The DailyMail.co.uk is reporting that historians have “digitized the first full English translation” of Adolf Hitler’s “Black Book,” which contained the names of many British figures whom he planned to have arrested (or killed) if Germany were to take over Britain.
Although there were once around 20,000 copies of the list, according to the Daily Mail, “only two are said to exist today.”
From the Daily Mail article:
Historians have painstakingly researched all 2,820 ‘enemies of the state, traitors and undesirables’ who were ‘marked for punishment or death’ that featured in the Nazi leader’s so-called Black Book.
The result is a comprehensive digitized database that reveals who the wanted citizens were, why they were a threat to the Nazis and what was to become of them.
The list is made up of hundreds of prominent politicians, authors, poets, journalists, actors, scientists, musicians, heads of industry and religious leaders.
Both Leonard and Virginia Woolf are on the list. Virginia was classified in Hitler’s list as an “enemy of the state.”Other famous writers on Hitler’s list include:
- H.G. Wells
- Vera Brittain
- E.M. Forster
- Aldous Huxley
Read the Daily Mail article to see other Brits who were on Hitler’s list and learn more about Hitler’s “Black Book” and SS-Oberführer Walter Schellenberg, the man responsible for compiling the book.
You can also access the list itself, which consists of 144 pages and 2,813 names. Virginia and Leonard are on Page 277.
[…] This Devastating Fever, a new novel by Sophie Cunningham, follows the story of novelist Alice Fox and her struggles to write about Leonard Woolf as he deals with what he and Virginia would do if Hitler invaded England. […]
Do you know of where the entire list can be viewed? My grandfather was born in Hastings, England and I was curious to see if he or any others in my family were on the list. Excellent article by the way! Truly appreciate it!
Hi Mark! Thanks so much for your message and your kind words. So, This National Geographic website has some general information on Hitler’s “Black Book”: https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/history/hitlers-british-kill-list-revealed.aspx
But I am unable to find a complete list, as most publications only list the “notable figures” from “The Black Book”. According to the Wikipedia entry for “The Black Book”, an original list does exist at the Hoover Institution Library and Archives. Now I’m interested, Mark, and will search on my own! I’ll message you if I find anything else. Cheers!