Eisenhower Telegram to the War Department,
18 October 1945
(National Archives, Washington, D.C., RG165)
At the conclusion of World War II more than fifteen million
Germans were driven from their homes in central and eastern Europe.
It has been estimated that 2,111,000 Germans died directly as a
result of these mass expulsions. The primary reference on this
subject is: Alfred M. de Zayas, "Nemesis at Potsdam: The Expulsion
of the Germans from the East" (University of Nebraska Press) Lincoln
and London - ISBN 0-8032-9907-9.
WAR DEPARTMENT
CLASSIFIED MESSAGE CENTER
INCOMING CLASSIFIED MESSAGE
TOP SECRET TOT
PRIORITY
CRYPTOGRAPHIC SECURITY DOES NOT APPLY. HANDLE AS TOP SECRET
CORRESPONDENCE PER PARAS 44g AND 53a AR 380-5
From: CG US Forces European Theater Main Frankfurt Germany
To: War Department
Nr: S 28399..... 18 October 1945
S 28399 to for action War Dept for G 2 attn Major General Clayton
Bissell from Hqs US Forces European Theater Main from Connor from
Sibert sgd Eisenhower cite ETGBI. TOP SECRET.
Detailed reports from reliable observers including an officer from G
2 Div confirm indications of critical situation developing in area
Silesia and eastern Germany.
In Silesia, Polish administration and methods are causing a mass
exodus westward of German inhabitants. Germans are being ordered out
of their homes and to evacuate New Poland. Many unable to move are
placed in camps on meager rations and under poor sanitary
conditions. Death and disease rate in camps extremely high. Germans
who attempt to hold onto homes and land are terrorized into
"Voluntary" evacuation. Methods used by Poles definitely do not
conform to Potsdam agreement. Polish administration disorganized in
Silesia and no security exists for inhabitants of region.
Due to mass migrations into Brandenberg and Saxony, health
conditions in these regions tragically low. There is unprecedented
lack of food, medical supplies, and doctors. Reasonable estimates
predict between 2.5 and 3 million victims of malnutrition and
disease between Oder and Elbe by next spring.
CM-IN-8742 (18 Oct 45)
WAR DEPARTMENT
CLASSIFIED MESSAGE CENTER
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Page 2
From: CG US Forces European Theater, Main Frankfurt Germany
Nr: S28399 18 October 1945
Breslau death rate increased ten fold, and death rate reported to be
75% of all births. Typhoid, typhus, dysentery, and diphtheria are
spreading.
Total number potentially involved in westward movement to Russian
Zone of Germany from Poland and Czechoslovakia in range of 10
million. Estimate 65 to 75 per cent already departed or on the road
westward. No coordinated measures yet taken to direct stream of
refugees into specific regions or provide food and shelter. Tendency
of refugees is to move into cities, and cities of Saxony, especially
are becoming dangerously over crowded. Attention is invited in this
connection to serious danger of epidemic of such great proportion as
to menace all Europe, including our troops, and to probability of
mass starvation unprecedented scale.
Copies of special reports for your information are being forwarded
by Mail Annex Nbr 3 to our Special Intelligence Bulletin Nbr 3 gives
a preview of this problem.
End
ACTION : Gen Bissell
INFO: Gen Arnold, Gen Hull, C of S
CM-In-8742 (18 Oct 45) DTG 181435A da
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