German evacuation - Info sheet

During World War Two, the experience of German children was shaped by the national sentiment and the influence of the Nazi regime. In the early stages of the conflict, many German children shared a positive outlook, mirroring the confidence of their parents and the wider society in the war's justification. They were led to believe that Adolf Hitler was a heroic figure, destined to lead Germany to greatness. This belief was further reinforced through participation in the Hitler Youth movement, which, while bearing superficial similarities to scouting organisations elsewhere, harboured more ominous objectives and played a significant role in the indoctrination of young minds.

The war also brought about the need for the evacuation of German children, a lesser-known aspect of the conflict. As the Allied bombing campaigns targeted industrial sites, the unfortunate reality of war meant that residential areas were often hit as well, endangering civilian lives. In response, the German government initiated a large-scale evacuation, moving children and mothers with infants to rural areas perceived to be safe from the bombings. This evacuation began in stages, with the first three-day operation relocating over 800,000 children to regions such as Bavaria, Saxony, and Prussia. As the war escalated and space became scarce, the evacuations expanded beyond Germany's borders to neighbouring countries. Initially voluntary, the relocation of children became mandatory as the situation worsened, reflecting the increasing desperation of the war's impact on German society.