Nothing was to be spared that might potentially aid the Allies. “Our nation’s struggle for existence forces us to utilize all means,” Hitler proclaimed, “to inflict lasting damage on the striking power of the enemy.” The order applied to all production, communication, and transportation facilities. Railroads, bridges, communication lines, docks, public utilities, factories and mines were to be demolished. Hitler entrusted to the military commanders as well as to the Reich Defense Commissars and Gauleiter, Nazi Party administrative officials known for their fanaticism, the task of carrying out this draconian edict. There were to be no exceptions.

Terrified of what this meant for Germany’s future, Speer intervened. By the end of March, he managed to convince Hitler to delegate to him sole authority to implement the order’s provisions. Hitler realized that Speer would almost certainly obstruct its execution. Nevertheless, he relented. Speer should not be made into a hero for his intervention, however. He had faithfully served Hitler for years and was heavily involved in the massive exploitation of slave labor in the Reich. The Allied authorities recognized this during the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal and sentenced a remorseful Speer to twenty years in prison.

According to Ian Kershaw, the "non-implementation of the 'scorched earth' order was the first obvious sign that Hitler’s authority was beginning to wane, his writ ceasing to run.” Far more non-compliance was to follow in the last apocalyptic month of the Nazi dictatorship’s existence. The “Nero Decree" also throws additional light on Hitler’s Social Darwinism and fanaticism. Faced with his regime’s downfall, he preferred the total crippling of Germany’s economy. Yet Hitler's power had so eroded, he had no choice but to accept direct insubordination.

Further Reading:

Bessel, Richard. Germany 1945: From War to Peace. New York: Harper Perennial, 2009.

Kershaw, Ian. Hitler 1936-1945: Nemesis. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2000.

Kershaw, Ian. The End: The Defiance and Destruction of Hitler’s Germany, 1944-1945. New York: The Penguin Press, 2011.

Sereny, Gitta. Albert Speer: His Battle with Truth. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1995.

www.ghdi.ghi-dc.org (German Historical Institute-German History in Documents and Images).