The Expellees in Germany—Yesterday and Today

Abstract

The unimaginable misery suffered by the expellees in those years was barely known outside of Germany. Very few foreigners paid any attention or made any effort to establish privately funded assistance. Victor Gollancz was one of these few who attempted to publicize the catastrophe. He undertook several missions to the British Zone in Germany after which he followed up with reports to the British Parliament. His numerous books, in particular Our Threatened Values and In Darkest Germany, as well as many of his articles, contributed greatly to a degree of awareness of the expellee problem, to the launching of relief efforts and an increase in food rations.

Partake with others the living space on foreign soil, Share graciously what you possess, that mercy you may also find.

Many deem it certain that in not too distant days to cherished homelands they shall turn again —thus do exiles oft caress their souls.

So lightly I shall not deceive myself in these sorrowful days that presage continued sorrow.

Indeed, the bonds of the world have been unloosened; who shall retie them?

Alone extreme Necessity, the direst Need before us.¹