| Brünn and other Memorial to Genocide |
There are many German/Austrian towns throughout history books that have faded away into dust.
We try to find them on a map, but cannot. Brünn, since renamed "Brno", is such a place.
We try to find them on a map, but cannot. Brünn, since renamed "Brno", is such a place.
Meanwhile, from his comfortable exile in London, Czech President
Eduard Benes urged the Czech population through the radio to arm
themselves and murder Germans. Following his suggestion to "take
everything from the Germans, leave them only a handkerchief to weep
into!" and to "collectively liquidate all Germans", Czechs formed into
vigilante groups and by the time the Soviet Army occupied the city on
April 26, 1945, the situation had become lethal for German civilians
with gruesome and horrifying attacks against German civilians. In
Prague Germans were hung head-down from lamp posts and set on fire
as living torches in Benes's honor. The number of victims of the
genocide which followed has been historically cited as 250,000, but
more reliable sources claim no less than 460,000. Benes, left
Eduard Benes urged the Czech population through the radio to arm
themselves and murder Germans. Following his suggestion to "take
everything from the Germans, leave them only a handkerchief to weep
into!" and to "collectively liquidate all Germans", Czechs formed into
vigilante groups and by the time the Soviet Army occupied the city on
April 26, 1945, the situation had become lethal for German civilians
with gruesome and horrifying attacks against German civilians. In
Prague Germans were hung head-down from lamp posts and set on fire
as living torches in Benes's honor. The number of victims of the
genocide which followed has been historically cited as 250,000, but
more reliable sources claim no less than 460,000. Benes, left
By the thousands they were driven towards the remote
Austrian border without food, water or medical assistance. The
majority of the deaths occurred at the first stop in the small,
unprepared town of Pohrlitz, half way between Brünn and the
border to Lower Austria, where many people succumbed to
dysentery, brought on by hunger, exposure, stress and fatigue.
Some, too weak to continue, were shot on the spot. There are
several mass graves here for hundreds of the victims.
Austrian border without food, water or medical assistance. The
majority of the deaths occurred at the first stop in the small,
unprepared town of Pohrlitz, half way between Brünn and the
border to Lower Austria, where many people succumbed to
dysentery, brought on by hunger, exposure, stress and fatigue.
Some, too weak to continue, were shot on the spot. There are
several mass graves here for hundreds of the victims.
| The Brunn Death March: The Brünner Todesmarsch |
After World War II, a dire circumstance developed in the town. After the Americans heavily bombed
Brünn in March and April of 1945 to pave the way for the Communist Red Army and then pushed
forward to enter German territory, the Soviets closed in on Brünn. Among the German population,
only women, children, the disabled and the elderly were left in the city, the men and older boys all
absent or dead. Sheer horror awaited these non-combatant German civilians.
Brünn in March and April of 1945 to pave the way for the Communist Red Army and then pushed
forward to enter German territory, the Soviets closed in on Brünn. Among the German population,
only women, children, the disabled and the elderly were left in the city, the men and older boys all
absent or dead. Sheer horror awaited these non-combatant German civilians.
According to a report published in the New York Times, the Sudeten Germans were allowed to take
with them no more than 500 marks (roughly $50) and a maximum of 300 kilograms of luggage. But
few could keep even a handbag from thieves. Robbed every step of the journey, most ended their
trek with nothing left at all. All along the way they were taunted, tortured, robbed, raped, and many
were murdered and beaten. Many died, too old, too young or too feeble to make such a grueling trek
and bodies lined the roadways. More dead were placed in several cemeteries on the Austrian side in
single graves, and there are large mass graves in Drasenhofen, Mistelbach, Stammersdorf, and
Purkersdorf in Austria but none for those who were murdered before they even left Brünn. Benes
was portrayed as a heroic figure in the Allied media.
with them no more than 500 marks (roughly $50) and a maximum of 300 kilograms of luggage. But
few could keep even a handbag from thieves. Robbed every step of the journey, most ended their
trek with nothing left at all. All along the way they were taunted, tortured, robbed, raped, and many
were murdered and beaten. Many died, too old, too young or too feeble to make such a grueling trek
and bodies lined the roadways. More dead were placed in several cemeteries on the Austrian side in
single graves, and there are large mass graves in Drasenhofen, Mistelbach, Stammersdorf, and
Purkersdorf in Austria but none for those who were murdered before they even left Brünn. Benes
was portrayed as a heroic figure in the Allied media.
Spring came early to Brünn in 1945 and it was especially beautiful. The Easter of 1945 was the
loveliest anybody could ever remember. On April 18, the last two special trains with Germans who
were fleeing the city departed. By May 30, 1945, the 25,000 to 30,000 German women, children and
elderly citizens unable to leave Brünn in time were driven out in a well-organized, genocidal exile.
loveliest anybody could ever remember. On April 18, the last two special trains with Germans who
were fleeing the city departed. By May 30, 1945, the 25,000 to 30,000 German women, children and
elderly citizens unable to leave Brünn in time were driven out in a well-organized, genocidal exile.
German civilians were yanked out of their homes by force,
some naked from their beds, and forced at gunpoint to
assemble on the street in several parts of the city where they
were "marked"an identifying mark, an "N" for "Nemec" (a
German). Most of the males among them were taken away
and shot while, flanked by armed guards, the women were
indecently "prodded" for hidden jewelry and other items of
values they might have tried to take with them. The people
were then driven out like a herd of cattle past cheering crowds.
No stopping was allowed. The old, infirm or exhausted were
simply shoved by the side of the road and shot or left to die.
some naked from their beds, and forced at gunpoint to
assemble on the street in several parts of the city where they
were "marked"an identifying mark, an "N" for "Nemec" (a
German). Most of the males among them were taken away
and shot while, flanked by armed guards, the women were
indecently "prodded" for hidden jewelry and other items of
values they might have tried to take with them. The people
were then driven out like a herd of cattle past cheering crowds.
No stopping was allowed. The old, infirm or exhausted were
simply shoved by the side of the road and shot or left to die.
Atrocities were committed across the land. The massacre of Aussig on July 31, 1945 occured the day
after an explosion of a ammunition depot in Krásné Březno. Immediately, and without trying to find
the guilty parties, all German civilians, who were easily recognizable from the white armlets they
were forced to wear, were rounded up and drowned by a mob using fire hoses to push them off the
Elbe bridge. Survivors were then fired at in the water. The corpses floated into neighbouring Saxony
and 80 corpses were retrieved at Meissen alone and 117 more were found downstream. The number
of the dead from this massacre was indicated for many years as approximately 2,000 ( Czech records
say 40-100 ).
after an explosion of a ammunition depot in Krásné Březno. Immediately, and without trying to find
the guilty parties, all German civilians, who were easily recognizable from the white armlets they
were forced to wear, were rounded up and drowned by a mob using fire hoses to push them off the
Elbe bridge. Survivors were then fired at in the water. The corpses floated into neighbouring Saxony
and 80 corpses were retrieved at Meissen alone and 117 more were found downstream. The number
of the dead from this massacre was indicated for many years as approximately 2,000 ( Czech records
say 40-100 ).
| Collective Guilt for all German Civilians, young and old. |
In Prerau, on June 18/19, 1945, 265 German refugees from the Upper and Unterzips who were in a
railway station were murdered by Czechoslovakian soldiers. They had been evacuated briefly before
end of war and wanted to return to their homeland. They ran into Czechoslovakian soldiers on their
way back from a victory celebration in Prague. The intelligence collection officer Karol Pazúr with
his soldiers forced the 265 defenseless civilians to leave the building and dig a mass grave throughout
the night. They then had to undress to their underwear, deliver all personal objects of value and were
all shot in the neck one by one. Beside the 71 old men and 120 women, there were 74 children
among the murdered, the youngest victim only eight months old. The murderers were never
condemned. Karol Pazur was arrested briefly, but fell under the Benes Czechoslovakian amnesty
law which allowed the mudering of German civilians and he was therefore never punished.
railway station were murdered by Czechoslovakian soldiers. They had been evacuated briefly before
end of war and wanted to return to their homeland. They ran into Czechoslovakian soldiers on their
way back from a victory celebration in Prague. The intelligence collection officer Karol Pazúr with
his soldiers forced the 265 defenseless civilians to leave the building and dig a mass grave throughout
the night. They then had to undress to their underwear, deliver all personal objects of value and were
all shot in the neck one by one. Beside the 71 old men and 120 women, there were 74 children
among the murdered, the youngest victim only eight months old. The murderers were never
condemned. Karol Pazur was arrested briefly, but fell under the Benes Czechoslovakian amnesty
law which allowed the mudering of German civilians and he was therefore never punished.
Brünn was not an isolated event. Komotau (now "Chomutov") was a town in northwestern Bohemia
with 33,492 inhabitants in 1939, 90% of them German and they had been there for centuries.
with 33,492 inhabitants in 1939, 90% of them German and they had been there for centuries.
| Other Czech Death Dances |
The area extends north of the border with Saxony in the middle Erzgebirge region and in the south to
Egerbogen. It was populated by Germans for at least 700 years, and in 1252 it came into the
possession of the Teutonic Order who promoted its further development. German farmers from
Franconia cleared the forests on the mountain slopes and cultivated the first fruit and wine in the
area. Over the centuries, the land blossomed with the labor.
Egerbogen. It was populated by Germans for at least 700 years, and in 1252 it came into the
possession of the Teutonic Order who promoted its further development. German farmers from
Franconia cleared the forests on the mountain slopes and cultivated the first fruit and wine in the
area. Over the centuries, the land blossomed with the labor.
On June 9, 1945, all German male inhabitants of Komotau
from 13 to 65 years of age were forced to gather at the
town playgrounds. First, 15 bystanders of the assembled
crowd were sorted out for protesting and they were
tortured and beaten to death on the spot. A Czech officer
gave a speech saying: "Now the hour of revenge has come,
but revenge should not be practiced, just retribution ...." He
then forced the crowd to sing "Deutschland über alles", lift
their arms and say in chorus: "We thank our leader!"
6,000 or more people, including many aged or infirm men
and young boys, who had gathered were stripped of their
shirts and forced to raise their arms so that any who had
been members of the SS could be found. Those with
markings were tortured in a frenzied fit of sadism.
Gunshots mingled with the screams of the mutilated,
amplified by hysterical cursing and ecstatic laughter from
the torturers.
from 13 to 65 years of age were forced to gather at the
town playgrounds. First, 15 bystanders of the assembled
crowd were sorted out for protesting and they were
tortured and beaten to death on the spot. A Czech officer
gave a speech saying: "Now the hour of revenge has come,
but revenge should not be practiced, just retribution ...." He
then forced the crowd to sing "Deutschland über alles", lift
their arms and say in chorus: "We thank our leader!"
6,000 or more people, including many aged or infirm men
and young boys, who had gathered were stripped of their
shirts and forced to raise their arms so that any who had
been members of the SS could be found. Those with
markings were tortured in a frenzied fit of sadism.
Gunshots mingled with the screams of the mutilated,
amplified by hysterical cursing and ecstatic laughter from
the torturers.
Thereafter, the names of about 120 men who were to be employed in vital establishments (which
Germans were initially required to operate) were announced and they were led away. The rest, the
whole male population of the city, were marched in six columns out of town and on toward the
mountainous road into their slavery. Prodded by armed Czechs who shot those who became sick or
exhausted and could not continue, soldiers with machine guns rode on trucks at the rear as the parade
was driven like animals to the slaughter. The exact number of those killed in this part of the march
alone is estimated at more than 70. When the first night came, several succeeded in escaping. Having
no food for 4 days, they had only grass to eat and were tormented by thirst. On they continued,
resting briefly at night, and on the third day they found out what their destination was: the slave-labor
camp at the coal basin of Maltheuern (Zálužie). 250 young local boys had previously been sent to
this camp in the very early days after war.
Germans were initially required to operate) were announced and they were led away. The rest, the
whole male population of the city, were marched in six columns out of town and on toward the
mountainous road into their slavery. Prodded by armed Czechs who shot those who became sick or
exhausted and could not continue, soldiers with machine guns rode on trucks at the rear as the parade
was driven like animals to the slaughter. The exact number of those killed in this part of the march
alone is estimated at more than 70. When the first night came, several succeeded in escaping. Having
no food for 4 days, they had only grass to eat and were tormented by thirst. On they continued,
resting briefly at night, and on the third day they found out what their destination was: the slave-labor
camp at the coal basin of Maltheuern (Zálužie). 250 young local boys had previously been sent to
this camp in the very early days after war.
After arrival on August 10, 1945, they were again searched for any remaining possessions. Being
found with even a small piece of soap, a pencil, or especially money met violent abuse. The German
Communists and Social Democrats in the group were at first protected by a red armband, but they
still had to work as slaves like all other Germans, and by September of 1945 the armbands came off.
German children from age 13 were worked as adults. Fifteen of the group developed with pulmonary
tuberculosis and were shot to death. Another slave was shot in front of the whole group when it was
discovered he had cut a piece of his belt to fix the soles of his shoe. The commander used one lad as
a "court jester" and in a "show" for his guests, he put a hat on the slave's head to shoot at and in the
process, shot through the head. Because he was not quite dead, he was given two shots to the heart.
found with even a small piece of soap, a pencil, or especially money met violent abuse. The German
Communists and Social Democrats in the group were at first protected by a red armband, but they
still had to work as slaves like all other Germans, and by September of 1945 the armbands came off.
German children from age 13 were worked as adults. Fifteen of the group developed with pulmonary
tuberculosis and were shot to death. Another slave was shot in front of the whole group when it was
discovered he had cut a piece of his belt to fix the soles of his shoe. The commander used one lad as
a "court jester" and in a "show" for his guests, he put a hat on the slave's head to shoot at and in the
process, shot through the head. Because he was not quite dead, he was given two shots to the heart.
The slaves were subjected to daily beatings, torture sessions and constant humiliation. After regular
beatings from fists, whips and the rubber cords, the victims had to spend hours in the blazing sun. If
they passed out, saltwater was squirted into the eyes of the unconscious or their mustache or eye
lashes with lit with burning matches until they came to. The guards also liked to jump on their bodies.
The orgy of beatings continued until the tormentors tired from exhaustion or those groaning in death
were no longer fun. So deep was their hatred of the Germans whose properties they had stolen.
Most of the Germans did not survive the conditions in this concentration camp, although 200 to 300
lucky ones were eventually sent to eastern Germany.
beatings from fists, whips and the rubber cords, the victims had to spend hours in the blazing sun. If
they passed out, saltwater was squirted into the eyes of the unconscious or their mustache or eye
lashes with lit with burning matches until they came to. The guards also liked to jump on their bodies.
The orgy of beatings continued until the tormentors tired from exhaustion or those groaning in death
were no longer fun. So deep was their hatred of the Germans whose properties they had stolen.
Most of the Germans did not survive the conditions in this concentration camp, although 200 to 300
lucky ones were eventually sent to eastern Germany.
In 1396, it received a town charter and in 1416 the Knights sold both town to Wenceslaus IV. After
several changes in ownership, the town purchased its freedom in 1605 and became a royal city. In
1594, it came under Habsburg rule. It had an old Gothic church, and its townhall was the former
commandery of the Teutonic knights. In the industrial revolution, cloth, linen and paper mills were
built, and dyeing houses, breweries, distilleries and vinegar works sprouted up, and the central
workshops of the railway were located here later. There were also lignite mines in the area.
several changes in ownership, the town purchased its freedom in 1605 and became a royal city. In
1594, it came under Habsburg rule. It had an old Gothic church, and its townhall was the former
commandery of the Teutonic knights. In the industrial revolution, cloth, linen and paper mills were
built, and dyeing houses, breweries, distilleries and vinegar works sprouted up, and the central
workshops of the railway were located here later. There were also lignite mines in the area.
On Sunday June 3, 1945, the army ordered all ethnic German
non-combatant males, mostly old men and young boys, in
Zatec to gather on the market square, from where they were
forced to march at gunpoint to Postoloprty. They were forced
to run around the square and sing "Nazi" songs and those who
didn't run or did not know the lyrics were flogged. Then, group
by group, they were led out to be methodically executed, many
forced to dig their own graves.
non-combatant males, mostly old men and young boys, in
Zatec to gather on the market square, from where they were
forced to march at gunpoint to Postoloprty. They were forced
to run around the square and sing "Nazi" songs and those who
didn't run or did not know the lyrics were flogged. Then, group
by group, they were led out to be methodically executed, many
forced to dig their own graves.
This time is referred to as the "wild expulsions," when ethnic Germans
were being hunted down and murdered all over Czechoslovakia. Benes
told his audience "what the Germans have done in our lands since 1938
will be revenged on them multifold and mercilessly", and Sergej Ingr,
the commander-in-chief of Czech forces who issued calls from his own
exile in England said to: "Beat them, kill them, let nobody survive."
Teen aged German boys were especially targeted.
were being hunted down and murdered all over Czechoslovakia. Benes
told his audience "what the Germans have done in our lands since 1938
will be revenged on them multifold and mercilessly", and Sergej Ingr,
the commander-in-chief of Czech forces who issued calls from his own
exile in England said to: "Beat them, kill them, let nobody survive."
Teen aged German boys were especially targeted.
But by far, one of the largest planned murder of German civilians took place in the small village of
Postelberg (now Postoloprty) in province of Saaz (now Zatec) in Bohemia. It had been a German
town since the 12th century. When the Soviet army pulled out of the newly "liberated" area of
Postoloprty and Zatec, soldiers of the 1st Czechoslovakian Corps moved in and mounted attacks on
the region's trapped ethnic Germans with help from civilian Czechs who wanted their real estate.
Postelberg (now Postoloprty) in province of Saaz (now Zatec) in Bohemia. It had been a German
town since the 12th century. When the Soviet army pulled out of the newly "liberated" area of
Postoloprty and Zatec, soldiers of the 1st Czechoslovakian Corps moved in and mounted attacks on
the region's trapped ethnic Germans with help from civilian Czechs who wanted their real estate.
The largest mass grave, containing almost 500 bodies of men executed in stages by soldiers, with the
enthusiastic backing of the local population, was later discovered in a former pheasant farm out of
town. To hide their actions from the world, in August 1947, in a top-secret operation, several mass
graves were dug up by soldiers from the unit No 2142 from Theresienstadt, and hundreds of bodies
were removed and cremated. There is little doubt that there were many more victims whose bodies
were never found. Any official documents about "the events in Postoloprty" disappeared into the
Interior Ministry archives to the relief of the postwar residents of Postoloprty and Zatec, who now
lived in the houses of the killed or displaced Germans and enjoyed all of their possessions.
enthusiastic backing of the local population, was later discovered in a former pheasant farm out of
town. To hide their actions from the world, in August 1947, in a top-secret operation, several mass
graves were dug up by soldiers from the unit No 2142 from Theresienstadt, and hundreds of bodies
were removed and cremated. There is little doubt that there were many more victims whose bodies
were never found. Any official documents about "the events in Postoloprty" disappeared into the
Interior Ministry archives to the relief of the postwar residents of Postoloprty and Zatec, who now
lived in the houses of the killed or displaced Germans and enjoyed all of their possessions.
A Czech reporter stumbled upon the crime in the mid-90s and with a collegue, began investigating.
They soon met with violent resistance and threats. Since then there have been requests for some soirt
of memorial, but residents insist that if there is one it must be worded in such a way that the victims
deserved what they got.
They soon met with violent resistance and threats. Since then there have been requests for some soirt
of memorial, but residents insist that if there is one it must be worded in such a way that the victims
deserved what they got.
There was other mass graves in Postberg for the murdered Germans: one with 34 corpses, a grave in
Weinberg with 4 corpses, one in an old sand pit with 26 corpses, at Lewanitzer 349 corpses and also
103 corpses in two other graves, in a sand pit by Kreuz 10 corpses, in one house 7 corpses, in a
grave at the school another 225 corpses and at the military barracks, 5 corpses.
Weinberg with 4 corpses, one in an old sand pit with 26 corpses, at Lewanitzer 349 corpses and also
103 corpses in two other graves, in a sand pit by Kreuz 10 corpses, in one house 7 corpses, in a
grave at the school another 225 corpses and at the military barracks, 5 corpses.
Hundreds of Germans who had not fled their homes were herded together on the parade ground, just
a month after the end of war. First, five boys from ages 12 to 15 who had hidden from the revenge
seeking Czechs were discovered. They were flogged until their skin shed and then shot with rifles in
full view of the others, who were held back at gunpoint. They did not die quickly. One of the boys
who survived the initial burst of gunfire and beating begged to go to his mother, but he was shot
again, this time mortally. In the space of the following days, 1,995 more Germans were murdered in
cold blood in this location.
a month after the end of war. First, five boys from ages 12 to 15 who had hidden from the revenge
seeking Czechs were discovered. They were flogged until their skin shed and then shot with rifles in
full view of the others, who were held back at gunpoint. They did not die quickly. One of the boys
who survived the initial burst of gunfire and beating begged to go to his mother, but he was shot
again, this time mortally. In the space of the following days, 1,995 more Germans were murdered in
cold blood in this location.
This was arranged and accomplished predominantly with the
help of Czech workers of the Brünn weapon works. Excited
and anxious for the anticipated loot and free real estate, they
were supervised by Czech staff captain Bedřich Pokorný.
help of Czech workers of the Brünn weapon works. Excited
and anxious for the anticipated loot and free real estate, they
were supervised by Czech staff captain Bedřich Pokorný.
The sorry procession of women, children and old people needed two days to reach the Austrian
border, only to find more misery. For weeks and even months they had to vegetate in primitive
camps because the Russian troops that occupied Austria did not permit them to cross the border.
Even more of them died.
border, only to find more misery. For weeks and even months they had to vegetate in primitive
camps because the Russian troops that occupied Austria did not permit them to cross the border.
Even more of them died.
One victim was flayed and salt rubbed into his open flesh, another held while his genitals were
burned with a lit newspaper. In all manner of grotesque punishments, they were eliminated one by
one in front of their horrified friends and families. The head of this action was Staff Captain Prášil
who was subsequently promoted to Major.
burned with a lit newspaper. In all manner of grotesque punishments, they were eliminated one by
one in front of their horrified friends and families. The head of this action was Staff Captain Prášil
who was subsequently promoted to Major.