Monday, September 17, 2007

What would you have done?

For me, the following story tells as much about what happened in 1930s Germany as could any more complex account

Max Delbruck had reached the stage of his career where he should apply for a permanent university post. By then all formal correspondence of that kind should be signed off with 'Heil Hitler'

Delbruck (from an upper class Protestant family) was reluctant to do this. He consulted a friend.

How would you normally expect to sign? asked the friend

Oh um - Yours very respectfully said Delbruck

You wouldnt mean that either said the friend

Delbruck signed the letter

Related post: Work & freedom