In August, 1944, news got out that in the East Prussian villages of Nemmersdorf and Goldap, the
Red Army had entered the town and raped, tortured and murdered all of the inhabitants, including
the children. The violence spread and hopeless people panicked, their only options being hiding, flight
or fighting and most chose flight. However, grave danger was biting at their heels the whole while.
Red Army had entered the town and raped, tortured and murdered all of the inhabitants, including
the children. The violence spread and hopeless people panicked, their only options being hiding, flight
or fighting and most chose flight. However, grave danger was biting at their heels the whole while.
When, in the winter of 1945, East Prussia was cut off from the west, the only possibility for many to
escape was from the small port of Pillau and over the Baltic Sea toward the west. Therefore, many
refugees fled in exactly the reverse direction from which some of their Salzburger ancestors had
arrived after banishment from their original homeland so long before.
escape was from the small port of Pillau and over the Baltic Sea toward the west. Therefore, many
refugees fled in exactly the reverse direction from which some of their Salzburger ancestors had
arrived after banishment from their original homeland so long before.
Carts of fleeing people were crushed and murdered by advancing Russian tanks and dead humans
and animals lined the overflowing roads. The screams and cries of stunned children and frantic
mothers stretched for mile after mile of human misery. Unprepared for the 60 degrees below zero
wind chill and deep snow, some turned back home in despair, but blazing farms lit up the horizon,
burned by the Red Army or set on fire by their despondent owners who then committed suicide.
and animals lined the overflowing roads. The screams and cries of stunned children and frantic
mothers stretched for mile after mile of human misery. Unprepared for the 60 degrees below zero
wind chill and deep snow, some turned back home in despair, but blazing farms lit up the horizon,
burned by the Red Army or set on fire by their despondent owners who then committed suicide.
Wilhelm Gustloff was a 25,000-ton passenger liner. On January
30, 1945, when it steamed out of Gotenhafen it carried a crew of
1,100 officers and men, 73 critically wounded soldiers, 373 young
women of the Women's Naval Auxiliary and more than 6,000
desperate refugees, most of them women and children who had
reached the safety of the ship after grueling personal ordeals.
30, 1945, when it steamed out of Gotenhafen it carried a crew of
1,100 officers and men, 73 critically wounded soldiers, 373 young
women of the Women's Naval Auxiliary and more than 6,000
desperate refugees, most of them women and children who had
reached the safety of the ship after grueling personal ordeals.
The Gustloff was 13 miles off the coast of Pomerania when 3 torpedoes from a Soviet sub under the
command of Captain A.I. Marinesko struck the ship. 90 minutes later it sank under the icy waves of
the Baltic. Barely 1,100 survived. Approximately 7,000 Germans died. A few days later, on February
10, Marinesko struck again and sank the German hospital ship the General von Steuben carrying
3,500 wounded soldiers and another 1,000 refugees. Only 650 people survived.
command of Captain A.I. Marinesko struck the ship. 90 minutes later it sank under the icy waves of
the Baltic. Barely 1,100 survived. Approximately 7,000 Germans died. A few days later, on February
10, Marinesko struck again and sank the German hospital ship the General von Steuben carrying
3,500 wounded soldiers and another 1,000 refugees. Only 650 people survived.
By February of 1945, thousands upon thousands of panic stricken refugees who somehow managed
to survive the exodus from the eastern regions flooded into Dresden and the other bigger cities
seeking shelter and help. On the 14th and 15th of February, Dresden was incinerated along with
virtually every other city that refugees had flocked to, from Kiel to Swinemünde, victims of the major
catastrophic Allied bombing campaigns of "Operation Thunderclap" and " Clarion".
to survive the exodus from the eastern regions flooded into Dresden and the other bigger cities
seeking shelter and help. On the 14th and 15th of February, Dresden was incinerated along with
virtually every other city that refugees had flocked to, from Kiel to Swinemünde, victims of the major
catastrophic Allied bombing campaigns of "Operation Thunderclap" and " Clarion".
Churchill and Roosevelt agreed to Stalin's genocidal plans, and after the war, the German border was
redrawn. 3.5 million Germans were formally and brutally banished from their homelands forever.
redrawn. 3.5 million Germans were formally and brutally banished from their homelands forever.
Of the nearly 2.4 million East Prussians, more than 1.9 million soon
joined by ethnic Germans from central Poland, fled westward under bad
conditions. 173,000 people remained, most of them in what is now the
Polish part of East Prussia. Only since 1989, have they again identified
themselves as Germans. A very low estimate of 75,000 German children
were killed by Allied bombs during the war. Thousands more found
themselves abandoned, orphaned, raped or kidnapped. The fate of many
thousands more children was never learned. Many starved to death when
international charitable aid to Germany after the war was banned for one
year, then restricted for more than another year. When it was permitted, it
came too late for millions of people, thousands of whom were children. For
months in parts of Germany, the ration set by the occupying Allies was an
insufficient 400 calories per day.
joined by ethnic Germans from central Poland, fled westward under bad
conditions. 173,000 people remained, most of them in what is now the
Polish part of East Prussia. Only since 1989, have they again identified
themselves as Germans. A very low estimate of 75,000 German children
were killed by Allied bombs during the war. Thousands more found
themselves abandoned, orphaned, raped or kidnapped. The fate of many
thousands more children was never learned. Many starved to death when
international charitable aid to Germany after the war was banned for one
year, then restricted for more than another year. When it was permitted, it
came too late for millions of people, thousands of whom were children. For
months in parts of Germany, the ration set by the occupying Allies was an
insufficient 400 calories per day.
Two Allied air raids were carried out on the old city of Königsberg on
August 26/27 and August 29/30, 1944 based on misinformation from
Churchill that it was a "a modernised heavily defended fortress." In
reality, he knowingly paved the way for the Red Army. 90% of the city of
Kant was absolutely destroyed and it burned for several days. The entire
historic city center, including the cathedral, the castle, all churches of the
old city, the old and the new universities and the old shipping quarter
were lost. After the Red Army captured Königsberg under General
Chernyakhovsky, approximately 50,000 citizens who did not escape in
time were dead and 90,000 German military prisoners were taken, almost
none of whom were never heard from again. Only about 50,000 citizens
out of Königsberg's prewar population of 316,000 remained.
August 26/27 and August 29/30, 1944 based on misinformation from
Churchill that it was a "a modernised heavily defended fortress." In
reality, he knowingly paved the way for the Red Army. 90% of the city of
Kant was absolutely destroyed and it burned for several days. The entire
historic city center, including the cathedral, the castle, all churches of the
old city, the old and the new universities and the old shipping quarter
were lost. After the Red Army captured Königsberg under General
Chernyakhovsky, approximately 50,000 citizens who did not escape in
time were dead and 90,000 German military prisoners were taken, almost
none of whom were never heard from again. Only about 50,000 citizens
out of Königsberg's prewar population of 316,000 remained.
The Red Army immediately began methodically erasing any trace of former German history and
presence. In January and February of 1945, the "evacuation" of surviving German began, including
those who had returned to reunite with their families. Most of the surviving German population of
East Prussia was expelled at that time with many people deported to the Gulag as slaves, and others
held as virtual prisoners until 1949, during which time many died of disease and starvation. These
last remaining German residents were expelled in a more detailed ethnic cleansing of 1949-50.
presence. In January and February of 1945, the "evacuation" of surviving German began, including
those who had returned to reunite with their families. Most of the surviving German population of
East Prussia was expelled at that time with many people deported to the Gulag as slaves, and others
held as virtual prisoners until 1949, during which time many died of disease and starvation. These
last remaining German residents were expelled in a more detailed ethnic cleansing of 1949-50.
The German cities and towns were neglected or demolished and the place names
were all changed. Königsberg, founded in 1255, was renamed Kalingrad in honor of
a murderous Soviet thug who never stepped foot in the city. In July of 1945,
northern East Prussia became part of the USSR and in that autumn, the first Soviet
settlers arrived from Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine. More Poles were settled in
southern East Prussia, renamed the "Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodship."
were all changed. Königsberg, founded in 1255, was renamed Kalingrad in honor of
a murderous Soviet thug who never stepped foot in the city. In July of 1945,
northern East Prussia became part of the USSR and in that autumn, the first Soviet
settlers arrived from Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine. More Poles were settled in
southern East Prussia, renamed the "Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodship."
| Street sign in today's Rostock, Germany honoring Ehrenburg! |
Kalingrad was declared a 'free economic zone' in 1992 in a futile attempt to revive the economy, but
it never developed into a "Hong Kong of the Baltic" as some desired, and corruption keeps most
investment away. Approximately 400,000 people live in metropolitan Kalingrad and a total of one
million are in the "Oblast", but not those people who bravely settled the land hundreds of years ago,
and like the ugly high-rise built atop the shifting ruins of an old castle, "Kalingrad" sets on the blood
of innocents.
it never developed into a "Hong Kong of the Baltic" as some desired, and corruption keeps most
investment away. Approximately 400,000 people live in metropolitan Kalingrad and a total of one
million are in the "Oblast", but not those people who bravely settled the land hundreds of years ago,
and like the ugly high-rise built atop the shifting ruins of an old castle, "Kalingrad" sets on the blood
of innocents.
The parts of East Prussia annexed by Poland are still policed, and until 1990, the central Polish
government and Polish activists took consequent measures in demolishing churches, graveyards and
other clues indicating a German history. Some older German expellees have tried to erect expulsion
commemoration monuments, but most Polish authorities have stubbornly refused to recognize
southern East Prussia's German history and heritage.
government and Polish activists took consequent measures in demolishing churches, graveyards and
other clues indicating a German history. Some older German expellees have tried to erect expulsion
commemoration monuments, but most Polish authorities have stubbornly refused to recognize
southern East Prussia's German history and heritage.
In the late 1980's some ethnic Germans arrived there, most driven out of other parts of the USSR,
and by 1991, 5,000 ethnic Germans inhabited the city and 13,000 the region. Closed off to foreigners
since WWII, the Kalingrad region, about one half the size of Belgium and some 200 miles away from
the border of Russia proper, was reopened on January 1, 1991 when the first direct train since 1945
ran from Kaliningrad to Berlin. After the fall of the USSR when neighboring Lithuania and other
former Soviet republics gained their independence, Kaliningrad had been cut off from Russia. Even
though railroads connect Kaliningrad to Russia though Lithuania and Belarus, high tariffs in Lithuania
make importing food and supplies from Russia prohibitively expensive.
and by 1991, 5,000 ethnic Germans inhabited the city and 13,000 the region. Closed off to foreigners
since WWII, the Kalingrad region, about one half the size of Belgium and some 200 miles away from
the border of Russia proper, was reopened on January 1, 1991 when the first direct train since 1945
ran from Kaliningrad to Berlin. After the fall of the USSR when neighboring Lithuania and other
former Soviet republics gained their independence, Kaliningrad had been cut off from Russia. Even
though railroads connect Kaliningrad to Russia though Lithuania and Belarus, high tariffs in Lithuania
make importing food and supplies from Russia prohibitively expensive.
In an article of March 3,1945, Ehrenburg said the "historical mission of the Soviet army consists in a
modest and honorable task of reduction of the population of Germany." In that light, horrendous
atrocities took place. The Red Army, sent into Germany stirred up by Ehrenburg's hate-inspiring
messages to rape and pillage, ended up committing the largest mass rape in history, with the women
and girls of East Prussia bearing the first brunt of their brutality. Under direct order to break the spirit
and dignity of all "arrogant" Germans, rape was the order of the day, and old women, young women,
little girls and small boys were brutalized without mercy.
modest and honorable task of reduction of the population of Germany." In that light, horrendous
atrocities took place. The Red Army, sent into Germany stirred up by Ehrenburg's hate-inspiring
messages to rape and pillage, ended up committing the largest mass rape in history, with the women
and girls of East Prussia bearing the first brunt of their brutality. Under direct order to break the spirit
and dignity of all "arrogant" Germans, rape was the order of the day, and old women, young women,
little girls and small boys were brutalized without mercy.
In West Prussia, Pomerania, Brandenburg and Silesia, there would be uncounted
scenes of terror as people decided to flee as quickly as possible, hoping to find refuge
and safety. This would not happen for hundreds of thousands of them. The Red Army
was cajoled to behave in Germany "as Mongolian hordes of old " by Stalin's
propagandists, among whom was the grand master of hate, Ilya Ehrenburg, left, who
encouraged communist troops to injure, torture, rape and kill German civilians.
scenes of terror as people decided to flee as quickly as possible, hoping to find refuge
and safety. This would not happen for hundreds of thousands of them. The Red Army
was cajoled to behave in Germany "as Mongolian hordes of old " by Stalin's
propagandists, among whom was the grand master of hate, Ilya Ehrenburg, left, who
encouraged communist troops to injure, torture, rape and kill German civilians.
Some had only one route of escape: a walk over ice on half thawed lagoons
to Frische Nehrung, a narrow slice of land, and from there to Danzig. Up to
a million people are said to have attempted this deadly crossing. Most on
foot never made it and slid into holes in the ice while others pulling carts and
sleds filled with children and the elderly, drowned in the frigid water when
Soviets circling overhead intentionally cut off large ice floes with artillery
fire, sending them adrift into a bleak abyss. Whole families fell into the sea.
Those who tried an escape on the roads witnessed more scenes of terror.
to Frische Nehrung, a narrow slice of land, and from there to Danzig. Up to
a million people are said to have attempted this deadly crossing. Most on
foot never made it and slid into holes in the ice while others pulling carts and
sleds filled with children and the elderly, drowned in the frigid water when
Soviets circling overhead intentionally cut off large ice floes with artillery
fire, sending them adrift into a bleak abyss. Whole families fell into the sea.
Those who tried an escape on the roads witnessed more scenes of terror.
"Since the end of the war about 3,000,000 people, mostly women and children and overaged men,
have been killed in eastern Germany and south-eastern Europe; about 15,000,000 people have been
deported or had to flee from their homesteads and are on the road. About 25 per cent of these
people, over 3,000,000 have died. About 4,000,000 men and women have been deported to eastern
Europe and Russia as slaves. It seems that the elimination of the German population of eastern
Europe - at least 15,000,000 people - was planned in accordance with decisions made at Yalta."
Sen. Homer Capehart, in a speech before U.S. Senate, Feb. 5, 1946.
have been killed in eastern Germany and south-eastern Europe; about 15,000,000 people have been
deported or had to flee from their homesteads and are on the road. About 25 per cent of these
people, over 3,000,000 have died. About 4,000,000 men and women have been deported to eastern
Europe and Russia as slaves. It seems that the elimination of the German population of eastern
Europe - at least 15,000,000 people - was planned in accordance with decisions made at Yalta."
Sen. Homer Capehart, in a speech before U.S. Senate, Feb. 5, 1946.
In much of Germany it was often around 1,000, and officially for more than two years it was never
more than 1,550. The number of murdered Germans, for the most part civilian: women, infants and
children, as well as the elderly was a minimum of 9,300,000 and a maximum of 15,700,000. In one
horrible situation, some ten thousand German children under five died in Danish camps after
"liberation." Between February 11 and May 5, about 250,000 German women, children and elderly
refugees from East Prussia, Pomerania and the Baltic provinces fled from the Soviet Army across
the Baltic Sea, a third of them under 15 years old. They were interned as enemies in hundreds of
camps in Denmark, placed behind barbed wire and guarded by heavily armed overseers. Denied
medical care and proper nourishment they starved or died from resulting disease.
more than 1,550. The number of murdered Germans, for the most part civilian: women, infants and
children, as well as the elderly was a minimum of 9,300,000 and a maximum of 15,700,000. In one
horrible situation, some ten thousand German children under five died in Danish camps after
"liberation." Between February 11 and May 5, about 250,000 German women, children and elderly
refugees from East Prussia, Pomerania and the Baltic provinces fled from the Soviet Army across
the Baltic Sea, a third of them under 15 years old. They were interned as enemies in hundreds of
camps in Denmark, placed behind barbed wire and guarded by heavily armed overseers. Denied
medical care and proper nourishment they starved or died from resulting disease.
From 1946 to 1948, Königsberg was rebuilt. The 800 year old Königsberg castle was dynamited to
make way for a hideous, 22-story "House of Soviets", however because the castle had contained
many underground tunnels, the building above began to slowly collapse. Because of Kalingrad's use
as a navy base, there are major amounts of pollution, and its once clean, beautiful streets are crime
and drug infested, filthy and stinking with one of the world's highest rate of AIDS.
make way for a hideous, 22-story "House of Soviets", however because the castle had contained
many underground tunnels, the building above began to slowly collapse. Because of Kalingrad's use
as a navy base, there are major amounts of pollution, and its once clean, beautiful streets are crime
and drug infested, filthy and stinking with one of the world's highest rate of AIDS.
East Prussia was vindictively cut away from her ethnic and cultural roots with Germany by the terms
of the Treaty of Versailles and her population was left isolated and at risk. In 1920, plebiscites in
eastern West Prussia and southern East Prussia were held to determine if the areas should join
Poland or remain in Prussia within Germany; 96.7% of the people voted for Germany.
of the Treaty of Versailles and her population was left isolated and at risk. In 1920, plebiscites in
eastern West Prussia and southern East Prussia were held to determine if the areas should join
Poland or remain in Prussia within Germany; 96.7% of the people voted for Germany.
However, East Prussia was now separated from the Fatherland by the new "Polish passage" and
substantial channels of distribution cut her off from neighbouring markets, greatly harming the
economy. The majority of road connections and railway lines through former German lands which
had been given to the newly redrawn Poland by the terms of Versailles were now closed, and the
price of transport injured East Prussian commercial interests. East Prussia was being "starved out" of
the markets, and was surrounded by a historically hostile minority population. German war widows,
farmers, children and old folks were suddenly victimized from marauding gangs of communist
hoodlums and violent acts against them were rampant. Thousands of unprotected Germans were
dead or missing from such violence. By 1939, East Prussia had 2.49 million people, 85% of them
German and all of them in dire peril. They had lived there for centuries and built up the land with
their blood, sweat and tears, and by World War Two their culture was on the verge of extinction
substantial channels of distribution cut her off from neighbouring markets, greatly harming the
economy. The majority of road connections and railway lines through former German lands which
had been given to the newly redrawn Poland by the terms of Versailles were now closed, and the
price of transport injured East Prussian commercial interests. East Prussia was being "starved out" of
the markets, and was surrounded by a historically hostile minority population. German war widows,
farmers, children and old folks were suddenly victimized from marauding gangs of communist
hoodlums and violent acts against them were rampant. Thousands of unprotected Germans were
dead or missing from such violence. By 1939, East Prussia had 2.49 million people, 85% of them
German and all of them in dire peril. They had lived there for centuries and built up the land with
their blood, sweat and tears, and by World War Two their culture was on the verge of extinction
East Prussia suffered greatly from World War One in physical damage and loss of life. She was the
first threshold of foreign armies, and thousands were dead with material damage which amounted to
1,5 billion Marks. Scores of East Prussians fled in wagons and on foot, many never to return to their
devastated homes and farms.
first threshold of foreign armies, and thousands were dead with material damage which amounted to
1,5 billion Marks. Scores of East Prussians fled in wagons and on foot, many never to return to their
devastated homes and farms.
Later in time, East Prussia witnessed French plunder under Napoleon, and the destructive French
occupiers drained the local economy and food supply. This period included a harvest failure in 1811
which had a lasting effect on the province and left a debt unpaid until 1901! Despite it all, the people
persevered. Their farms flourished and their villages grew into small cities. Ancient Königsberg had
further evolved into a lovely, historic city and a lively center of trade and culture, with its libraries,
hospitals and universities. Hundreds of years of glorious history were embodied in the beautiful
kingdom built with toil and love, and rooted in religious and ethnic tolerance.
occupiers drained the local economy and food supply. This period included a harvest failure in 1811
which had a lasting effect on the province and left a debt unpaid until 1901! Despite it all, the people
persevered. Their farms flourished and their villages grew into small cities. Ancient Königsberg had
further evolved into a lovely, historic city and a lively center of trade and culture, with its libraries,
hospitals and universities. Hundreds of years of glorious history were embodied in the beautiful
kingdom built with toil and love, and rooted in religious and ethnic tolerance.
From 1824-1878, East Prussia was combined with West Prussia to form the Province of Prussia,
after which they were reestablished as separate provinces. Along with the rest of the Kingdom of
Prussia, East Prussia became part of the German Empire in 1871. In 1875, the ethnic make-up of
East Prussia was 73.48% German-speaking, with an 18.39% Polish-speaking minority mostly
concentrated in the southern Masurian and Warmia part of the province, and an 8.11% Lithuanian
speaking minority concentrated in the north east. After 1890, the population started to drop in East
Prussia because of emigration and economics. The population of the province in 1900 was made up
of 1,996,626 people with a predominantly Protestant make up, and one third of the population still
had Salzburger roots. By 1945, they would be extinct.
after which they were reestablished as separate provinces. Along with the rest of the Kingdom of
Prussia, East Prussia became part of the German Empire in 1871. In 1875, the ethnic make-up of
East Prussia was 73.48% German-speaking, with an 18.39% Polish-speaking minority mostly
concentrated in the southern Masurian and Warmia part of the province, and an 8.11% Lithuanian
speaking minority concentrated in the north east. After 1890, the population started to drop in East
Prussia because of emigration and economics. The population of the province in 1900 was made up
of 1,996,626 people with a predominantly Protestant make up, and one third of the population still
had Salzburger roots. By 1945, they would be extinct.
| The Sad Fate of East Prussia |
The policy of communist Poland after the war dictated that German names be systematically
removed, church yards and grave stones ploughed under, monuments demolished, and houses
stripped of elements reflecting German history, language and culture. Use of the German language
was a punishable offense, in some cases by death.
removed, church yards and grave stones ploughed under, monuments demolished, and houses
stripped of elements reflecting German history, language and culture. Use of the German language
was a punishable offense, in some cases by death.
Tragically, even after some thought they had found salvation, they would be exterminated with
vengeance by various other satanic means.
vengeance by various other satanic means.
1945
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