Christopher Verga Unveils New Book on Nazi Activities in Long Island

Christopher Verga, an American history instructor at Suffolk Community College and a reporter with Schneps Media, has released his latest book, Nazis of Long Island: Sedition, Espionage & the Plot Against America. This work delves into the presence of Nazi sympathizers in Long Island during the World War II era, exploring events that have been largely overlooked in American history.

Verga, who also authored other notable works such as Saving Fire Island from Robert Moses and Cold War Long Island, presents a detailed investigation into the activities of the German American Bund and their influence in the region. His new book highlights a shocking incident from 1947, when four Nazi agents arrived on Long Island’s Amagansett beach, disguised as fishermen. Equipped with $175,000 (approximately $3 million today) for sabotage, their objective was to disrupt American infrastructure and incite chaos.

The book recounts the extensive efforts by the German American Bund to propagate antisemitic ideology through summer camps and rallies. One such camp, Camp Siegfried in Yaphank, was modeled after similar facilities in Nazi Germany. Children were indoctrinated with ideologies promoting militarism and hatred, with alarming slogans that incited violence against Jews.

Verga also discusses the troubling local political landscape. He notes the presence of the Ku Klux Klan on Long Island and the complicity of local officials who supported Nazi ideologies. This environment fostered a toxic mix of fear and distrust toward “city values,” propelling the acceptance of antisemitic literature, such as the notorious Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

Despite this dark chapter, there was significant resistance to Nazi activities in New York. In 1935, a massive protest featuring 10,000 demonstrators marched through Eighth Avenue, demanding the U.S. withdraw from the Berlin Olympics. Although the government did not act on these demands, the public outcry led to increased scrutiny of the Bund.

Verga recounts a rally in 1939 at Madison Square Garden, where Bund leader Fritz Julius Kuhn attempted to link American patriotism with Nazi ideology. The stage was shockingly decorated with swastikas alongside American flags and portraits of George Washington, prompting public outrage and letters to Mayor La Guardia urging him to cancel the event.

The fallout from these movements culminated in the dismantling of the Duquesne Spy Ring in 1941, which included spies like Everett Roeder, who provided critical military intelligence to the Nazis. Roeder received a 16-year prison sentence for his actions.

Verga’s work is timely, especially in light of contemporary incidents of antisemitism and hate crimes. He emphasizes the importance of understanding this history to prevent its repetition. As noted in the foreword by award-winning journalist Karl Grossman, “There is no present or future—only the past happening over and over again—now.”

The book includes a range of historical photographs, letters, and drawings that illuminate this troubling past. Christopher Verga’s Nazis of Long Island serves as a crucial reminder of the persistent threats of bigotry and the importance of acknowledging history to foster a more inclusive society.