Conclusion

Abstract

Providing administrative support for the Nazis, the SS-Helferinnen, the Nachricthenhelferinnen and the secretaries were united by the nature of the work, their gender and their race. Yet there were pronounced differences between the war-time experiences of each group, evident in their route to employment, the locations they were deployed to and the expectations placed upon them. One theme holds true for all groups, however: the contribution that the women could make as administrators was important, but they were more highly valued for the contribution they could make as mothers. Century argues against an overarching categorisation of the female administrators of the Nazis as either victims of the regime or perpetrators for it; the multiplicity of narratives means that each administrator should be considered in light of their individual contribution. Century does show, however, that the vast majority of the female administrators knew about the Holocaust, were contributing towards it through their administration and took no action to prevent it occurring.