Hitler’s “Nero Order”

Hitler orders the destruction of German infrastructure

In keeping with his all-or-nothing approach to life, and watching his enemies advance on two fronts, Hitler made his will clear: “Hold your ground or be destroyed.” In a last roll of the dice, he doubled down on his failing strategy and issued a Führer decree, which went down in infamy as the “Nero Order”. All transport, industrial or supply facilities that could benefit the Allies were to be destroyed before they fell into enemy hands. Hitler told Albert Speer that the needs of the German civilian population were unimportant. As the “best Germans” had already died, those who were set to survive the war would be of no value to the life of the German nation.

This scorched earth policy was often not implemented, and many commanders simply ignored what they saw as the ravings of a madman. Nevertheless, much damage was done – almost all of the Rhine bridges from Switzerland to the Baltic Sea were destroyed – and only a lack of time prevented even more destruction.