I also would stop short of saying that only a prophet knew. But hard as it may be to believe, the situation was not as obvious then as it is in hindsight. Yes – it was known that the Nazis were in power, but the worst that was expected was another ‘Great War’. ROB, you were not around to know what was going on in the minds of people living in Europe and America in the 40’s. Communication technology was not much to speak of, and while the war machine was running it was even less. War is always dangerous for civilians, but no one ever thought that civilians would be the target of the war. Even of those who did flee, most did it because they feared ‘collateral damage’, i.e. plundering and raiding or pogrom-like anti-semitism – not because they foresaw the Holocaust.
I doubt you will believe my word alone – so confirm it with anyone you please. Anyone who was around to remember. If you read ‘Night’ by Elie Weisel, he describes how the warnings of the Beadle who escaped from Poland to Transylvania were mocked and ignored by the Hungarian townspeople. The general populace simply did not believe there was a Holocaust going on, until it came to their town. I am sure there are other examples of similar denials that are documented. The Jews of Europe unfortunately found out how wrong their estimation was. The Jews of America found out only after the war, and were ridden with guilt and self-flaggelation for underestimating the level of horror.
Not one of you is in a position to judge. So if you feel like passing judgment, do so in the confines of your living room, where you and your children can discuss this ‘ancient history’ like all scholars do – i.e. second-hand, and with the benefit of hindsight. Not here, where your armchair politics can be seen by me. Judge the Nazis if you please.