| "Liberation" and its Deadly Aftermath |
| Refugees in Leipzig after the War |
What happened to the thousands of wandering refugees after war's
end? Hunger, illness, confusion, injury and emotional trauma reigned.
Families had lost their homes and farms. They were split up and
scattered into unfamiliar areas, their children torn from their arms and
their fathers and sons missing or dead. Refugees with relatives or
friends to rely upon were lucky if they had the capacity to make the
journey and if their contacts were still alive and in surviving houses
themselves. Others faced long stays in crowded, harsh refugee camps.
end? Hunger, illness, confusion, injury and emotional trauma reigned.
Families had lost their homes and farms. They were split up and
scattered into unfamiliar areas, their children torn from their arms and
their fathers and sons missing or dead. Refugees with relatives or
friends to rely upon were lucky if they had the capacity to make the
journey and if their contacts were still alive and in surviving houses
themselves. Others faced long stays in crowded, harsh refugee camps.
The first refugee camps in Leipzig developed in January, 1945 when Central Germany was affected
for the first time by the escape waves of people fleeing East Prussia. Later, exiled Silesian and
Sudeten Germans flocked to cities for help. They were put up in private homes, zoos, high schools,
auditoriums and restaurants. Americans were greeted in Leipzig on April 18, 1945 with white flags.
for the first time by the escape waves of people fleeing East Prussia. Later, exiled Silesian and
Sudeten Germans flocked to cities for help. They were put up in private homes, zoos, high schools,
auditoriums and restaurants. Americans were greeted in Leipzig on April 18, 1945 with white flags.
Nobody realized at the time that they had been "sold out" to the Red
Army. The Allies immediately issued regulations that, among other things,
imposed curfews and closing hours and forbade the publication of
newspapers and the use of cameras, which were confiscated. Under the
Americans, bread rations for the population was only 200 grams for
young people, 170 grams for adults and 100 grams for children per day.
Army. The Allies immediately issued regulations that, among other things,
imposed curfews and closing hours and forbade the publication of
newspapers and the use of cameras, which were confiscated. Under the
Americans, bread rations for the population was only 200 grams for
young people, 170 grams for adults and 100 grams for children per day.
The assignment of the food maps was graduated mainly by work status, so non-laboring housewives
and pensioners had a diet containing neither fat nor meat. Among the refugees, there were many old
people and women who, because they had to supply small children, were exempted from the forced
work details and therefore had very little to eat. A “dwelling law” put forth by the temporary Allied
occupation forces had decreed that "victims of fascism" and immigrant workers were to be given first
preference to housing and the needy second preference, while the refugees did not even rank among
the groups privileged by the law! Average floor space was calculated for eight square meters per
person, with children under fourteen years old ranked as half a human by the Americans.
and pensioners had a diet containing neither fat nor meat. Among the refugees, there were many old
people and women who, because they had to supply small children, were exempted from the forced
work details and therefore had very little to eat. A “dwelling law” put forth by the temporary Allied
occupation forces had decreed that "victims of fascism" and immigrant workers were to be given first
preference to housing and the needy second preference, while the refugees did not even rank among
the groups privileged by the law! Average floor space was calculated for eight square meters per
person, with children under fourteen years old ranked as half a human by the Americans.
After the establishment of a central administration for "re-settlers" at the end of September, 1945,
efforts were undertaken to end the chaotic situation in Saxony and to settle thousands of refugees in
a more orderly manner. In order to enforce this, a halt was called to all refugee movements from
October 1, 1945.
efforts were undertaken to end the chaotic situation in Saxony and to settle thousands of refugees in
a more orderly manner. In order to enforce this, a halt was called to all refugee movements from
October 1, 1945.
Churchill's final solution to the German problem was proving deadly. After 1947, another 25,000
people gained admission to Leipzig, and then another 38,000. Leipzig's standard of 8.8 square meters
of floor space had to be lowered. The catastrophic housing conditions caused already traumatized
people to become ill and disabled. Strangers shared housing, and often five or more persons had to
live in one or two rooms without a kitchen and with a continuing shortage of food, sanitation,
furnaces and private sleeping places. Most refugees had no money. Despite the emergency housing
dilemma, in July, 1947 the Soviet military administration demanded the evacuation of approximately
one thousand dwellings north of the city to be handed over to Soviet commercial companies.
people gained admission to Leipzig, and then another 38,000. Leipzig's standard of 8.8 square meters
of floor space had to be lowered. The catastrophic housing conditions caused already traumatized
people to become ill and disabled. Strangers shared housing, and often five or more persons had to
live in one or two rooms without a kitchen and with a continuing shortage of food, sanitation,
furnaces and private sleeping places. Most refugees had no money. Despite the emergency housing
dilemma, in July, 1947 the Soviet military administration demanded the evacuation of approximately
one thousand dwellings north of the city to be handed over to Soviet commercial companies.
Only in 1948 was a slow improvement in the living conditions of the refugees
finally discerned. Until the stop of all refugee movements in Leipzig, 71,324
“re-settlers” had gone through the Leipzig camp. In 1950, more than half of the
Leipzigers were still not in their own home, but in officially assigned dwellings,
and 78,000 out of 93,707 refugees still lived in the city. The situation did not
begin to remedy itself until the early 1960s. Information from the State Ministry,
Saxony
finally discerned. Until the stop of all refugee movements in Leipzig, 71,324
“re-settlers” had gone through the Leipzig camp. In 1950, more than half of the
Leipzigers were still not in their own home, but in officially assigned dwellings,
and 78,000 out of 93,707 refugees still lived in the city. The situation did not
begin to remedy itself until the early 1960s. Information from the State Ministry,
Saxony
The plight of the desperate refugees began first with a severe shortage
of housing. From the year 1943, thousands of Leipzig houses had been
damaged or destroyed by Allied bombing.
of housing. From the year 1943, thousands of Leipzig houses had been
damaged or destroyed by Allied bombing.
At the same time, the naturalization of all refugees in Saxony was arranged. For the city of Leipzig
this meant naturalization of almost 28,000 additional people during a time of incredible hardship for
everyone. Worse was to come. The “arranged evacuation” of the remaining Germans who were
forced out of their homes in Poland and Czechoslovakia began in summer, 1946, and turned a crisis
into a calamity. Saxony alone was assigned 400,000 more refugees. Since most refugees came in the
last months of the year, winter was already upon them and many wanted to remain in the camps,
where, despite disadvantages, at least there was heat and meagre food.
this meant naturalization of almost 28,000 additional people during a time of incredible hardship for
everyone. Worse was to come. The “arranged evacuation” of the remaining Germans who were
forced out of their homes in Poland and Czechoslovakia began in summer, 1946, and turned a crisis
into a calamity. Saxony alone was assigned 400,000 more refugees. Since most refugees came in the
last months of the year, winter was already upon them and many wanted to remain in the camps,
where, despite disadvantages, at least there was heat and meagre food.
Those who didn't comply with the degrading re-education process inflicted by the new communist
masters were enemies of the state. The brutality used to obliterate "nationalism" extended to
executions, prison or life in the far away gulag. Countless thousands simply vanished. Even the
distribution of old folk songs could be punishable by prison, and Germans were forced to accept
collective guilt. The secret police system made sure that nobody stepped out of line. For refugees
from the east who got caught in these areas, the treatment, especially of females, was severe.
masters were enemies of the state. The brutality used to obliterate "nationalism" extended to
executions, prison or life in the far away gulag. Countless thousands simply vanished. Even the
distribution of old folk songs could be punishable by prison, and Germans were forced to accept
collective guilt. The secret police system made sure that nobody stepped out of line. For refugees
from the east who got caught in these areas, the treatment, especially of females, was severe.
The "MfS" workers operated a political persecution ring where they arrested opponents of the ruling
communists. Among punishment offenses were: desire to travel, open criticism of state politics,
political association formation, contacts to western politicians, public demonstrations, escape into the
west and/or assistance with the escape of others. They employed wiretapping, room bugs, informers,
letter interception, long-term observation, threats and entrance to all data from patient documents to
school notes. A special method was "decomposition," the use of psychological warfare on an
individual basis, including the use of anonymous letters, starting rumors, visiting places of
employment and intimidating employers, causing controversy within friendships, threatening the
family, financial ruination, harassing citations, destruction of life on an everyday basis.
communists. Among punishment offenses were: desire to travel, open criticism of state politics,
political association formation, contacts to western politicians, public demonstrations, escape into the
west and/or assistance with the escape of others. They employed wiretapping, room bugs, informers,
letter interception, long-term observation, threats and entrance to all data from patient documents to
school notes. A special method was "decomposition," the use of psychological warfare on an
individual basis, including the use of anonymous letters, starting rumors, visiting places of
employment and intimidating employers, causing controversy within friendships, threatening the
family, financial ruination, harassing citations, destruction of life on an everyday basis.
Under Soviet military occupation, Thuringia, as all of Eastern Germany, suffered from political and
religious oppression and devastating cultural destruction, when, after the horrendous British and
American bombing, massive looting and plundering took place by the Soviets of nearly all old state
treasures, most never to be returned, followed by the typical communist decay. The historical bond,
that fragile interaction which had for centuries uniquely woven the diverse regions of German lands
together with a thread of mutual cultural identity, was forever shattered physically and spiritually.
Regional dialects, customs, music and dress in many cases became obsolete and even outlawed.
religious oppression and devastating cultural destruction, when, after the horrendous British and
American bombing, massive looting and plundering took place by the Soviets of nearly all old state
treasures, most never to be returned, followed by the typical communist decay. The historical bond,
that fragile interaction which had for centuries uniquely woven the diverse regions of German lands
together with a thread of mutual cultural identity, was forever shattered physically and spiritually.
Regional dialects, customs, music and dress in many cases became obsolete and even outlawed.
Occupying Americans in war torn Thuringia, the land of Bach and Luther, "liberated" it just long
enough to turn it all over to the Red Army for enslavement. In the Thuringer area, the communist
GDR, for stated reasons of " public security," instituted areas of detention for political prisoners.
From 1950 to 1989, an insidious internal spy agency existed with a military structure and over
90,000 workers. In Thuringia there were district offices in over 30 cities.
enough to turn it all over to the Red Army for enslavement. In the Thuringer area, the communist
GDR, for stated reasons of " public security," instituted areas of detention for political prisoners.
From 1950 to 1989, an insidious internal spy agency existed with a military structure and over
90,000 workers. In Thuringia there were district offices in over 30 cities.
When all of the heroic rhetoric subsides, reality gradually takes its place. Within Eastern German regions which were
hacked up and parceled out to the communists, "liberation" led to enslavement for decades. Subjected to brutal policies
calculated to break the will of the people, thousands upon thousands of innocent people were murdered, oppressed,
raped, tortured and exiled with no accountability then or now. Roosevelt and Churchill had eagerly agreed to Stalin's
genocidal policies, and in the aftermath of war it was the innocent who paid the price. Seven million Germans were left
homeless from Allied bombing, and millions of refugees were homeless by virtue of being expelled from their homelands.
The refugee problem was therefore of a momentous proportion and what took place in Leipzig is typical of many cities.
hacked up and parceled out to the communists, "liberation" led to enslavement for decades. Subjected to brutal policies
calculated to break the will of the people, thousands upon thousands of innocent people were murdered, oppressed,
raped, tortured and exiled with no accountability then or now. Roosevelt and Churchill had eagerly agreed to Stalin's
genocidal policies, and in the aftermath of war it was the innocent who paid the price. Seven million Germans were left
homeless from Allied bombing, and millions of refugees were homeless by virtue of being expelled from their homelands.
The refugee problem was therefore of a momentous proportion and what took place in Leipzig is typical of many cities.
Within the Soviet zone of occupation, some refugees were sent over the borders, resulting in strong
objection from adjacent provinces who were battling with their own refugee crisis. Usually the
neighboring authorities sent the refugees back to Saxony, some numerous times, ostensibly to prevent
the spread of epidemic disease. This resulted in even more trauma for the exhausted refugees. When
the surrounding frontier was closed, certain cities such as Leipzig were subjected to the in-pouring of
thousands of frightened and weary human beings who had accumulated in the area. Where would
they live? How would they eat? This was a terrible problem all across devastated German lands.
objection from adjacent provinces who were battling with their own refugee crisis. Usually the
neighboring authorities sent the refugees back to Saxony, some numerous times, ostensibly to prevent
the spread of epidemic disease. This resulted in even more trauma for the exhausted refugees. When
the surrounding frontier was closed, certain cities such as Leipzig were subjected to the in-pouring of
thousands of frightened and weary human beings who had accumulated in the area. Where would
they live? How would they eat? This was a terrible problem all across devastated German lands.
A decree was issued on August 2, 1945 prohibiting the further influx of refugees, and on August 7th,
the Leipzig welfare office suggested that any future refugees should receive only one night of
accommodation in the Leipzig transit camp. The Red Cross tried to supply these people with at least
with one warm meal and bread and jam for their forthcoming travels. Some refugees walked
aimlessly for months in hunger, pain and confusion. Dead refugees on the roadsides and small
children wandering alone aimlessly and dazed were a common sight. Typhus broke out and there
was a malaria epidemic in the damp Leipzig camps from 1945-49, especially hard on some refugees
who were situated in old prison camps in swampy areas.
the Leipzig welfare office suggested that any future refugees should receive only one night of
accommodation in the Leipzig transit camp. The Red Cross tried to supply these people with at least
with one warm meal and bread and jam for their forthcoming travels. Some refugees walked
aimlessly for months in hunger, pain and confusion. Dead refugees on the roadsides and small
children wandering alone aimlessly and dazed were a common sight. Typhus broke out and there
was a malaria epidemic in the damp Leipzig camps from 1945-49, especially hard on some refugees
who were situated in old prison camps in swampy areas.
Of 221,178 dwellings, 28,178 were completely destroyed and 93,000 were damaged, thus 20 per
cent of the native Leipzig inhabitants had become homeless. These citizens also had to be
accommodated in the dwellings of others or in emergency shelters and camps. Sizable buildings still
standing, such as the university, were seized, and the evacuation of a large number of dwellings was
demanded, but it was not enough. The old Leipzig mansions were seized, but proved impractical for
conversion. There was not only a housing crisis, but an absence of urgently needed clothing, food,
furnishings as well as a lack of furnaces, fuel and cooking stoves.
cent of the native Leipzig inhabitants had become homeless. These citizens also had to be
accommodated in the dwellings of others or in emergency shelters and camps. Sizable buildings still
standing, such as the university, were seized, and the evacuation of a large number of dwellings was
demanded, but it was not enough. The old Leipzig mansions were seized, but proved impractical for
conversion. There was not only a housing crisis, but an absence of urgently needed clothing, food,
furnishings as well as a lack of furnaces, fuel and cooking stoves.
The refugees, created by Allied bombing and Allied policies set at Yalta, were starving. The
Americans prepared to leave July 2, 1945 and the end of their occupation surprised the Leipzigers
who suddenly received a message that Russian troops were in the advance. Indeed, they were in the
city the next day. Because of the two zones of occupation, traditional supply lines to Leipzig had
been cut off and the infrastructure was destroyed. Conditions worsened in the entire Soviet zone of
occupation until a uniform food map system was inserted much later, which consisted of categories.
Americans prepared to leave July 2, 1945 and the end of their occupation surprised the Leipzigers
who suddenly received a message that Russian troops were in the advance. Indeed, they were in the
city the next day. Because of the two zones of occupation, traditional supply lines to Leipzig had
been cut off and the infrastructure was destroyed. Conditions worsened in the entire Soviet zone of
occupation until a uniform food map system was inserted much later, which consisted of categories.
| A Secret Police Story |
While Aachen civilians were living in cellars, old air raid shelters
or bunkers without heat, electricity, gas, or running water amid
the stench and rubble in their once proud city, many G;I;s were
shamelessly looting. The civilians ate whatever they could find,
even rodents; cabbage soup and potatoes were the only diet for
most. After several months, a 1,500-calorie ration was allowed
by the occupiers which worked out to 5 1/2 slices of bread, 3
medium- size potatoes, 3 tablespoons of oatmeal or other cereal,
1 teaspoon of fat, and 1 teaspoon of sugar daily. Of the total
1,500 calories allowed, 1,200 were in bread and potatoes.
or bunkers without heat, electricity, gas, or running water amid
the stench and rubble in their once proud city, many G;I;s were
shamelessly looting. The civilians ate whatever they could find,
even rodents; cabbage soup and potatoes were the only diet for
most. After several months, a 1,500-calorie ration was allowed
by the occupiers which worked out to 5 1/2 slices of bread, 3
medium- size potatoes, 3 tablespoons of oatmeal or other cereal,
1 teaspoon of fat, and 1 teaspoon of sugar daily. Of the total
1,500 calories allowed, 1,200 were in bread and potatoes.
A strict curfew was imposed, all cameras and weapons were required
to be turned into authorities, and even gossip was strictly censored. In
Military court, people were dealt with harshly. One defendant got 20
years in prison for "spreading rumors prejudicial to Allied interests".
Another man was sentenced for "holding a public meeting" after he'd
hired a carpenter to repair his house and a crowd had gathered to watch
the work. There were non-fraternization cases against civilians, usually
German women that GIs were caught spending time with.
to be turned into authorities, and even gossip was strictly censored. In
Military court, people were dealt with harshly. One defendant got 20
years in prison for "spreading rumors prejudicial to Allied interests".
Another man was sentenced for "holding a public meeting" after he'd
hired a carpenter to repair his house and a crowd had gathered to watch
the work. There were non-fraternization cases against civilians, usually
German women that GIs were caught spending time with.
The U.S. Psychological Warfare Division, SHAEF, implemented its well-crafted psychological
propaganda campaign for the purpose of developing within the Germans a sense of collective guilt
and responsibility. Using the American controlled German media, they launched an intense campaign
to shock and humiliate the German public into accepting that they were all guilty of crimes against
humanity in one form or another. Also, to "create an image of the occupation in the German mind"
and enforce "democratization", criticism of the Allied occupiers was made illegal, as was uttering any
disapproval of Allied actions during the war, including the civilian bombing campaigns. Captains
from "Psychological Warfare" units supervised the conversion of the German people to what they
purported to be "American ideals and values".
propaganda campaign for the purpose of developing within the Germans a sense of collective guilt
and responsibility. Using the American controlled German media, they launched an intense campaign
to shock and humiliate the German public into accepting that they were all guilty of crimes against
humanity in one form or another. Also, to "create an image of the occupation in the German mind"
and enforce "democratization", criticism of the Allied occupiers was made illegal, as was uttering any
disapproval of Allied actions during the war, including the civilian bombing campaigns. Captains
from "Psychological Warfare" units supervised the conversion of the German people to what they
purported to be "American ideals and values".
Occasionally, a piece of meat or fish "one half the size of an egg" and three tablespoons of
vegetables other than potatoes was authorized. There was no economy and no stores were open.
The Americans took over the Aachen coal mines, hiring what few employees they could find who
worked for nothing more than the hope of a noon meal, which most took home to their families.
U.S. President Harry S. Truman refused to alleviate the induced famine of the German population
in December, 1945, stating : “though all Germans might not be guilty for the war, it would be too
difficult to try to single out for better treatment those who had nothing to do with the Nazi regime
and its crimes.” Collective guilt was the word of the day. While the American occupiers were forcing
women to bury the dead dug out of the rubble, they calculated that a supply of one egg per person
per month, a pint of milk per week for each child under ten and a half pound of butter per month
per family was adequate nourishment. By the spring of 1946, the official rations allowed to civilians
had fallen to 1275 calories, although some areas were probably not receiving consumer rations of
much more than 700 calories per day. These allotments were well below the minimum necessary to
maintain health and the capacity for productive labor. But chemicals were apparently not in short
supply: Civilians were routinely dusted with DDT to prevent typhus. Soon, Eisenhower’s policy of
denazification was instituted upon a depressed, hungry and mostly female and child population.
vegetables other than potatoes was authorized. There was no economy and no stores were open.
The Americans took over the Aachen coal mines, hiring what few employees they could find who
worked for nothing more than the hope of a noon meal, which most took home to their families.
U.S. President Harry S. Truman refused to alleviate the induced famine of the German population
in December, 1945, stating : “though all Germans might not be guilty for the war, it would be too
difficult to try to single out for better treatment those who had nothing to do with the Nazi regime
and its crimes.” Collective guilt was the word of the day. While the American occupiers were forcing
women to bury the dead dug out of the rubble, they calculated that a supply of one egg per person
per month, a pint of milk per week for each child under ten and a half pound of butter per month
per family was adequate nourishment. By the spring of 1946, the official rations allowed to civilians
had fallen to 1275 calories, although some areas were probably not receiving consumer rations of
much more than 700 calories per day. These allotments were well below the minimum necessary to
maintain health and the capacity for productive labor. But chemicals were apparently not in short
supply: Civilians were routinely dusted with DDT to prevent typhus. Soon, Eisenhower’s policy of
denazification was instituted upon a depressed, hungry and mostly female and child population.
| Making the World Safe for Brainwashing |
Adults residing in the US occupied zone were separated as major
offenders, offenders, lesser offenders, followers, and free persons.
By the beginning of 1947, 90,000 alleged Nazis were being held in
concentration camps, another 1,900,000 were forbidden to work as
anything but manual workers. In April 1946, a special law transferred
the denazification process to 545 civilian courts set up under German
administration and supervised by puppet German ministers who were
politically leftist and even communist. This lasted until the onset of the
Cold War. Left: Original news photo from the San Francisco Examiner dated
March 5, 1945. Caption reads "German Women Rounded Up in Holsthum--Two
German women are escorted through the wreckage in Holstmum, seven miles
southwest of Bitburg in Germany, by an American infantryman during mopping
up operations in the area captured during a drive on Bitburg."
offenders, offenders, lesser offenders, followers, and free persons.
By the beginning of 1947, 90,000 alleged Nazis were being held in
concentration camps, another 1,900,000 were forbidden to work as
anything but manual workers. In April 1946, a special law transferred
the denazification process to 545 civilian courts set up under German
administration and supervised by puppet German ministers who were
politically leftist and even communist. This lasted until the onset of the
Cold War. Left: Original news photo from the San Francisco Examiner dated
March 5, 1945. Caption reads "German Women Rounded Up in Holsthum--Two
German women are escorted through the wreckage in Holstmum, seven miles
southwest of Bitburg in Germany, by an American infantryman during mopping
up operations in the area captured during a drive on Bitburg."
“. . . In Berlin, in August 1945, out of 2,866 children born, 1148 died, and it was summer, and the food more
plentiful than now. . . From Vienna, a reliable source reports that infant mortality is approaching 100 per cent."
US correspondent Dorothy Thompson
plentiful than now. . . From Vienna, a reliable source reports that infant mortality is approaching 100 per cent."
US correspondent Dorothy Thompson
Since 25 percent of former German farmland had been given to Poland, food was scarce in Germany
after the war, and in the many urban areas where refugees were dumped there was already a
disastrous famine. The Allies were not letting food through yet. Health and medical services could
not possibly handle the additional millions of starving, homeless, and ill German refugees. Many
wandered the streets of unfamiliar cities and towns and half of the children less than a year old died
during the first months in cities like Berlin. By the summer of 1945, 20,000 weak, confused, hungry
and homeless people were dying every day, their bodies piled up on roadsides, by train tracks and in
empty fields. During the winter of 1945-46, the Allies relented because of the media attention..and
maybe because the desired goal advocated by some close presidential advisors of "eliminating" a large
segment of German population, had already been realized. They finally allowed private international
relief agencies to provide food and clothing, but it was far too late for many.
after the war, and in the many urban areas where refugees were dumped there was already a
disastrous famine. The Allies were not letting food through yet. Health and medical services could
not possibly handle the additional millions of starving, homeless, and ill German refugees. Many
wandered the streets of unfamiliar cities and towns and half of the children less than a year old died
during the first months in cities like Berlin. By the summer of 1945, 20,000 weak, confused, hungry
and homeless people were dying every day, their bodies piled up on roadsides, by train tracks and in
empty fields. During the winter of 1945-46, the Allies relented because of the media attention..and
maybe because the desired goal advocated by some close presidential advisors of "eliminating" a large
segment of German population, had already been realized. They finally allowed private international
relief agencies to provide food and clothing, but it was far too late for many.
Those Germans unable to leave their old homelands were herded up and executed, beaten, raped and
robbed of what few possessions they had left by a variety of predators. Germans were forbidden to
have money, and soon found themselves starving and subjected to bitter reprisals all the while. One
of the linguistic rulings of the Communist regime turned the refugees into "re-settlers," forced by the
state to deny their history. Nobody knows how many thousands died for their heritage.
robbed of what few possessions they had left by a variety of predators. Germans were forbidden to
have money, and soon found themselves starving and subjected to bitter reprisals all the while. One
of the linguistic rulings of the Communist regime turned the refugees into "re-settlers," forced by the
state to deny their history. Nobody knows how many thousands died for their heritage.
| The Expellees |
Even after a murderous bombing campaign eliminated a large part of their population, five times as
many Germans, both civilians and soldiers, perished in the first year after World War Two than died
during the course of the entire war. They died at the hands of others directly as a result of revenge
policies inflicted upon a thoroughly dehumanized enemy: exile, murder, forced "atonement" marches,
freezing, starvation and slave labor; Seven million homeless people, many half insane from shock and
grief, rotting human bodies dotting the bleak roadsides and paper thin orphans wandering aimlessly
through the charred and broken remnants of mercilessly bombed cities were the sights in post-war
Germany and Austria, sights seldom shown by the mainstream media and rarely reported even today
unless prefaced by a justification absolving the victors of any wrongdoing.
many Germans, both civilians and soldiers, perished in the first year after World War Two than died
during the course of the entire war. They died at the hands of others directly as a result of revenge
policies inflicted upon a thoroughly dehumanized enemy: exile, murder, forced "atonement" marches,
freezing, starvation and slave labor; Seven million homeless people, many half insane from shock and
grief, rotting human bodies dotting the bleak roadsides and paper thin orphans wandering aimlessly
through the charred and broken remnants of mercilessly bombed cities were the sights in post-war
Germany and Austria, sights seldom shown by the mainstream media and rarely reported even today
unless prefaced by a justification absolving the victors of any wrongdoing.
In some areas, this emergency was compounded by the severe Allied "re-education" programs instituted to "detoxify" the
German people. Among the harshest was Military Government Law No.8 which prohibited any former Nazi party
member (which applied to millions of intelligent, educated German professionals) to work at any vocation except common
laborer. Even in areas with a severe shortage of medical personnel, German doctors and nurses were often dismissed
from their jobs due to their political past, despite the ensuing loss of medical help for thousands of people at a time when it
was desparately needed.
German people. Among the harshest was Military Government Law No.8 which prohibited any former Nazi party
member (which applied to millions of intelligent, educated German professionals) to work at any vocation except common
laborer. Even in areas with a severe shortage of medical personnel, German doctors and nurses were often dismissed
from their jobs due to their political past, despite the ensuing loss of medical help for thousands of people at a time when it
was desparately needed.