Himmler's Hostages by Tom Wall

Author:Tom Wall [Wall, Tom]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Military / World War II
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2021-01-17T23:00:00+00:00

Dachau, 26 April 1945

Finally, the wait was over. New vehicles had been secured to replace the buses destroyed. (The requisitioning of scarce vehicles and fuel indicates the priority afforded to this transport by the SS, something that could have only been decided at a high level within the organisation). Stiller called out urgently to the German kin prisoners, ‘Prepare to leave! Bring only what you can carry in your hands!’24 These Sippenhaft prisoners joined with members of the Prominenten in a walk along the central avenue of the camp running between the rows of huts. As previously, thousands of ordinary camp prisoners, still awaiting evacuation themselves, gathered along the route staring in wonderment at the procession of evacuees, some in prison clothes, others in civilian and military attire, some well-dressed, and a few even exotically attired. Some carried their belongings in rudimentary sacks made from blankets. Metal pots, pans, bowls and cups clanged together making the parade sound like a gypsy caravan. Others carried suitcases and, ignoring Stiller’s order, a wheel cart loaded with cases and bags was being pushed along. The SS guards forced a path through the mass of watching prisoners curious about this strange parade of disparate and exotic evacuees.

The Schuschniggs walked together; Vera’s beauty must have attracted attention, although, on this occasion, her husband Kurt appeared the more extravagantly attired in his Tyrolean outfit: knee britches and waist-length jacket, and carrying little Sissi in his arms.25 The Blums were close by, mari et femme, Léon, walking with the aid of a stick, managed to stride along, raising himself on his toes with each step.26 Both Schuschnigg and Blum were recognised by some of the onlookers. Their names were spoken and news of their presence circulated. Arms were raised in salute by many of the bystanders; some with clenched fist, others, embarrassingly, perhaps out of habit, with a Fascist style open hand, presumably directed at Schuschnigg. A few proudly called out their nationality and some of the Prominenten responded in like manner. It was an emotional exchange, no one could be sure they would ever see their homeland again. As Léon Blum walked through the ranks of these desperate and emaciated prisoners, no doubt hearing calls from his own countrymen, he tried hard to control his emotions; ‘the heart must steel itself or break. I felt mine was about to break.’27

Passing through the main Dachau gate they caught glimpses of a train at a halting not far from a number of parked army buses and trucks which they were about to board. Schuschnigg had been told earlier by a Czech SS guard of dreadful scenes when train wagons arrived full of the corpses of mostly Jewish prisoners evacuated from camps in the East. Schuschnigg had told the Blums about this and, as they waited to embark on the buses, Janot, Blum’s wife, attempted to see for herself. It was now dusk and as she moved through the shadows to approach the wagons, a search light illuminated her and she was warned to go back by SS guards.

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