The mass escape of Jews from Nazi-occupied Denmark

Seventy years ago this month, an extraordinary mass escape happened from Nazi-occupied Denmark. Tipped off about German plans to deport them to concentration camps, almost the entire Jewish population - several thousand people - fled their homes and left the country.

As he stepped onto the fishing boat that was meant to carry them across the Baltic sea to safety, 14-year-old Bent Melchior feared he might never see his home again.

A week earlier, he had left the home in Copenhagen he shared with his parents and four siblings. It was 8 October 1943 and Denmark was under Nazi occupation. Along with thousands of other Danish Jews, Bent and his family were fleeing the Germans.

"We were gathered in this boat that was supposed to carry herrings, but instead it was now carrying human beings," he says.

They set off after dark. There were 19 people on the boat, hiding below deck in case German planes should spot them from overhead. The night air was chilly and the sea rough.

"People started to be sick, and every minute felt like an hour".

Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24427637

 

Poignant post.. After 73 years and until I die the thing that continually eludes me is the Holocaust. I simply cannot understand how people can kill innocent men, women and children under any circumstance,. The more I read about it and see the results by visiting camps and monuments the less I understand. I was vaguely aware of what happened in Denmark but did not realize so many escaped. Is says a lot for the Danes who helped when they might be caught as well. I only hope I would have had their courage if needed.

Gaines