Summary of Norman Ohler Interview on Drugs in WWII and Beyond
This interview with author Norman Ohler explores the significant, yet often ignored, role of psychoactive drugs, particularly methamphetamine (Pervitin), in the military and cultural history of the Third Reich, while also touching on his broader philosophical views on history and consciousness.
The Blitzkrieg and Pervitin [0:00-2:07, 56:32-60:18]
The conversation begins by detailing the strategic shift in the German invasion plan for France: bypassing the stalemate route of WWI by driving through the Ardennes Mountains [0:00-0:31]. This plan required the army to reach Sedan in just three days and nights without stopping.
- Key Enabler: Professor Ranke, head of Army Physiology, provided the "recipe" to keep soldiers awake: Pervitin (methamphetamine) [1:34].
- Mass Prescription: A stimulant decree was issued, prescribing the drug to the entire army, with Temmler company tasked to deliver 35 million dosages for the French campaign [1:47, 59:47].
- Execution: On May 10th, 1940, the German forces began the attack, fueled by methamphetamine, leading to the swift and successful Blitzkrieg [2:03].
Hitler's Drug Cocktail and Decline [85:47-128:07]
Ohler details the evolution of Hitler’s personal medication regimen under Dr. Theodor Morell, shifting from harmless vitamins to powerful opioids.
- Phase 1 (1936-1941): Harmless vitamins and glucose injections, leading to dependency on the daily injection ritual [101:49].
- The Turning Point (August 1941): After deciding against taking Moscow during Operation Barbarossa, Hitler became ill (Russian flu). Morell injected him intravenously with Dolantine (an opioid/pethidine), which immediately cleared his symptoms and allowed him to dominate the military briefing, leading to the costly decision to split forces [104:33, 107:51].
- Phase 2 (1943 onwards): Hitler became addicted to Eukodal (oxycodone), which he received intravenously, describing the feeling as the "king's high" [132:55, 118:04].
- Speedball Effect: Later in 1944, following an assassination attempt, Hitler was given Eukodal by Morell concurrently with cocaine administered by a new ENT specialist, Dr. Keesing, creating a highly unstable "speedball" high [127:45].
Contrast: Army vs. Leadership Drugs
A major distinction is drawn between the drugs used by the rank-and-file and the leadership [121:48]:
* Wehrmacht Soldiers: Primarily used methamphetamine (Pervitin) for performance enhancement during rapid campaigns.
* Hitler & Göring: Relied heavily on opioids (Dolantine, Eukodal) and, later, cocaine, leading to physical degeneration and cognitive decline [122:18].
Resistance and Historical Perspective [151:37-End]
Ohler also discusses his work on The Bohemians, the largest German resistance network led by Harro Schulze-Boysen and Libertas [153:44].
- Resistance Method: They operated through seemingly normal social gatherings and parties, testing potential recruits by introducing slight political criticisms [162:10].
- Tragic End: They were eventually betrayed via a decoded Soviet message, leading to their execution [171:20].
Key Takeaways
- Monocausal explanations are insufficient: While the Ardennes plan was genius, the execution of Blitzkrieg was profoundly aided by mandatory methamphetamine use by troops [25:28].
- Hitler's decline was chemically driven: His increasingly poor strategic decisions late in the war, culminating in his physical wreck in the bunker, correlate directly with his escalating opioid dependency and the unstable "speedball" regimen [122:18, 141:26].
- History is a construction: Ohler emphasizes that all historical accounts are a "version" or a "fiction based on facts" [179:54], encouraging a deeper, multi-layered investigation into the overlooked elements like psychoactive substances.