The Nazi's revived the idea of beheading with a typically sadistic twist. Rather then having the person to be executed placed face down they would place them face up so they could see the blade coming. Thereby increasing the terror of their last few seconds.
a.cricket
Ahhhh yes, the Nazi "falbeil" (literally, "sword-falling machine"). An all-metal, high-powered guillotine... the kind used to execute the members of the White Rose conspirators.
Just plum brutal.