The tragic fate of Albert Einstein’s family during World War II is vividly depicted in Thomas Harding’s new book, “The Einstein Vendetta: Hitler, Mussolini, and a True Story of Murder.” The narrative focuses on the brutal killings of Einstein’s relatives in Italy, which were motivated by their connection to the famous physicist, who had fled the Nazis.
As Allied forces advanced through Italy in the summer of 1944, German soldiers engaged in widespread reprisal killings against civilians, especially in response to partisan resistance. In this context, Harding highlights a particularly horrifying incident that involved the murder of three members of the Einstein family.
Harding, known for his previous work “The House by the Lake,” tackles a complex and painful subject, meticulously piecing together the events surrounding the murders. His challenge is significant, as much evidence has been lost over time. Yet, through diligent research, he crafts a gripping account that underscores the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability.
Albert Einstein, who grew up alongside his cousin Robert in the 1880s, became an internationally recognized figure after relocating to the United States in 1933, escaping the Nazi regime’s persecution. Robert, who remained in Italy, faced increasing danger as Benito Mussolini’s anti-Jewish laws took hold. Despite these restrictions, Robert and his family initially felt secure in their home, the Villa Il Focardo, located in the serene Tuscan countryside.
The invasion of Italy by German forces in September 1943 brought an immediate threat. The Einstein family, once secure, found themselves in peril as Jewish roundups intensified. Despite their loyal staff and the expansive grounds of their villa, the family began to consider escape. However, the risks of traveling seemed more daunting than remaining in their home.
On August 3, 1944, soldiers from the elite Hermann Göring Division arrived at Villa Il Focardo searching for Robert Einstein. When they did not find him, they imprisoned his wife, Nina, and their daughters, Luce and Cici, along with several others in the basement. The soldiers interrogated each prisoner, recording their names and ages. In a desperate attempt to protect her family, Nina misled the soldiers, suggesting Robert might be hidden in the woods.
Despite her efforts, the Germans returned to the villa later that evening, separating the women from the others. In a horrifying act of violence, they executed Nina, aged 58, and her daughters Luce, 27, and Cici, 18. After committing these atrocities, the soldiers set the villa ablaze before leaving.
Two days later, British troops liberated the area, finding Robert distraught and tormented by guilt over his family’s fate. Harding recounts a poignant moment where Robert, believing he could have saved them by revealing himself to the Germans, requested a weapon to take his own life. Fortunately, he was not given one.
Subsequently, Major Milton Wexler of the War Crimes Commission was tasked with investigating the murders. Harding notes that despite the small scale of the case, it was unusual for such an investigation to occur, given that many larger atrocities had taken place. The inquiry yielded inconclusive results, and the Italian authorities failed to gather sufficient evidence regarding the identities of the perpetrators.
By the mid-1950s, only thirteen Germans had been convicted of war crimes in Italy, marking a frustratingly slow progression towards justice. Harding’s investigation reveals that, despite various probes in Germany and Italy, no definitive conclusions were reached regarding the soldiers responsible for the killings.
“The Einstein Vendetta” does not provide all the answers, but it offers a harrowing examination of how the Nazi regime relentlessly pursued its targets, leaving devastating impacts on families like that of Albert Einstein. The book serves as a stark reminder of the personal toll of war and the enduring quest for truth and accountability.
