German-occupied Europe

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German-occupied Europe
1938–1945
Anthem: 
1938–1945
"Das Lied der Deutschen"
"The song of the Germans"
German Reich 1942 (Orthographic Projection).svg
German Reich 1942 (Extended).svg
Europe at the height of German expansion in 1942:
Capital Berlin
Common languages German
Demonym(s) German
Reich Commissioner  
 1938–1945
Fritz Katzmann
Reichsstatthalter  
 1938–1945
Adolf Eichmann
 1940–1945
Heinrich Himmler
 1941–1945
Hermann Göring
Historical era Interwar period
Area
19423,300,000 [1]  km2 (1,300,000 sq mi)
Population
 1942
238,000,000 [1]
Currency Reichsmark (ℛℳ)
Succeeded by
Allied-occupied Germany Flag of Germany (1946-1949).svg

German-occupied Europe (or Nazi-occupied Europe) refers to the sovereign countries of Europe which were wholly or partly militarily occupied and civil-occupied, including puppet governments, by the military forces and the government of Nazi Germany at various times between 1939 and 1945, during World War II, administered by the Nazi regime under the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler. [2]

Contents

The German Wehrmacht occupied European territory:

In 1941, around 280 million people in Europe, more than half the population, were governed by Germany or their allies and puppet states. [3] It comprised an area of 3,300,000 km2 (1,300,000 sq mi). [1]

Outside of Europe, German forces controlled areas of North Africa, including Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia between 1940 and 1945. German military scientists established the Schatzgraber Weather Station as far north as Alexandra Land in Francis Joseph Land. Manned German weather stations also operated in North America included three in Greenland, Holzauge, Bassgeiger, and Edelweiss. German Kriegsmarine ships also operated in all oceans of the world throughout World War II.

History

Several German-occupied countries initially entered World War II as Allies of the United Kingdom [4] or the Soviet Union. [5] Some were forced to surrender before the outbreak of the war such as Czechoslovakia; [6] others like Poland (invaded on 1 September 1939) [2] were conquered in battle and then occupied. In some cases, the legitimate governments went into exile, in other cases the governments-in-exile were formed by their citizens in other Allied countries. [7] Some countries occupied by Nazi Germany were officially neutral. Others were former members of the Axis powers that were subsequently occupied by German forces, such as Finland and Hungary. [8] [9]

Concentration camps

Part of German-occupied Europe
Himmler besichtigt die Gefangenenlager in Russland. Heinrich Himmler inspects a prisoner of war camp in Russia, circa... - NARA - 540164.jpg
Head of the SS, Heinrich Himmler, inspects captured prisoners in German occupied Minsk, August 1941.
Date1941–1945
Attack type
Starvation, death marches, executions, forced labor

Germany operated thousands of concentration camps in German-occupied Europe. The first camps were established in March 1933 immediately after Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. Following the 1934 purge of the SA, the concentration camps were run exclusively by the SS via the Concentration Camps Inspectorate and later the SS Main Economic and Administrative Office. Initially, most prisoners were members of the Communist Party of Germany, but as time went on different groups were arrested, including "habitual criminals", "asocials", and Jews.

After the beginning of World War II, people from German-occupied Europe were imprisoned in the concentration camps. About 1.65 million people were registered prisoners in the camps, of whom about a million died during their imprisonment. Most of the fatalities occurred during the second half of World War II, including at least 4.7 million Soviet prisoners who were registered as of January 1945.

Following Allied military victories, the camps were gradually liberated in 1944 and 1945, although hundreds of thousands of prisoners died in the death marches.

After the expansion of Nazi Germany, people from countries occupied by the Wehrmacht were targeted and detained in concentration camps. In Western Europe, arrests focused on resistance fighters and saboteurs, but in Eastern Europe arrests included mass roundups aimed at the implementation of Nazi population policy and the forced recruitment of workers. This led to a predominance of Eastern Europeans, especially Poles, who made up the majority of the population of some camps. The ethnicities of captured people were various other groups from other different nationalities were transferred to Auschwitz or sent to local concentration camps.

Occupied countries

The countries occupied included all, or most, of the following nations or territories:

Country or territory of occupationPuppet state(s) or military administration(s)Timeline of occupation(s)German annexed or occupied territoryResistance movement(s)
Flag of Albania (1934-1939).svg Albanian Kingdom Flag of Albania (1943-1944).svg Albanian Kingdom 8 September 1943 – 29 November 1944None Albanian resistance
Flag of Guernsey.svg Bailiwick of Guernsey

Flag of Jersey.svg Bailiwick of Jersey

Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Occupied Channel Islands
(Part of the Military Administration in France)
30 June 1940 – 9 May 1945 (Guernsey)

1 July 1940 – 9 May 1945 (Jersey)

None Channel Islands resistance
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg First Czechoslovak Republic

Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Second Czechoslovak Republic


Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Third Czechoslovak Republic

Flag of First Slovak Republic 1939-1945.svg Slovak Republic

Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Zone of Protection in Slovakia

1 October 1938 – 11 May 1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau Bayreuth
Flag of Bohmen und Mahren.svg Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Niederdonau
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Oberdonau
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Sudetenland
Czechoslovakian resistance
Flag of Austria.svg Federal State of Austria None [lower-alpha 2] 12 March 1938  – 9 May 1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Kärnten
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Niederdonau
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Oberdonau
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Salzburg
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Steiermark
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Tirol-Vorarlberg
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Wien
Austrian resistance
Flag of the Free City of Danzig.svg Free City of Danzig None [lower-alpha 3] 1 September 1939 – 9 May 1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Danzig-West Prussia Danzigian resistance
Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg French Republic

Flag of Free France (1940-1944).svg Free France


Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg Provisional Government of the French Republic


Flag of Tunisia with French canton.svg  French Tunisia

Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Military Administration in Belgium and Northern France


Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Military Administration in France


Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat of Belgium and Northern France

10 May 1940 – 9 May 1945Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau Baden
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau Westmark
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Wallonien
French resistance
Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Military Administration of Luxembourg

Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Civil Administration of Luxembourg

10 May 1940 – February 1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau Moselland Luxembourg resistance
Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg Italian Islands of the Aegean Flag of Italy.svg Italian Islands of the Aegean 8 September 1943 – 8 May 1945None
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Military Administration in Belgium and Northern France

Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat of Belgium and Northern France

10 May 1940 – 4 February 1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau Cologne-Aachen
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Wallonien
Belgian resistance
Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark Protectorate state 9 April 1940 – 5 May 1945None Danish resistance
Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg Kingdom of Greece Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Military Administration in Greece 6 April 1941 – 8 May 1945None Greek resistance
Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946; 3-2 aspect ratio).svg Kingdom of Hungary Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946; 3-2 aspect ratio).svg Kingdom of Hungary 19 March 1944  – May 1945None Hungarian resistance
Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg Kingdom of Italy Flag of Italy.svg Italian Social Republic 8 September 1943 – 2 May 1945None Italian resistance
Flag of Norway.svg Norway Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Norwegen 9 April 1940 – 8 May 1945None Norwegian resistance
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Niederlande 10 May 1940 – 20 May 1945None Dutch resistance
Flag of Yugoslavia (1918-1943).svg Kingdom of Yugoslavia Flag of Albania (1943-1944).svg Albanian Kingdom

Flag of Montenegro (1905-1918 & 1941-1944).svg German-occupied territory of Montenegro


Flag of Independent State of Croatia.svg Independent State of Croatia


Flag IMARO.svg Independent State of Macedonia


Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Territory of the Military Commander in Serbia
6 April 1941 – 15 May 1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Kärnten
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Steiermark
Yugoslav resistance
Flag of Monaco.svg Monaco None8 September 1943 – 3 September 1944None
Flag of Finland.svg Finland NoneSeptember 15, 1944 – April 25, 1945NoneFinnish resistance
Flag of Lithuania.svg Republic of Lithuania

Provisional Government of Lithuania

Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Ostland 22 March 1939 – 21 July 1940

23 June 1941 – 5 August 1941

Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau East Prussia Lithuanian resistance
Flag of Poland (1928-1980).svg Republic of Poland Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Military Administration in Poland

Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg General Government administration


Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Ostland


Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Ukraine

1 September 1939 – 9 May 1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Bezirk Bialystok
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau East Prussia
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau Schlesien
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau Oberschlesien
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg General Government
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Danzig-West Prussia
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichsgau Wartheland
Polish resistance
Flag of San Marino.svg San Marino None (military trespassing)17–20 September 1944None
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Territory of the Military Commander in Serbia Flag of the Government of National Salvation (occupied Yugoslavia).svg Commissioner Government

Flag of the Government of National Salvation (occupied Yugoslavia).svg Government of National Salvation

April 30, 1941 – January 1945None Serbian resistance
Flag of First Slovak Republic 1939-1945.svg Slovak Republic Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Zone of Protection in Slovakia 23 March 1939 – May 1945None Slovakian resistance
Flag of Saar 1920-1935.svg Territory of the Saar Basin None. [lower-alpha 4] 1 March 1935 – April 1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau Palatinate-Saar
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau Saar-Palatinate
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Gau Westmark
Saar Basinian resistance
Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukrainian National Government Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Ukraine 30 June 1941 – September 1941 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg General Government Ukrainian resistance
Parts of the Flag of the Soviet Union (1936-1955).svg Soviet Union Lepel Republic

Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Military Administration in the Soviet Union


Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Ostland


Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Ukraine

22 June 1941 – 10 May 1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Bezirk Bialystok
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg General Government
Soviet resistance

Governments in exile

Allied governments in exile

Government in exileCapital in exileTimeline of exileOccupier(s)
Flag of Austria.svg Austrian Democratic Union Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London 1941–1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Reich/Greater German Reich
Flag of Free France (1940-1944).svg Free France Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London
(1940–1941)
Flag of Free France (1940-1944).svg Algiers, French Algeria
(1942 – August 31, 1944)
1940 – August 31, 1944 Flag of France.svg French State
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Reich/Greater German Reich
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Military Administration in Belgium and Northern France
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat of Belgium and Northern France
Flag of Poland (1928-1980).svg Government of the Republic of Poland in exile Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg Paris
(September 29/30, 1939 – 1940)
Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg Angers, French Republic
(1940 – June 12, 1940)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London
(June 12, 1940 – 1990)
September 29/30, 1939 – December 22, 1990 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Reich/Greater German Reich
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reich Commissariat East
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reich Commissariat Ukraine
Flag of First Slovak Republic 1939-1945.svg Slovak Republic
Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg Soviet Union
Flag of Poland.svg People's Republic of Poland
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London
(October 22, 1940 – September 8, 1944)
October 22, 1940 – September 8, 1944 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Reich/Greater German Reich
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Military Administration in Belgium and Northern France
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat of Belgium and Northern France
Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark None1943–1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Reich/Greater German Reich
Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London1940–1944 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Reich/Greater German Reich
State flag of Greece (1863-1924;1935-73).svg Kingdom of Greece Flag of Egypt (1922-1958).svg Cairo, EgyptApril 29, 1941 – October 12, 1944 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Reich/Greater German Reich
Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg Kingdom of Italy
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Kingdom of Bulgaria
Flag of Norway.svg Norway Flag of the United Kingdom.svg LondonJune 7, 1940 – May 31, 1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Norwegen
Flag of Yugoslavia (1918-1943).svg Kingdom of Yugoslavia Flag of the United Kingdom.svg LondonJune 7, 1941 – March 7, 1945 Flag of Albania (1943-1944).svg Albanian Kingdom
Commissioner Government
Flag of Montenegro (1905-1918 & 1941-1944).svg German-occupied territory of Montenegro
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Reich/Greater German Reich
Flag of the Government of National Salvation (occupied Yugoslavia).svg Government of National Salvation
Flag of Independent State of Croatia.svg Independent State of Croatia
Flag IMARO.svg Independent Macedonia
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Kingdom of Bulgaria
Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946; 3-2 aspect ratio).svg Kingdom of Hungary
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Territory of the Military Commander in Serbia
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London1940–1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Niederlande
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Provisional Government of Czechoslovakia Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg Paris
(October 2, 1939 – 1940)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London
(1940–1941)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Aston Abbotts, United Kingdom
(1941–1945)
October 2, 1939 – April 2, 1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Reich/Greater German Reich
Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946; 3-2 aspect ratio).svg Kingdom of Hungary
Flag of First Slovak Republic 1939-1945.svg Slovak Republic

Axis governments in exile

Government in exileCapital in exileTimeline of exileOccupier(s)
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Kingdom of Bulgaria Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Vienna, Greater German Reich September 16, 1944 – May 10, 1945Flag of Bulgaria.svg Kingdom of Bulgaria
State Flag of Greece (1863-1924 and 1935-1973).svg Kingdom of Greece
Flag of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.svg Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Flag of France (1794-1958).svg French State Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Sigmaringen, Greater German Reich 1944 – April 22, 1945 Flag of France.svg Provisional Government of the French Republic
Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946).svg Kingdom of Hungary Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Vienna, Greater German Reich

Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Munich, Greater German Reich

March 28/29, 1945 – May 7, 1945Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Republic
Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946).svg Kingdom of Hungary
Flag of Romania.svg Kingdom of Romania
Flag of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.svg Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Flag of Romania.svg Kingdom of Romania Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Vienna, Greater German Reich 1944–1945 Flag of Romania.svg Kingdom of Romania
Flag of Montenegro (1905-1918, 1941-1944).svg Montenegrin State Council Flag of Independent State of Croatia.svg Zagreb, Independent State of Croatia Summer of 1944 – May 8, 1945Flag of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.svg Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Flag of First Slovak Republic 1939-1945.svg Slovak Republic Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Kremsmünster, Great-German Reich April 4, 1945 – 8 May 1945Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Republic
Flag of the Government of National Salvation (occupied Yugoslavia).svg Government of National Salvation Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Kitzbühel, Great-German Reich October 7, 1944 – 8 May 1945 Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg Soviet Union

Neutral governments in exile

Government in exileCapital in exileTimeline of exileOccupier(s)
Flag of Belarus (1918, 1991-1995).svg Belarusian Democratic Republic Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Prague, Czechoslovak Republic
(1923–1938)

Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Prague, Czecho-Slovak Republic
(1938–1939)


Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Prague, German Reich/Greater German Reich
(1939–1945)

1919 – present Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Reich/Greater German Reich
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Realm Commissariat East
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Realm Commissariat Ukraine
Flag of Poland.svg Republic of Poland
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union
Flag of Estonia.svg Republic of Estonia Flag of Sweden.svg Stockholm, Kingdom of Sweden
(1944 – August 20, 1991)

Flag of the United States.svg New York City, United States

June 17, 1940 – August 20, 1991 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Ostland
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union
Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukrainian People's Republic Flag of Poland.svg Warsaw, Republic of Poland
(1920–1939)

Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Prague, German Reich/Greater German Reich
(1939–1944)

1920 – August 22, 1992 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg German Reich/Greater German Reich
Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946; 3-2 aspect ratio).svg Kingdom of Hungary
Flag of Romania.svg Kingdom of Romania
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Reichskommissariat Ukraine
Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg Soviet Union

See also

Notes

  1. Including the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia and the General Government
  2. Although there was substantial popular support in Austria for some type of (re)unification with Germany, Chancellors Engelbert Dollfuss and his successor Kurt Schuschnigg wanted to maintain at least some type of independence. Dollfuss had implemented an authoritarian regime now termed Austrofascism, continued by Schussnigg, which imprisoned many members of the Austrian Nazi Party and the Social Democratic Party which both favored unification. Violence by Austrian Nazi Party members including the assassination of Dollfuss, along with German propaganda and ultimately threats of invasion by Adolf Hitler, eventually led Schuschnigg to capitulate and resign. Hitler, however, did not wait for his hand-picked successor, Austrian Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart, to be sworn in and ordered German troops to invade Austria at dawn on 12 March 1938, where they were met with cheering crowds and an Austrian army previously ordered not to resist.
  3. Upon request of its Nazi-dominated senate, the city was directly annexed to Germany along with the surrounding Polish Pomeranian Voivodeship.
  4. In a referendum in 1935, over 90% of residents supported reunification with Germany over remaining a League of Nations protectorate of France and the United Kingdom or joining France.

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  8. Hanson, Victor Davis (2017-10-17). The Second World Wars: How the First Global Conflict Was Fought and Won. Basic Books. ISBN   9780465093199.
  9. Cornelius, Deborah S. (2011). Hungary in World War II: Caught in the Cauldron. Fordham Univ Press. ISBN   9780823233434.

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Primary sources