| The Expulsion of Ethnic Germans |
In 1914, 2,416,290 German civilians were living in Russia. When World War I began, a wave of
hostility began, especially after the Laws of Liquidation passed in 1915. After the Bolshevik
Revolution of October 25, 1917, the ethic Germans of the former czarist empire were subjected to
an organized campaign of terror: rape, drownings, torture, burning, mutilations, mass shootings and
extermination.
hostility began, especially after the Laws of Liquidation passed in 1915. After the Bolshevik
Revolution of October 25, 1917, the ethic Germans of the former czarist empire were subjected to
an organized campaign of terror: rape, drownings, torture, burning, mutilations, mass shootings and
extermination.
Between 1930 and 1937, Russian Germans lost another one-fourth
of their population through murder, starvation or deportation. In 1941,
Moscow announced the mass "evacuation" of approximately 440,000
Volga German farmers to remote regions of Siberia. The Volga
German Republic was dissolved and the entire German population
was deported to Siberia into Trud Army camps, yet Stalin's plans
were all but cheered in the New York Times.
of their population through murder, starvation or deportation. In 1941,
Moscow announced the mass "evacuation" of approximately 440,000
Volga German farmers to remote regions of Siberia. The Volga
German Republic was dissolved and the entire German population
was deported to Siberia into Trud Army camps, yet Stalin's plans
were all but cheered in the New York Times.
| EXPULSION from Eastern Europe! |
Prior to World War Two, approximately 1.5 million "Danube Swabians" lived in Hungary, Romania
and Yugoslavia. The result of war deaths, expulsions, murder, deaths in labor camps and emigration
meant a two thirds reduction of that number. Of over one million refugees who went to Germany
and Austria, about 250,000 later emigrated to other lands, including the USA, Canada, Australia,
France and South American countries.
and Yugoslavia. The result of war deaths, expulsions, murder, deaths in labor camps and emigration
meant a two thirds reduction of that number. Of over one million refugees who went to Germany
and Austria, about 250,000 later emigrated to other lands, including the USA, Canada, Australia,
France and South American countries.
After World War Two, the large ethnic German population was murdered and expelled when, once
restored to leadership by the Allies, Benes "reslovakization" programs began in 1945. Benes had
begun to issue murderous decrees from his exile about postwar Czechoslovakia as early as 1940. On
March 28, 1946, the provisional Czech parliament gave its post-facto blessing to these decrees where
all German civilians were presumed collectively guilty and stripped of their citizenship, with their
property stolen. They included the most inhuman and barbarous persecution and oppression of the
minorities humanly imaginable: deportations, expulsions, internments, kangaroo court verdicts,
confiscation of property and the use forced labor camps. Over three and a half million Sudeten
Germans were brutally expelled from their homes. Benes and his cohorts, in their merciless
persecution of the innocent, reserved much the same fate for the Hungarians.
restored to leadership by the Allies, Benes "reslovakization" programs began in 1945. Benes had
begun to issue murderous decrees from his exile about postwar Czechoslovakia as early as 1940. On
March 28, 1946, the provisional Czech parliament gave its post-facto blessing to these decrees where
all German civilians were presumed collectively guilty and stripped of their citizenship, with their
property stolen. They included the most inhuman and barbarous persecution and oppression of the
minorities humanly imaginable: deportations, expulsions, internments, kangaroo court verdicts,
confiscation of property and the use forced labor camps. Over three and a half million Sudeten
Germans were brutally expelled from their homes. Benes and his cohorts, in their merciless
persecution of the innocent, reserved much the same fate for the Hungarians.
Virtually all of the half million Germans in Yugoslavia fled, were
murdered or expelled in 1945, and thousands were sent to slave
camps. Violence against Germans here was probably more ruthless
than in any other country. Whole villages were burned down, and the
Germans butchered. There were 8 separate death camps set up
where genocide against German civilians took place.
murdered or expelled in 1945, and thousands were sent to slave
camps. Violence against Germans here was probably more ruthless
than in any other country. Whole villages were burned down, and the
Germans butchered. There were 8 separate death camps set up
where genocide against German civilians took place.
The Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War One had
already set the stage for violence which gravely impacted
minority German communities in Eastern Europe. Even
before the World War One was over, nationalities within
Austria-Hungary were eager for independence and France,
Britain and the USA began investing and instigating.
already set the stage for violence which gravely impacted
minority German communities in Eastern Europe. Even
before the World War One was over, nationalities within
Austria-Hungary were eager for independence and France,
Britain and the USA began investing and instigating.
Stalin's forcible resettlement of over 1.5 million people during and after World War II amounted to
genocide of the ethnic Germans. Moreover, the 1945 Potsdam Agreement allowed each occupation
power to repatriate "its own citizens" into its country. This led to enslavement and massive slaughter
by the Red Army against the forcibly returned ethnic Germans from Russia who had previously fled
to German areas for protection. By 1949, over one million ethnic Germans had perished in Russia.
genocide of the ethnic Germans. Moreover, the 1945 Potsdam Agreement allowed each occupation
power to repatriate "its own citizens" into its country. This led to enslavement and massive slaughter
by the Red Army against the forcibly returned ethnic Germans from Russia who had previously fled
to German areas for protection. By 1949, over one million ethnic Germans had perished in Russia.
Khrushchev himself later admitted that the famine of 1933 was 'an act of murder' on
the part of the government, and even in 1990, the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Ukraine confessed that the famine had been deliberately created.
Map of Volga colonies, left (click)
the part of the government, and even in 1990, the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Ukraine confessed that the famine had been deliberately created.
Map of Volga colonies, left (click)
The religious Volga-Germans were severely persecuted. By 1918, there were barely 1,621,000
Germans alive in Russia and by 1919, their pastors were sent to slave camps. The requisitions of
1917-1921 threatened the existence of the Ukrainian-German villages. In Kandel, Großliebental,
Franzfeld, Josephtal and Landua, hundreds died from starvation caused by the man-made famine
crafted by the Bolsheviks to exterminate them. Between 1921 and 1923, orchestrated famine created
large emigration and the population of Germans decreased by another fourth. During this mass
starvation, approximately 10,000 Volga-German children were forcibly taken from their parents with
promises of food when in reality they were removed and sent to their deaths. 350,000 Germans in
Russia and Ukraine perished in the next arranged famine of 1932-1933.
Germans alive in Russia and by 1919, their pastors were sent to slave camps. The requisitions of
1917-1921 threatened the existence of the Ukrainian-German villages. In Kandel, Großliebental,
Franzfeld, Josephtal and Landua, hundreds died from starvation caused by the man-made famine
crafted by the Bolsheviks to exterminate them. Between 1921 and 1923, orchestrated famine created
large emigration and the population of Germans decreased by another fourth. During this mass
starvation, approximately 10,000 Volga-German children were forcibly taken from their parents with
promises of food when in reality they were removed and sent to their deaths. 350,000 Germans in
Russia and Ukraine perished in the next arranged famine of 1932-1933.
Most countries that once had a substantial ethnic German presence no longer do. Whether through
wars, government upheavals, relocation or murder, entire ethnic German cities, regions vanished.
wars, government upheavals, relocation or murder, entire ethnic German cities, regions vanished.
Between 1945 and 1950, 11,730,000 to 15,000,000 Germans fled and were expelled from these
eastern territories of Germany, Czechoslovakia and other Eastern European countries; specifically,
over 6.9 million from the eastern territories of Germany, more than 2.9 million Germans from
Czechoslovakia, and more than 1.8 to 4 million from other parts of Eastern Europe. And besides the
forced expulsion of these 11.7 million people, another 3.1 million died or "disappeared" during the
expulsion/liquidation process. There are mass grave sites in various areas which even today receive
no publicity. At the peak, in July 1946, 14,400 people a day were being dumped over the frontier.
eastern territories of Germany, Czechoslovakia and other Eastern European countries; specifically,
over 6.9 million from the eastern territories of Germany, more than 2.9 million Germans from
Czechoslovakia, and more than 1.8 to 4 million from other parts of Eastern Europe. And besides the
forced expulsion of these 11.7 million people, another 3.1 million died or "disappeared" during the
expulsion/liquidation process. There are mass grave sites in various areas which even today receive
no publicity. At the peak, in July 1946, 14,400 people a day were being dumped over the frontier.
In Slovakia, main German settlements were the region of Zips and the city of Preßburg. In 1910,
Slovaks made up only 14.8% of its population and Preßburg had an ancient Germanic and Magyar
history and was built up and made prosperous over the centuries largely by Austrian. Hungarian and
German traders and scholars. Overnight it became "Bratislava", a name suggested by a meddling
Woodrow Wilson himself in March 1919 after Germany and Austria lost the First World War. As
"Slovakia" became semi-independent in 1919, the 180,000 Carpathian Germans became second class
citizens overnight, but they at least had some minority rights. Even German schools were allowed to
re-open. In 1930, even after attempts to artificially "restock" the area with Slovaks, there was still a
German population of 31,000 in Pressburg itself and 19,000 in the environs. The Czechoslovak
census of 1930 cited 154,821 ethnic Germans in Slovakia. Most were by then Czechoslovak citizens.
Slovaks made up only 14.8% of its population and Preßburg had an ancient Germanic and Magyar
history and was built up and made prosperous over the centuries largely by Austrian. Hungarian and
German traders and scholars. Overnight it became "Bratislava", a name suggested by a meddling
Woodrow Wilson himself in March 1919 after Germany and Austria lost the First World War. As
"Slovakia" became semi-independent in 1919, the 180,000 Carpathian Germans became second class
citizens overnight, but they at least had some minority rights. Even German schools were allowed to
re-open. In 1930, even after attempts to artificially "restock" the area with Slovaks, there was still a
German population of 31,000 in Pressburg itself and 19,000 in the environs. The Czechoslovak
census of 1930 cited 154,821 ethnic Germans in Slovakia. Most were by then Czechoslovak citizens.
A few stayed, despite all obstacles, and others returned after being released from Siberia. The
relation between the minority of surviving Germans and Slovaks has since improved slightly. Some
Carpathian-Germans even received 20% of their confiscated property back. The majority, however,
resettled in Germany after the fall of the Soviet Union.
relation between the minority of surviving Germans and Slovaks has since improved slightly. Some
Carpathian-Germans even received 20% of their confiscated property back. The majority, however,
resettled in Germany after the fall of the Soviet Union.
The expelled German civilians were interned in concentration camps where many were murdered by
intentional starvation and ignored, unchecked disease. The still valid Benes decree #115 of May 8,
1946 declared all deeds against Germans, down to the rape and murder of children, were "justified
acts of retribution" that could not be prosecuted.
intentional starvation and ignored, unchecked disease. The still valid Benes decree #115 of May 8,
1946 declared all deeds against Germans, down to the rape and murder of children, were "justified
acts of retribution" that could not be prosecuted.
Local Carpathian Germans either fled or were killed in death camps such as Svaljava. 700 from
Theresiental were taken for slave labor in Siberia, the last ones not being freed until 1969. At the end
of 1946, after "evacuation", about 24,000 ethnic Germans still remained in Slovakia. Although most
violence against German civilians ended in the late 1940s, the discrimination resulted in assimilation.
Theresiental were taken for slave labor in Siberia, the last ones not being freed until 1969. At the end
of 1946, after "evacuation", about 24,000 ethnic Germans still remained in Slovakia. Although most
violence against German civilians ended in the late 1940s, the discrimination resulted in assimilation.
In the parts of Germany taken for Poland in 1945, the entire ethnic German population was either
murdered, expelled, or faced severe reprisals at war's end. As in East Prussia, throughout Pomerania,
from Danzig to Stettin to Elbing and all of the old Baltic German cities, Allied bombing was
catastrophic followed by Red Terror. The few surviving Germans in these areas were placed before
Communist led "verification" committees who decided their fate. Their language and civil rights were
immediately suspended and many innocents endured horrible retribution. Thousands died fleeing.
murdered, expelled, or faced severe reprisals at war's end. As in East Prussia, throughout Pomerania,
from Danzig to Stettin to Elbing and all of the old Baltic German cities, Allied bombing was
catastrophic followed by Red Terror. The few surviving Germans in these areas were placed before
Communist led "verification" committees who decided their fate. Their language and civil rights were
immediately suspended and many innocents endured horrible retribution. Thousands died fleeing.
Silesian Germans, some of whom had roots in those areas going back centuries, and who before
World War II amounted to about 4 million, were collectively labelled German partisans and either
fled or were murdered, put in camps, sent to the Gulags or expelled. Germans were forced to make
public apologies for their "collective guilt" at social and governmental gatherings. Others were sent to
camps with unbearable conditions. Of 8,064 Germans in Camp Lamsdorf in Upper Silesia, 6,488,
including hundreds of children, died from starvation, disease, hard labor, and physical maltreatment
including torture. This repeated itself by the thousands. 90,000 civilians are believed to have died in
their flight from Breslau as the Red Army was invading the city. Those that were caught were
murdered, sent to the Gulag or put in concentration camps.
World War II amounted to about 4 million, were collectively labelled German partisans and either
fled or were murdered, put in camps, sent to the Gulags or expelled. Germans were forced to make
public apologies for their "collective guilt" at social and governmental gatherings. Others were sent to
camps with unbearable conditions. Of 8,064 Germans in Camp Lamsdorf in Upper Silesia, 6,488,
including hundreds of children, died from starvation, disease, hard labor, and physical maltreatment
including torture. This repeated itself by the thousands. 90,000 civilians are believed to have died in
their flight from Breslau as the Red Army was invading the city. Those that were caught were
murdered, sent to the Gulag or put in concentration camps.
Both the first and second 'Yugoslavia' were the creation of the victorious French, British and
American leaders in 1919 at Versailles. In the first Yugoslav state of 1919-1941, approximately half a
million ethnic Germans lived among 14 million people. Following Yugoslavia's break-up in April
1941, approximately 200,000 ethnic Germans became citizens of the newly established state of
Croatia while most of the remaining approximately 300,000 ethnic Germans in other areas came
under the jurisdiction of Hungary. During the final months of World War II, especially after the
founding of the second Yugoslavia, the lives of the ethnic Germans under Josip Broz Tito's
Communist state became perilous and the majority of them were forced to flee. Tito, who ruled from
1945-1980, carried out “ethnic cleansing” and mass murder with the sanction of the British and
American governments. One of his first acts was a decree transferring "enemy property" into the
property of the state, therefore confiscating all property of the ethnic Germans without
compensation, and declaring those of German origin as “enemies of the people” with no civil rights.
Next, their Yugoslav citizenship was cancelled.
American leaders in 1919 at Versailles. In the first Yugoslav state of 1919-1941, approximately half a
million ethnic Germans lived among 14 million people. Following Yugoslavia's break-up in April
1941, approximately 200,000 ethnic Germans became citizens of the newly established state of
Croatia while most of the remaining approximately 300,000 ethnic Germans in other areas came
under the jurisdiction of Hungary. During the final months of World War II, especially after the
founding of the second Yugoslavia, the lives of the ethnic Germans under Josip Broz Tito's
Communist state became perilous and the majority of them were forced to flee. Tito, who ruled from
1945-1980, carried out “ethnic cleansing” and mass murder with the sanction of the British and
American governments. One of his first acts was a decree transferring "enemy property" into the
property of the state, therefore confiscating all property of the ethnic Germans without
compensation, and declaring those of German origin as “enemies of the people” with no civil rights.
Next, their Yugoslav citizenship was cancelled.
By the end of the war in May 1945, German authorities had evacuated 220,000 ethnic Yugoslav
Germans to Germany and Austria. Those 200,000 or so ethnic Germans left behind in their ancestral
homeland became captives of the Communists. Some 63,635 Yugoslav ethnic German civilians
perished under the brutal Yugoslav reign of terror between 1945 and 1950, most as a result of slave
laborer, in ethnic purges, or from disease and severe malnutrition. The Yugoslav Communists
confiscated what would today translate into twelve billion US dollars of German property, including
97,490 farms, stores, factories and one million acres of German land.
Germans to Germany and Austria. Those 200,000 or so ethnic Germans left behind in their ancestral
homeland became captives of the Communists. Some 63,635 Yugoslav ethnic German civilians
perished under the brutal Yugoslav reign of terror between 1945 and 1950, most as a result of slave
laborer, in ethnic purges, or from disease and severe malnutrition. The Yugoslav Communists
confiscated what would today translate into twelve billion US dollars of German property, including
97,490 farms, stores, factories and one million acres of German land.
Of Danubian ethnic Germans who served in the German military (many had no choice), over half
perished after the end of the war in Yugoslav camps, including about 150,000 of the troops who had
surrendered to British military authorities in the armistice of May 8, 1945 and were turned over to
Communist Yugoslav partisans! More than 7,000 captured German troops died in Communist-
ordered 800 mile “atonement marches" from Austria's southern border to the northern border of
Greece and many German soldiers in captivity in late summer of 1945 were thrown alive into large
pits and executed. Lastly, in the ten years following 1945, an additional 50,000 perished from
malnutrition and exhaustion as Yugoslav slaves.
perished after the end of the war in Yugoslav camps, including about 150,000 of the troops who had
surrendered to British military authorities in the armistice of May 8, 1945 and were turned over to
Communist Yugoslav partisans! More than 7,000 captured German troops died in Communist-
ordered 800 mile “atonement marches" from Austria's southern border to the northern border of
Greece and many German soldiers in captivity in late summer of 1945 were thrown alive into large
pits and executed. Lastly, in the ten years following 1945, an additional 50,000 perished from
malnutrition and exhaustion as Yugoslav slaves.
When the Great War ended, Austria-Hungary was dissolved, the final revised boundaries for
Hungary were formed in June, 1920. Czechoslovakia became a new country carved out of former
Hungarian territory and historic German areas in the Sudetenland, where German settlement had
begun before the 13th century. The new Yugoslavia gained land in Southern Hungary, including a
strip of the western Banat. Romania declared unity with part of the Banat and Transylvania. The
dismemberment of the 1,000 year old Hungarian Kingdom resulted in Hungary losing 71.5% of its
territory and 63.6% of its population at the "Peace Treaty" of Trianon in 1920. Under the treaty,
three and a half million Hungarians were forced, without a right of self-determination, to live with
Serbs, Croats, Slovenians and Romanians in some areas, and in the new Czechoslovakia.
Hungary were formed in June, 1920. Czechoslovakia became a new country carved out of former
Hungarian territory and historic German areas in the Sudetenland, where German settlement had
begun before the 13th century. The new Yugoslavia gained land in Southern Hungary, including a
strip of the western Banat. Romania declared unity with part of the Banat and Transylvania. The
dismemberment of the 1,000 year old Hungarian Kingdom resulted in Hungary losing 71.5% of its
territory and 63.6% of its population at the "Peace Treaty" of Trianon in 1920. Under the treaty,
three and a half million Hungarians were forced, without a right of self-determination, to live with
Serbs, Croats, Slovenians and Romanians in some areas, and in the new Czechoslovakia.
All inherited a large number of ethnic Germans. Millions of Germans
who were able to left. The Swabian villagers whose families had lived in
Hungary for 200 years suddenly found themselves in three different
countries. Between the wars, the lifestyle of rural Germans stayed
somewhat normal but this changed drastically after World War Two.
who were able to left. The Swabian villagers whose families had lived in
Hungary for 200 years suddenly found themselves in three different
countries. Between the wars, the lifestyle of rural Germans stayed
somewhat normal but this changed drastically after World War Two.
Hungary and Romania initially sided with Germany then both changed
sides. Thousands of Germans escaped immediately in horse drawn
convoys as the Soviets were taking control. In Hungary, German owned
land was immediately seized by the government and "Non-Magyarized"
Germans were executed or expelled as traitors. The expulsions took
place in 1946 and resulted in 170,000 Germans being sent to the
American Zone of West Germany and thousands upon thousands
unaccounted for or enslaved.
sides. Thousands of Germans escaped immediately in horse drawn
convoys as the Soviets were taking control. In Hungary, German owned
land was immediately seized by the government and "Non-Magyarized"
Germans were executed or expelled as traitors. The expulsions took
place in 1946 and resulted in 170,000 Germans being sent to the
American Zone of West Germany and thousands upon thousands
unaccounted for or enslaved.
Czechoslovakia, despite promising to guarantee the rights of national minorities under the protection
of the League of Nations in 1918, never did during its first twenty years. Instead, millions of ethnic
Germans and Hungarians were victimized, harassed, outrageously taxed and deprived of their civil
rights. German and Hungarian land was confiscated by the Czech government without compensation
and distributed among Czech and Slovak colonists and censuses were rigged to ensure a
majority.Czech intolerance under this First Czechoslovak "Republic" had made life a hellish misery
for its minorities and these craftily created conflicts led directly to World War Two, the groundwork
having been conceived by its illegitimate president Edward Benes and his comrades who hatched the
diabolic plan for the expulsion of the German and Hungarian population from their homes.
of the League of Nations in 1918, never did during its first twenty years. Instead, millions of ethnic
Germans and Hungarians were victimized, harassed, outrageously taxed and deprived of their civil
rights. German and Hungarian land was confiscated by the Czech government without compensation
and distributed among Czech and Slovak colonists and censuses were rigged to ensure a
majority.Czech intolerance under this First Czechoslovak "Republic" had made life a hellish misery
for its minorities and these craftily created conflicts led directly to World War Two, the groundwork
having been conceived by its illegitimate president Edward Benes and his comrades who hatched the
diabolic plan for the expulsion of the German and Hungarian population from their homes.
The artificially built Second Czechoslovak "Republic" was abetted by foreign assistance and
endorsement which it received despite the megalomaniac and xenophobic Benes Decrees which
substituted the once harmonious coexistence of the Czech, German, Slovak and Hungarian people
with brutality, denial of basic human rights, theft and murder.
endorsement which it received despite the megalomaniac and xenophobic Benes Decrees which
substituted the once harmonious coexistence of the Czech, German, Slovak and Hungarian people
with brutality, denial of basic human rights, theft and murder.
While there were no openly genocidal reprisals in Romania, property of
German-speaking citizens was confiscated without compensation. The
first Transylvanian Germans, the "Sasi", had come to Romania in the
12th Century. From 298,000 ethnic Germans in Siebenbuergen in 1941,
50,000 simply vanished. In 1945, 30,000 were sent to hard labor into
the Ukraine and other areas.The remaining German civilians were
robbed of all factories, machines, business, banks, farms, fields, forests,
vineyards and properties. They were discriminated against, violently
repressed, stripped of the right to vote and deprived of their property,
churches and voting rights.
German-speaking citizens was confiscated without compensation. The
first Transylvanian Germans, the "Sasi", had come to Romania in the
12th Century. From 298,000 ethnic Germans in Siebenbuergen in 1941,
50,000 simply vanished. In 1945, 30,000 were sent to hard labor into
the Ukraine and other areas.The remaining German civilians were
robbed of all factories, machines, business, banks, farms, fields, forests,
vineyards and properties. They were discriminated against, violently
repressed, stripped of the right to vote and deprived of their property,
churches and voting rights.
With Allied victory, Eastern Europe was carved up with the primary goal of destroying any possible
future German prosperity and growth, and to prevent Germany/Austria from ever becoming too
powerful again.
future German prosperity and growth, and to prevent Germany/Austria from ever becoming too
powerful again.
Aside from the unprecedented explusion and ethnic cleansing of millions of Prussians, 3 million of whom died in the
process, between 1944 and 1947, all other ethnic Germans in Eastern Europe were expelled. With the start of the war
between Germany and the Soviet Union, at least 900,000 Germans were deported from the autonomous Volga German
Republic and other parts of the Soviet Union. Siberia, the Urals and Kazakhstan were the deportation areas. In addition,
about 300,000 refugees were forcibly "repatriated" after the war. About 40 per cent of the people died as a result of
massacres in the course of transportation and as a result of catastrophic situations during or after transportation.
process, between 1944 and 1947, all other ethnic Germans in Eastern Europe were expelled. With the start of the war
between Germany and the Soviet Union, at least 900,000 Germans were deported from the autonomous Volga German
Republic and other parts of the Soviet Union. Siberia, the Urals and Kazakhstan were the deportation areas. In addition,
about 300,000 refugees were forcibly "repatriated" after the war. About 40 per cent of the people died as a result of
massacres in the course of transportation and as a result of catastrophic situations during or after transportation.
Over 500,000 German civilians from the Oder-Neiße areas (Silesia, Upper Silesia, East Pomerania, East Brandenburg,
East and West Prussia) and Poland, some 10,000 from central Germany, 30,000 Sudeten Germans and 160,000 civilians
from south-eastern Europe lost their homes and were deported for forced labor in the USSR as early as 1944. About ten
per cent of the victims died in the course of transportation to Russia as a result of homicide, hunger and cold. Practically
half of the so-called repatriated displaced persons died in the camps, one of the worst being the Kolyma Camp.
East and West Prussia) and Poland, some 10,000 from central Germany, 30,000 Sudeten Germans and 160,000 civilians
from south-eastern Europe lost their homes and were deported for forced labor in the USSR as early as 1944. About ten
per cent of the victims died in the course of transportation to Russia as a result of homicide, hunger and cold. Practically
half of the so-called repatriated displaced persons died in the camps, one of the worst being the Kolyma Camp.
Labor camps for Germans existed not only in the Soviet Union, but in almost all the regions from which Germans were
displaced. The last ones were not closed until 1950. In Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, there were death camps.
In addition, practically all the Germans were made to carry out forced labor outside the camps until they were deported.
2,061 camps were run in Czechoslovakia. In the Mährisch-Ostrau camp around 350 people were tortured to death by
early July 1945. In Poland and the areas under Polish administration, there were 1,255 camps. 6,048 out of about 8,000
people died in the Lamsdorf (Upper Silesia) camp alone. For the Yugoslavian area, the Red Cross found 1,562 camps
and prisons. In May 1945, practically all the Yugoslav Germans there were living....and dying... in camps.
displaced. The last ones were not closed until 1950. In Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, there were death camps.
In addition, practically all the Germans were made to carry out forced labor outside the camps until they were deported.
2,061 camps were run in Czechoslovakia. In the Mährisch-Ostrau camp around 350 people were tortured to death by
early July 1945. In Poland and the areas under Polish administration, there were 1,255 camps. 6,048 out of about 8,000
people died in the Lamsdorf (Upper Silesia) camp alone. For the Yugoslavian area, the Red Cross found 1,562 camps
and prisons. In May 1945, practically all the Yugoslav Germans there were living....and dying... in camps.
