The passage below contains testimony from the commander of Auschwitz, given at a war crimes trial in 1946.DR. KAUFMANN: Is it furthermore true that Eichmann stated to you that in Auschwitz a total sum of more than 2 million Jews had been destroyed?HÖSS: Yes.DR. KAUFMANN: Did you yourself ever feel pity with the victims, thinking of your own family and children?HÖSS: Yes.DR. KAUFMANN: How was it possible for you to carry out these actions in spite of this?HÖSS: In view of all these doubts which I had, the only one and decisive argument was the strict order and the reason given for it by the Reichsführer Himmler.
Answer
A
He believed he was doing what was right for Germany.
B
He stated that the number of people killed by Germans was exaggerated.
C
He testified that he did not personally kill anyone.
D
He said he was just following orders.
Explanation
Höss said that the decisive reason he carried out the actions, despite his doubts and pity for the victims, was the strict order given by Himmler. This means he claimed he was following orders. The best choice is “He said he was just following orders.”
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