"I am not making spiteful assertions now but merely stating the facts-that, for instance, among Hungarian generals there is such a considerable percentage of men of German origin, who of course had, in most cases, to alter their names if they wanted to get anywhere"
- Heinrich Himmler
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This quote by Heinrich Himmler is referring to the truth that a large portion of Hungarian generals have German origins. Himmler is not making any malicious claims, however merely specifying the facts. He is indicating that a number of these generals had to change their names in order to advance in their careers. This could be viewed as a reflection of the political environment of the time, where German ancestry was viewed as a drawback. Himmler's quote is a pointer of the discrimination that individuals of German origin dealt with in Hungary throughout this period. It also functions as a reminder of the significance of identity and how it can shape one's life and career.
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