The Evacuation of East Prussia – German Refugees in World War II (1944 – 1945)

When the Second World War in Europe came to a close Germany was facing one of the largest refugee crisis in history during the Soviet invasion of East Prussia. As the Soviets took East Prussia district leader (Gauleiter) Erich Koch – located in Königsberg – didn't give the evacuation order. Therefore civilians went on their own initiative when the Soviet conquest of East Prussia happened. It was a risky journey. Many German refugees were overtaken by the Red Army and killed. Others died of hunger and cold. Aristocrats from landowning families such as Dönhoff, Lehndorff and Dohna organised treks to the west. Due to the Yalta Agreements East Prussia was abolished and carved up by the Soviets and the Poles. It led to the expulsions of Germans after WW2 and the end of East Prussia.
History Hustle presents: The Evacuation of East Prussia – German Refugees in World War II (1944 – 1945).
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Recorded in August 2020 in Olsztyn, Poland.
SOURCES
– Forgotten Land. Journeys Among the Ghosts of East Prussia (Max Egremont).
– The Death of East Prussia. War and Revenge in Germany's Easternmost Province (Peter B. Clark).

IMAGES
Images from commons.wikimedia.org.

MUSIC
"Devastation and Revenge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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"Exciting Trailer" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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"Failing Defense" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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"Dark Times" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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"Evil March" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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"Crossing the Chasm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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SOUNDS
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Видео The Evacuation of East Prussia – German Refugees in World War II (1944 – 1945) канала History Hustle