| "There will be no mixture of populations to cause endless trouble..." Churchill |
After millions of Germans from East Prussia and other Baltic areas fled from the Red Army, those
left behind were forcibly expelled from 1945 to 1947 in the Polish or Lithuanian areas. The entire
situation produced a population of around 25,000 orphaned or abandoned children who sometimes
roved in gangs for comfort, support and survival throughout East Prussia and eastern Poland. Today,
they are referred to as "Wolfskinder" or Wolf children.
left behind were forcibly expelled from 1945 to 1947 in the Polish or Lithuanian areas. The entire
situation produced a population of around 25,000 orphaned or abandoned children who sometimes
roved in gangs for comfort, support and survival throughout East Prussia and eastern Poland. Today,
they are referred to as "Wolfskinder" or Wolf children.
Sometimes local farmers took them in, but often they were worked as slaves and poorly treated,
especially in Polish areas. There were about 5000 in Lithuania alone who went begging in search of
food and work. The "Nazi children" were strictly forbidden to speak German, lest there be
repercussions against the hosting families or employers, therefore they suppressed their language and
even their names and pretended to be citizens of the Soviet Union with Lithuanian nationality. At the
beginning of the 1950s, a group of about 1,000 of the "wolf children" were sent to communist East
Germany. Only 100 survive.
especially in Polish areas. There were about 5000 in Lithuania alone who went begging in search of
food and work. The "Nazi children" were strictly forbidden to speak German, lest there be
repercussions against the hosting families or employers, therefore they suppressed their language and
even their names and pretended to be citizens of the Soviet Union with Lithuanian nationality. At the
beginning of the 1950s, a group of about 1,000 of the "wolf children" were sent to communist East
Germany. Only 100 survive.
In the late 1980s early 1990s, several hundred of their survivors formed the association "Edelweiss".
They organized petitions and tried to bring attention to the issue in German newspapers, hoping to
discover the fate of others and reunite some with long lost relatives. They organized material and
financial assistance to support the now aging "wolf children" in their attempts to obtain a German
passport and be recognised as German citizens. However, a simple naturalization was not possible
because of legal difficulties in substantiating their claims due to their culture and language having been
suppressed for so long. An often inhumane bureaucratic mess inflicted even more distress upon these
victims but the group remained active and energetic, resulting in some successes. Approximately 200
of these people gained German citizenship in the 1990s and settled in Germany, some with their
families. By 2008, 93 known wolf children, now all in retirement age, still live in Lithuania. In 2007,
a sponsorship and donation campaign raised a small supplementary pension for the 93 former
Ostpreußischen children remaining. All attempts to obtain financial assistance from the German
government have thus far failed.
They organized petitions and tried to bring attention to the issue in German newspapers, hoping to
discover the fate of others and reunite some with long lost relatives. They organized material and
financial assistance to support the now aging "wolf children" in their attempts to obtain a German
passport and be recognised as German citizens. However, a simple naturalization was not possible
because of legal difficulties in substantiating their claims due to their culture and language having been
suppressed for so long. An often inhumane bureaucratic mess inflicted even more distress upon these
victims but the group remained active and energetic, resulting in some successes. Approximately 200
of these people gained German citizenship in the 1990s and settled in Germany, some with their
families. By 2008, 93 known wolf children, now all in retirement age, still live in Lithuania. In 2007,
a sponsorship and donation campaign raised a small supplementary pension for the 93 former
Ostpreußischen children remaining. All attempts to obtain financial assistance from the German
government have thus far failed.
Nutrition was poor and medical care absent. In 1945 alone, more than 13,000 people needlessly died,
among them some 7,000 children under five. The Danish Association of Doctors had decided in
March 1945 that German refugees would not receive any medical care. That same month the Red
Cross refused to take any action because public sentiment was "against the Germans." 80% of the
small children that landed in Denmark did not survive the ordeal. They either starved or were unable
to fight infections due to extreme malnutrition.
among them some 7,000 children under five. The Danish Association of Doctors had decided in
March 1945 that German refugees would not receive any medical care. That same month the Red
Cross refused to take any action because public sentiment was "against the Germans." 80% of the
small children that landed in Denmark did not survive the ordeal. They either starved or were unable
to fight infections due to extreme malnutrition.
In contrast, the Swiss went beyond the call of duty helping children in distress. 35,000
Austrian children were sent to the city of to Berne alone between 1945 and 1955 through the
Swiss Red Cross, and thousands more were sent to places all over Switzerland. The Swiss
Red Cross in Austria struggled to gain access to the children being starved in the Soviet
occupied sector of Vienna. They set up cafeterias and kitchens with meals and medicine
supplied. They sponsored adoptions for hundreds of children
Austrian children were sent to the city of to Berne alone between 1945 and 1955 through the
Swiss Red Cross, and thousands more were sent to places all over Switzerland. The Swiss
Red Cross in Austria struggled to gain access to the children being starved in the Soviet
occupied sector of Vienna. They set up cafeterias and kitchens with meals and medicine
supplied. They sponsored adoptions for hundreds of children
In one horrible situation, some ten thousand German children under five died in Danish camps after
"liberation." In the final weeks of the war, 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 Red Army across the Baltic Sea. A third of them were younger than 15 years old. They
were interned as enemies in hundreds of camps in Denmark, placed behind barbed wire and guarded
by heavily armed overseers. The largest camp was located in Oksboll, and had 37,000 detainees.
"liberation." In the final weeks of the war, 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 Red Army across the Baltic Sea. A third of them were younger than 15 years old. They
were interned as enemies in hundreds of camps in Denmark, placed behind barbed wire and guarded
by heavily armed overseers. The largest camp was located in Oksboll, and had 37,000 detainees.
| The Wolfskinder |
Some of these children were
actually from the Ruhr area
and had been sent to East
Prussia for safety from the
intense bombing in the West.
Approximately 2,000 to
3,000 of these children were
captured and sent to Russian
internment camps where
many soon died of starvation,
exploitation and disease.
actually from the Ruhr area
and had been sent to East
Prussia for safety from the
intense bombing in the West.
Approximately 2,000 to
3,000 of these children were
captured and sent to Russian
internment camps where
many soon died of starvation,
exploitation and disease.
They set up cafeterias and kitchens with meals and medicine supplied. They sponsored adoptions for hundreds of children
and supported children's homes, convalescent homes, baby stations, tuberculosis camps and refugee camps in Austria.
And in 1945-1946, the Irish Red Cross organized "Operation Shamrock" where over a thousand children from bombed
out or starving areas of the Continent were brought to Ireland to live with Irish families, some later to be adopted by their
Irish host families. German children were among those helped by the `Save the German Children Society' which was set
up in the aftermath of the razing of German cities in World War 2. The children included orphans and those children sent
off to a far off land for three years by heart-sick mothers who could not feed them. In the weeks following the appeal,
more than 1000 children between the ages of five and ten docked at Dublin port. They were fed a special diet to help
them get used to normal food again before they were sent off to their new Irish families. Some of the children went home
to their parents and some remained in Ireland.
and supported children's homes, convalescent homes, baby stations, tuberculosis camps and refugee camps in Austria.
And in 1945-1946, the Irish Red Cross organized "Operation Shamrock" where over a thousand children from bombed
out or starving areas of the Continent were brought to Ireland to live with Irish families, some later to be adopted by their
Irish host families. German children were among those helped by the `Save the German Children Society' which was set
up in the aftermath of the razing of German cities in World War 2. The children included orphans and those children sent
off to a far off land for three years by heart-sick mothers who could not feed them. In the weeks following the appeal,
more than 1000 children between the ages of five and ten docked at Dublin port. They were fed a special diet to help
them get used to normal food again before they were sent off to their new Irish families. Some of the children went home
to their parents and some remained in Ireland.
Allied leaders had vetoed efforts of the Famine Relief Committee, formed in 1942, to send food to the hard-
pressed civilians of occupied Europe. Allied leaders, above all Roosevelt and Churchill, were obdurate in their
refusal to cooperate with the Famine Relief Committee and the Red Cross. These actions were later transformed
into an American and British military ban on all private and church humanitarian aid to about 85,000,000
Germans. Millions were intentionally starved to death.
pressed civilians of occupied Europe. Allied leaders, above all Roosevelt and Churchill, were obdurate in their
refusal to cooperate with the Famine Relief Committee and the Red Cross. These actions were later transformed
into an American and British military ban on all private and church humanitarian aid to about 85,000,000
Germans. Millions were intentionally starved to death.
International charitable aid to Germany immediately after the war was
banned for a 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 400 calories per day; 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, mostly: women, infants and children,
was a minimum of 9,300,000 and a maximum of 15,700,000.
banned for a 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 400 calories per day; 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, mostly: women, infants and children,
was a minimum of 9,300,000 and a maximum of 15,700,000.
If one "googles" 'starving German children' or 'German war orphans', very
little pops up, as if there were no such thing. Yet, apart from a very low
estimate of 75,000 German children killed or maimed by violent Allied terror
bombing, thousands of others found themselves abandoned, orphaned, lost
and even stolen. Many were left to starve or fend for themselves at the mercy
of the elements or predators, and some were murdered. Thousands never saw
their homes, friends, parents or relatives again. The fates of many thousands
of children was never learned. Posters such as the one on the left of missing
children were put up all over Germany and Austria.
little pops up, as if there were no such thing. Yet, apart from a very low
estimate of 75,000 German children killed or maimed by violent Allied terror
bombing, thousands of others found themselves abandoned, orphaned, lost
and even stolen. Many were left to starve or fend for themselves at the mercy
of the elements or predators, and some were murdered. Thousands never saw
their homes, friends, parents or relatives again. The fates of many thousands
of children was never learned. Posters such as the one on the left of missing
children were put up all over Germany and Austria.
A childrens camp called Bischofswerda was set up near Leipzig
after thousands of refugees from the east poured into the city. This
was typical of camps erected for orphaned and displaced children
without families. All such children who lived in the city were
registered and most went through hellish experiences, struggling to
survive with inadequate food and heat. Like most refugees, those
who experienced a starvation diet as children were burdened with
numerous health problems as adults.
after thousands of refugees from the east poured into the city. This
was typical of camps erected for orphaned and displaced children
without families. All such children who lived in the city were
registered and most went through hellish experiences, struggling to
survive with inadequate food and heat. Like most refugees, those
who experienced a starvation diet as children were burdened with
numerous health problems as adults.
| Refugees Continued: The Smallest Victims |
While there are many movies and books about
British children being evacuated to the countryside
because of the Blitz, not much is said about the
Kinderlandverschickung, or evacuation of German
children. As air attacks increased, children at risk in
various German cities were sent away for their
safety. Initially, the evacuation of children applied
only to Berlin and Hamburg, and over 200.000
small children were evacuated from Berlin alone
between September and November of 1940
British children being evacuated to the countryside
because of the Blitz, not much is said about the
Kinderlandverschickung, or evacuation of German
children. As air attacks increased, children at risk in
various German cities were sent away for their
safety. Initially, the evacuation of children applied
only to Berlin and Hamburg, and over 200.000
small children were evacuated from Berlin alone
between September and November of 1940
Suddenly, after the German defeat at Stalingrad, Germany had to evacuate the more distant
evacuation camps such as those which had been established in Bulgaria and Romania, and new
camps were built in Bohemia and Moravia, then thought to be safe areas. Nothing would be safe for
long, however. For instance, there were still 26 camps in the Czech border regions holding a total of
around 850,000 children up until the end of the war. Both the Soviet and the western Allied forces
overran many of the KLV camps in the last months of the war. Many of the Ruhr children who were
sent to Thuringia for safety ended up being trapped there later when the Red Army began its violent
sweep. In such areas, some children went along with other frantic refugees, but the fates of many
others is unknown. This is another area, like German civilian bombing fatalities, in which the
numbers of victims are consistently revised downward in recent time in an almost hostile refusal to
acknowledge any German suffering.
evacuation camps such as those which had been established in Bulgaria and Romania, and new
camps were built in Bohemia and Moravia, then thought to be safe areas. Nothing would be safe for
long, however. For instance, there were still 26 camps in the Czech border regions holding a total of
around 850,000 children up until the end of the war. Both the Soviet and the western Allied forces
overran many of the KLV camps in the last months of the war. Many of the Ruhr children who were
sent to Thuringia for safety ended up being trapped there later when the Red Army began its violent
sweep. In such areas, some children went along with other frantic refugees, but the fates of many
others is unknown. This is another area, like German civilian bombing fatalities, in which the
numbers of victims are consistently revised downward in recent time in an almost hostile refusal to
acknowledge any German suffering.
After the beginning of 1941, there were already up to an estimated 300,000 children evacuated.
Among the host areas for the year 1941 were parts of Bavaria, Salzburg, Styria, West Prussia,
Pomerania, Silesia, the Sudetenland, Slovakia, East Prussia and parts of Saxony, as well as "safe
countries" such as Hungary, the Czech Republic and Denmark. In the summer of 1943, the increased
air attacks on the cities, particularly in the Rhine-Ruhr area, made a mass evacuation of woman and
children necessary. It was the largest inland migration in human history to date as children were
evacuated from cities such as Essen, Cologne and Dusseldorf and then from Schleswig-Holstein,
Lower Saxony and Westphalia.
Among the host areas for the year 1941 were parts of Bavaria, Salzburg, Styria, West Prussia,
Pomerania, Silesia, the Sudetenland, Slovakia, East Prussia and parts of Saxony, as well as "safe
countries" such as Hungary, the Czech Republic and Denmark. In the summer of 1943, the increased
air attacks on the cities, particularly in the Rhine-Ruhr area, made a mass evacuation of woman and
children necessary. It was the largest inland migration in human history to date as children were
evacuated from cities such as Essen, Cologne and Dusseldorf and then from Schleswig-Holstein,
Lower Saxony and Westphalia.
In addition to the use of requisitioned homes and rooms, a number of special evacuation camps were
arranged which even contained schools and medical facilities (KLV camps). In the last years of war,
some children spent more than 18 months in the camps. By the end of the war, up to 2,000,000
children aged ten to fourteen years lived at least for a time in over 2,000 camps. According to most
sources, these camps were by and large as pleasant as they could be under the circumstances of war.
Nor were they "indoctrination" facilities.
arranged which even contained schools and medical facilities (KLV camps). In the last years of war,
some children spent more than 18 months in the camps. By the end of the war, up to 2,000,000
children aged ten to fourteen years lived at least for a time in over 2,000 camps. According to most
sources, these camps were by and large as pleasant as they could be under the circumstances of war.
Nor were they "indoctrination" facilities.