LambdaMale

LambdaMale t1_j0gjxr2 wrote

The German Wikipedia lists the crew for the A7V as 1 officer, 5 ncos and 10 enlisted men. Another 7 to 10 enlisted men in battle configuration (adding messengers, carrier pigeon handler, 2nd rifleman for each MG, etc.).
The article cites a book called "Sturmpanzerwagen A7V : vom Urpanzer zum Leopard 2", which, if you can find a copy, might be able to get you more detailed information on what positions were supposed to be NCOs and which ones enlisted men. Given how haphazard everything was at the front by that time though, what was supposed to be and what was reality might be somewhat different.

3

LambdaMale t1_iuqht0y wrote

I remember a different (I believe also Jacobin) article on this book a while ago. It focused less on the postwar trials, but more about "Nazi Billionaires" in general. As a title, it is poignant and all, but as a concept it annoys me, because most of these families and companies already were rich. Quite a few were Monarchist Millionaires and rich families have a good shot at staying rich. Obviously many of them arranged themselves and with the regime and exploited the opportunities the Holocaust and the war created for them, ruthlessly and immorally. And I am sure most of them found Nazi ideology very agreeable, or at least easy enough to go along with.

6

LambdaMale t1_iuqgvtf wrote

I would consider that one of the least bad things the Nazis did. Every ruling clique that is not subject to oversight becomes corrupt and enriches themselves, that is almost universal.
But money was not enough in Nazi Germany, you needed power and influence. The "old guard" Nazis did often not come from wealth, they amassed it by bribes, plunder during the war and exploiting or confiscating Jewish assets. The "social" arm of the party withered after the Roehm and SA purge, but ruthless people still managed to rise in the party or SS by "merit" alone.
But of course most rich people aligned themselves with the Nazis and took up the opportunities the Holocaust and war gave them and got even richer. No one wanted to end up like Thyssen.

4