The Nazi regime’s brutal actions during World War II extended beyond battlefield confrontations, as revealed in Thomas Harding’s new book, The Einstein Vendetta: Hitler, Mussolini, and a True Story of Murder. This gripping narrative focuses on the tragic fate of Albert Einstein’s family, targeted for their connection to the renowned physicist. In July 1944, as Allied forces advanced through Italy, Nazi soldiers executed a chilling reprisal against the family of Einstein’s cousin, Robert, at Villa Il Focardo in Tuscany.
Harding meticulously details the harrowing events leading to the murders of Robert Einstein’s wife, Nina, and their two daughters, Luce and Cici. The book sheds light on the broader context of Nazi reprisals against innocent civilians, particularly after partisan attacks. According to Harding, more than 2,000 Italian civilians were executed by German troops during this tumultuous period, victims of a regime that stripped them of their identities.
Albert Einstein, a vocal critic of the Nazi regime, had long departed Germany for safety in the United States, escaping a bounty placed on his head by the Nazis. While other family members managed to flee or found refuge in neutral Switzerland, Robert remained in Italy with his family. The oppressive laws enacted by Benito Mussolini’s government affecting Italian Jews, implemented in 1938, did not immediately disrupt their lives. Luce continued her medical studies, and Cici attended local school until the German invasion in September 1943 intensified the dangers they faced.
The situation escalated dramatically in the summer of 1944. On August 3, soldiers from the elite Hermann Göring Division arrived at the villa, demanding to see Robert. Although he was hiding, Nina’s attempt to protect him led to dire consequences. After a failed search, the German soldiers imprisoned the family and their relatives in the villa’s basement for interrogation. Desperate, Nina falsely suggested Robert might be hiding nearby, leading the soldiers to the woods.
After returning empty-handed, the German commander separated Nina and her daughters from the others. In a tragic act of violence, they were executed in the villa, with Nina embracing her daughters during their final moments. The soldiers then torched the villa before leaving the scene. This brutal act left Robert devastated; he later met a partisan soldier, Alberto Droandi, and expressed his guilt over not revealing himself to the Germans, believing it would have saved his family.
The aftermath of this tragedy led to an investigation by the War Crimes Commission, led by American Major Milton Wexler. Harding notes that the case received attention despite its smaller scale compared to larger massacres, such as the August 12 massacre at Sant’Anna di Stazzema, where 560 Italians were killed. The lack of conclusive evidence and swift action by Italian authorities hindered progress in identifying the perpetrators.
Despite the passage of time, Harding conveys the ongoing impact of the Einstein family’s story. The book discusses various later investigations that identified potential suspects among the German soldiers involved. Even after 80 years, family members continue to seek justice, hoping to uncover the names of those responsible for this atrocity.
Ultimately, The Einstein Vendetta serves as a poignant reminder of the relentless pursuit of the Nazi regime and its devastating effects on innocent lives. Harding’s work highlights the importance of remembering these histories, ensuring that the victims are not forgotten, and that their stories contribute to the ongoing discourse about justice and accountability in the wake of such profound tragedy.
