job in public service, much less a communications job for the White House. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/51 "2017-04-12T01:33:48Z")
Hey, don’t be too hard on the guy. It’s not like communication is an essential part of his job. I could see if he was the _spokesperson_ or something, but… oh… oh my! ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/52 "2017-04-12T01:54:19Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > **Spicer’s “Holocaust centers” is a terrible coinage** and probably the result of pure ignorance. (bolding mine) Serious question from a non-American: _Why_ is it terrible or a bad choice of words? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/53 "2017-04-12T01:58:42Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > (bolding mine) Serious question from a non-American: _Why_ is it terrible or a bad choice of words? It makes it sound like a kiosk in a shopping mall. Holocaust Centers; for all your “Final Solution” needs!! ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/54 "2017-04-12T02:16:40Z")
I suppose that’s one way of looking at it but I have to honestly say it’s not the one which came to mind for me. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/55 "2017-04-12T02:18:00Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > (bolding mine) Serious question from a non-American: _Why_ is it terrible or a bad choice of words? It’s terrible because it sounds like a corporate doublespeak. You don’t use corporate doublespeak when your organization has already been accused of downplaying/negating the Jewish Holocaust. Also, [holocaust centers](https://www.holocaustcenterseattle.org/) are a thing. They are the very opposite of gas chambers. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/56 "2017-04-12T02:18:35Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > (bolding mine) Serious question from a non-American: _Why_ is it terrible or a bad choice of words? Whats the worst “blank” center you can think of? I mean in common issue. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/57 "2017-04-12T02:18:54Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > (bolding mine) Serious question from a non-American: _Why_ is it terrible or a bad choice of words? “The Center for Y and Z” has gravitas, but in American English, “ABC Center” strongly implies commerce at a minimum, possibly with a soupcon of frivolity. Google “Auto Center” or “Super Center” or “Shopping Center” and you’ll see. I don’t know if it captures the right flavor for non-Americans, but if Spicer had said “Holocaust Hubs” would you recoil? If yes, that’s your explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/58 "2017-04-12T02:23:20Z")
And even if we’re hanging our interpretation on “Hitler didn’t use gas on the battlefield” (which is mostly true), then what does that get us? Assad wasn’t using it on the battlefield, either (at least, not in this instance). And even if Assad has used it on the battlefield on other occasions, that’s still not worse than what the Nazis did. I mean, gas sucks, but surely it’s better to use it against enemy soldiers than against noncombatants? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/59 "2017-04-12T02:43:52Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > “The Center for Y and Z” has gravitas, but in American English, “ABC Center” strongly implies commerce at a minimum, possibly with a soupcon of frivolity. Google “Auto Center” or “Super Center” or “Shopping Center” and you’ll see. > > I don’t know if it captures the right flavor for non-Americans, but if Spicer had said “Holocaust Hubs” would you recoil? If yes, that’s your explanation. To me, it’s not so much that as there are actual “Holocaust centers,” which are museums/memorials honoring the victims and heroes of the Holocaust. It just struck me as really absurd and amusing that he couldn’t find the words “concentration camp” or “death camp” or whatever in his vocabulary, but somehow came across “Holocaust center,” which is a totally different thing. I’ve never heard anyone refer to a death camp as a “Holocaust center.” ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254/60 "2017-04-12T02:48:58Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > To me, it’s not so much that as there are actual “Holocaust centers,” which are museums/memorials honoring the victims and heroes of the Holocaust. It just struck me as really absurd and amusing that he couldn’t find the words “concentration camp” or “death camp” or whatever in his vocabulary, but somehow came across “Holocaust center,” which is a totally different thing. I’ve never heard anyone refer to a death camp as a “Holocaust center.” I didn’t even think of that, probably because the related phrase that comes to my mind is “Holocaust Museum.” In keeping with my instinctive response that “ABC Center” is different from “Center for ABC” I am relieved to note that the full name of the Centers seems to be “Holocaust Center **for Humanity.** ” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adolf-hitler-didnt-use-chemical-weapons/784254.md?page=4)