| "Liberation" and its Deadly Aftermath for Refugees |
| Refugees in the Eastern Cities after the War: One City's Story |
The refugee problem was of a momentous proportion
and what took place in Leipzig is typical of many
eastern cities. Thousands of wandering refugees at
war's end faced hunger, illness, confusion, injury and
emotional trauma. Families having lost their homes
and farms were split up and scattered into unfamiliar
areas, children were torn from their mother's arms
and fathers and sons were missing or dead. Refugees
with friends or relatives 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.
and what took place in Leipzig is typical of many
eastern cities. Thousands of wandering refugees at
war's end faced hunger, illness, confusion, injury and
emotional trauma. Families having lost their homes
and farms were split up and scattered into unfamiliar
areas, children were torn from their mother's arms
and fathers and sons were missing or dead. Refugees
with friends or relatives 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.
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.
Conditions worsened in the entire Soviet zone of occupation until a uniform food map system was
inserted much later, which consisted of categories. 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, who were given strict orders to destroy or otherwise
render inedible their own leftover surplus so as to ensure it could not be eaten by German civilians, a
policy in US zones throughout all of Germany.
inserted much later, which consisted of categories. 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, who were given strict orders to destroy or otherwise
render inedible their own leftover surplus so as to ensure it could not be eaten by German civilians, a
policy in US zones throughout all of Germany.
One of the linguistic rulings of the Communist regime turned the refugees into "re-settlers," and 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. To enforce this, a halt was called to refugee movements from October 1, 1945.
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. To enforce this, a halt was called to 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, heat, sanitation
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 for use by Soviet commercial enterprises.
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, heat, sanitation
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 for use by Soviet commercial enterprises.
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
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.
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.
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. Within Eastern German regions which were hacked up and
turned over to the communists, "liberation" led to enslavement for decades. Subjected to brutal
policies calculated to break their will, thousands upon thousands of innocent people were murdered,
oppressed or tortured. "Crimes" such as singing an old regional folk song could be punishable by
prison, and the brutality used to obliterate "nationalism" extended to executions, prison or life in the
far away gulag. Many people simply disappeared. Those who didn't comply with the degrading
re-education process inflicted by their new communist masters were enemies of the state.
it was the innocent who paid the price. Within Eastern German regions which were hacked up and
turned over to the communists, "liberation" led to enslavement for decades. Subjected to brutal
policies calculated to break their will, thousands upon thousands of innocent people were murdered,
oppressed or tortured. "Crimes" such as singing an old regional folk song could be punishable by
prison, and the brutality used to obliterate "nationalism" extended to executions, prison or life in the
far away gulag. Many people simply disappeared. Those who didn't comply with the degrading
re-education process inflicted by their new communist masters were enemies of the state.
Within the Soviet zone of occupation, some refugees were sent over the borders, resulting in strong
objection from adjacent provinces who were battling 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 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 accommodation of only
one night 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. Typhus broke out and there was a malaria epidemic in the
damp Leipzig camps from 1945-49 where some refugees languished in old, swampy prison camps.
the Leipzig welfare office suggested that any future refugees should receive accommodation of only
one night 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. Typhus broke out and there was a malaria epidemic in the
damp Leipzig camps from 1945-49 where some refugees languished in old, swampy prison camps.
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 themselves and 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 also 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 themselves and 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 also 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. As the
Americans prepared to leave July 2, 1945 and the end of their occupation, Leipzigers were stunned
when a message that Russian troops were in the advance arrived. 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.
Americans prepared to leave July 2, 1945 and the end of their occupation, Leipzigers were stunned
when a message that Russian troops were in the advance arrived. 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.
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.
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 also non-fraternization cases against civilians,
usually German women that GIs were caught spending time with.
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 also 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 prostrate 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 prostrate 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 operating.
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.
More heinously, as previously mentioned, strict orders were given to U.S. military personnel and
their wives to destroy or otherwise render inedible their own leftover food so as to ensure it could
not be eaten by German civilians.
vegetables other than potatoes was authorized. There was no economy and no stores operating.
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.
More heinously, as previously mentioned, strict orders were given to U.S. military personnel and
their wives to destroy or otherwise render inedible their own leftover food so as to ensure it could
not be eaten by German civilians.
| Making the World Safe for Democracy in the West |
Revenge took priority. 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 at
anything other than manual jobs. 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 or communist. This lasted until the onset of the Cold War.
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 at
anything other than manual jobs. 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 or communist. This lasted until the onset of the Cold War.
Since 25 percent of former German farmland had been given to Poland, food was scarce in Germany
after the war, and there was already a disastrous famine in the many urban areas where refugees
were dumped. 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. Half of the
children under 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 piling up on
roadsides, by train tracks and in empty fields. When winter arrived, the Allies relented and finally
allowed some private international relief agencies to provide food and clothing, but it was far too late
for many. At the peak of the expulsions in July of 1946, 14,400 people a day were still being dumped
over the devastated and famished frontier into an equally devastated and famished Germany which
had been reduced to a smaller size than it was in the 11th century.
after the war, and there was already a disastrous famine in the many urban areas where refugees
were dumped. 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. Half of the
children under 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 piling up on
roadsides, by train tracks and in empty fields. When winter arrived, the Allies relented and finally
allowed some private international relief agencies to provide food and clothing, but it was far too late
for many. At the peak of the expulsions in July of 1946, 14,400 people a day were still being dumped
over the devastated and famished frontier into an equally devastated and famished Germany which
had been reduced to a smaller size than it was in the 11th century.
Those Germans unable to leave their old homelands were herded up and executed or 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. In
communist-occupied Koburg, 3/4 of the people were dead by starvation by the spring of 1947, and
over in Allied-occupied Kleve, more than twice as many civilians died in a British Camp than during
the whole war, most from hunger and starvation. The children died like flies of diseases such as
Diphtheria which ran rampant. The greatest deaths were reported in the Neumark area in Eastern
Brandenburg. Out of a 644,834 pre-war population, by 1945 there were 257,000 dead. Out of sheer
desperation, people all over Germany shot themselves, hanged themselves, drowned themselves,
poisoned themselves and even killed their entire families and themselves.
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. In
communist-occupied Koburg, 3/4 of the people were dead by starvation by the spring of 1947, and
over in Allied-occupied Kleve, more than twice as many civilians died in a British Camp than during
the whole war, most from hunger and starvation. The children died like flies of diseases such as
Diphtheria which ran rampant. The greatest deaths were reported in the Neumark area in Eastern
Brandenburg. Out of a 644,834 pre-war population, by 1945 there were 257,000 dead. Out of sheer
desperation, people all over Germany shot themselves, hanged themselves, drowned themselves,
poisoned themselves and even killed their entire families and themselves.
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; 15 to 20 million homeless people, many half insane from shock
and grief, wandered amid rotting human bodies dotting the bleak roadsides and paper thin orphans
aimlessly navigating through the charred and broken remnants of mercilessly bombed cities. These
sights of post-war Germany and Austria are seldom or never shown by the mainstream media.
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; 15 to 20 million homeless people, many half insane from shock
and grief, wandered amid rotting human bodies dotting the bleak roadsides and paper thin orphans
aimlessly navigating through the charred and broken remnants of mercilessly bombed cities. These
sights of post-war Germany and Austria are seldom or never shown by the mainstream media.
The severe Allied "re-education" programs instituted to "detoxify" the German people compounded
the emergency. 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 as 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, resulting in a loss of medical help for thousands at a time when it was desperately needed.
the emergency. 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 as 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, resulting in a loss of medical help for thousands at a time when it was desperately needed.
The forlorn refugees were afflicted with scourges such as lice, ringworm, bedbugs and transmittable
diseases, while the formerly rich and the once poor struggled together for survival. The whole social
order had broken down with nothing of substance to replace it and lift the sagging spirits and weary
bodies. Stress, grief, illness and pain took a devastating toll, especially in the very young and aged.
diseases, while the formerly rich and the once poor struggled together for survival. The whole social
order had broken down with nothing of substance to replace it and lift the sagging spirits and weary
bodies. Stress, grief, illness and pain took a devastating toll, especially in the very young and aged.
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.
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.
The Allied Control Council had worked out
procedures in advance for taking into the
occupied territory 6,650,000 "racial Germans"
who were among those they expected to be
expelled from Poland, Hungary, Austria and
Czechoslovakia under their plans.
procedures in advance for taking into the
occupied territory 6,650,000 "racial Germans"
who were among those they expected to be
expelled from Poland, Hungary, Austria and
Czechoslovakia under their plans.
The US zone's share was to be 1,750,000 from the Sudetenland and 500,000 from Hungary. They
were scheduled to come at a rate of a quarter million a month in December, January, and February
of 1945 and even larger numbers in the spring. But they came at greater rates, and the Allies were in
no way prepared or eager to deal with the situation humanely.
were scheduled to come at a rate of a quarter million a month in December, January, and February
of 1945 and even larger numbers in the spring. But they came at greater rates, and the Allies were in
no way prepared or eager to deal with the situation humanely.
| One: An Overview Two: The Women Three: The Children |
| An Overview of the Expulsions: Life as a Refugee |
