The Savage Peace

The Savage Peace refers to the brutal treatment of German civilians by the victorious Allied powers and local populations in East Europe after World War II. This period, spanning from 1945 to the late 1940s was marked by widespread violence, forced expulsions and atrocities against ethnic German Christians, particularly those living in areas that were previously part of Germany or had been annexed by Nazi Germany.

Eyewitness Accounts and Historical Records:-

Testimonies from eyewitnesses and victims, as well as historical records, reveal the shocking extent of actual violence and suffering endured by German civilians. In East Germany, voters who had enthusiastically supported the Nazi party in the 1933 elections were disproportionately targeted, with many suffering severe reprisals.
In Poland and Czechoslovakia, ethnic Germans who had lived peacefully for centuries were subjected to brutal forced expulsions, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths.

Violence and Atrocities:-

The Savage Peace included a range of atrocities, such as:

Massacres and killings
Rape and sexual violence
Forced labor and starvation
Destruction of homes and property
Ethnic cleansing and forced expulsions
Historical Context and Legacy

The treatment of German civilians during this period was a direct response to the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime during World War II. However, many historians argue that the scale and brutality of the reprisals were disproportionate and unjustified. The Savage Peace serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and International law, particularly the Geneva Convention even in the aftermath of conflict.

Documentaries and Sources:-

Several documentaries, including “1945: The Savage Peace” on BBC Select, have shed light on this dark chapter in European history.
These documentaries feature rare and unseen archived footage as well as eyewitness testimonies, to convey the horrors of this period.

Note: This documentary is NOT available on YouTube in it's entirety and NO longer available on PBS or BBC iPlayer.