The Curiohaus Trials: Bringing the Nazis to Justice 1945–1949
By Russell Kent
Pendant Sword Publishing, 2025..

In The Curiohaus Trials: Bringing the Nazis to Justice 1945–1949, Russell Kent offers a comprehensive examination of the British military’s post-World War II war crimes trials held at the Curiohaus in Hamburg. The book meticulously details the legal foundations and proceedings that sought to hold Nazi officials, military personnel, and collaborators accountable for their wartime actions.

Kent begins by establishing the legal framework of these trials. In Chapter 1, he discusses the Vienna Convention, providing a specific definition of what constitutes a war crime under that framework. Subsequent chapters present a series of case studies focusing on different types of crimes. Chapter 2 examines trials for the murder of captured British soldiers, while Chapter 3 delves into cases related to forced labor. Chapter 4 shifts focus to crimes committed against children, and Chapter 5 revisits issues of forced labor within work and education camps. Although Chapters 3 and 5 both address forced labor, their overlapping content may feel somewhat repetitive to readers. Chapter 6 covers killings during the war’s final phase, and Chapter 7 documents the conclusion of British military courts in Germany.

Notably, many of the crimes discussed occurred between 1943 and 1945, often just days before Allied forces took control. This close timeframe underscores the overlapping nature of some case studies.

Overall, The Curiohaus Trials: Bringing the Nazis to Justice 1945–1949 is a well-researched account that illuminates the legal and historical dimensions of post-war justice. While its detailed legal analysis may challenge readers not already familiar with the subject, the book remains a valuable resource for those interested in the prosecution of Nazi war criminals.

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley and Pendant Sword Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review.