The Kindertransport

What is it? “Children’s transport” to save Jewish children in Nazi Germany by sending them to Great Britain 1938-1940

Background Following Kristallnacht, Britain recognized the Nazi threat upon German citizens Britain eased immigration restrictions No formal, regular entry visas were required, just a simple “document of identity” issued with the automatic approval of the British authorities in Germany Eased restrictions for certain categories of Jewish refugees As far as we know, the NAZIs did not interfere, but we do not have a lot of information on this. We believe that NAZI authorities did deny exit permits for a few of the children selected. We do not know on what basis this was done. The names were then forward to the RCM to obtain British approval. As far as we know British approval was pro forma. We do not know of any children refused entry. The Wehrmacht seized Czechoslovakia (March 1939). The RCM hastily organized Kindertransport groups in Prague. The selection process there was thus different. Bill Barazetti and Miss Warminer, ocersaw the Czech Kindertransport rescue operation from a Prague hotel room, Some Polish groups were organized (February and August 1939). We are not sure about the selection process there.

Allowed children under 17 to enter Britain temporarily to be cared for by British citizens or organizations About 50% of the children lived with foster families, others stayed in groups in schools or hostels Citizens /organizations had to guarantee payment for each child’s care, education, and eventual emigration from Britain Temporary travel visas older children were put up on hostels, many of the younger children were adopted Any infants included would be cared for by other children on the transport It was believed at the time that when the crisis was over, the children would return to their families The British Government refused to accept any financial responsibility. The Government also insisted that the children would have to eventually emigrate from Britain. Not the most hostpitable conditions, but at least they were out of Germany. The Government agreed to permit the unaccompanied children to enter on a simple travel visa. Parents or guardians were not permitted to accompany the children. There were also a few infants cared for by the older children.

The Transports First kindertransport was in December ’38; last September 1939 (Germany) Organized by Jewish organizations Prioritized children Parents no longer able to care for them Homeless/orphans First transport took 200 children from a jewish orphanage in Berlin which had been destroyed in Kristalnacht Absolute final transport was from Netherlands in May 1940

9,000-10,000 children were rescued from: Germany Czechoslovakia Austria Poland About 7,500 of them were Jewish About 10,000 children were saved--the largest group of children to be saved from the NAZIs. There had been optimistic hopes of saving 50,000 children, but the War intervened cutting off the Kindertransport escape route. Hitler as the war approached made it clear what his plans were for the Jews

After the War Became British citizens after the War Emigrated to Israel, U.S., Canada, or Australia Most never saw parents again Parents murdered in the holocaust