The Swedish Red Cross White Bus operation was the largest rescue action in Nazi-occupied territories during World War II. Volunteers carried out one of the greatest humanitarian operations of all time, and gave new hope to countless families.
Inspired by the ordinary heroes who created a life-changing outcome for thousands of humans in need, we offer unique character-building learning experiences.
Swedish Red Cross’s report on the White Buses summarizes the research on the rescue operation in the Red Cross archives and other sources.
Foreword (1)
e Swedish Red Cross rescue action with the White Buses to Germany in the last phase of the Second World War has...
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Introduction (2)
Introduction At the end of the Second World War, when Germany was heading for military and political breakdown, the large Swedish lead...
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Background (3)
Background In 1933 Adolf Hitler, as leader of the National socialist party, was elected leader of Germany. The people, suffering from the...
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Swedish press politics (4)
Swedish press politics Europe was politically insatiable at the end of the thirties. In 1938 Germany started its expansion policy by annexing...
Read MoreSweden’s post-war strategy (5)
Sweden’s post-war strategy Germany’s luck started turning in the summer of 1942. It became more apparent that the allied forces were stronger,...
Read MoreThe rescue action take shape (6)
Sweden’s post-war strategy In 1944 the war seemed to head towards its end and there was increasing worries about what would happen...
Read MoreBernadotte’s negotiations (7)
Bernadotte’s negotiations A key person in the rescue action was the National minister and SS commander Heinrich Himmler, being the only person...
Read MoreThe rescue action begins (8)
The rescue action begins The Swedish rescue action was to be carried out by the Swedish Red Cross, so much was ready....
Read MoreNew negotiations, the action is extended (9)
New negotiations, the action is extended Stockholm considered the removal of the Scandinavian prisoners to Neuegamme as only part of the objective....
Read MoreHelp from Denmark (10)
Help from Denmark At the beginning of April part of the Swedish detachment returned to Sweden as planed. The remaining personnel and...
Read MoreThe first prisoners arrive in Sweden (11)
The first prisoners arrive in Sweden Bernadotte’s positive outcome at the negotiations on the 2nd of April immediately led to action. The...
Read MoreThe Scandinavian prisoners in Neuegamme are evacuated (12)
The Scandinavian prisoners in Neuegamme are evacuated On the 19th of April Bernadotte arrived at Friedrichsruh were there was a feeling of...
Read MoreNew negotiations (13)
New negotiations On the 21st of April Bernadotte met with Himmler again to negotiate for more concessions.Earlier the same day Felix Kersten...
Read MoreTransportation from Ravensbrück (14)
Transportation from Ravensbrück As soon as the Red Cross detachment in Friedrichsruh received news of the of the negotiationswith Himmler preparations started...
Read MoreThe ghost train (15)
The ghost train When Svensson’s group returned the white buses had fulfilled their duties in Germany. The front was closing in rapidly...
Read MoreTransports to Lübeck (16)
Transports to Lübeck After the evacuation of Scandinavians from Neuegamme there were tens of thousands of prisoners of different nationalities left. They...
Read MoreThe expedition is concluded (17)
The expedition is concluded The detachment’s assignments were now divided into two sections. One section, under Captain Melin, was assigned to transport...
Read MoreEpilogue (18)
Epilogue The expedition with the White Buses was a daring and dangerous venture that was carried out in a chaotic time, without...
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