Passport Secrets of World War II
Passport secrets World War II
In the years 1942–1943, an informal group of Polish diplomats and activists from Jewish organizations operated at the Polish Legation in Bern, Switzerland. Its goal was to save the Jewish population that found itself in the territories controlled by the Reich.
Jews for whom South American passports were illegally issued avoided deportation to German extermination camps. The holders of these documents – Paraguayan passports – were sent by the Germans to internment camps. Thanks to this, many of them survived the war. Passport secrets World War II
Watch the documentary in Polish language. You can change the language of the subtitles to your needs.
During World War II, as the Nazi regime’s grip on Europe tightened, a remarkable act of defiance and compassion emerged from an unlikely source: the Paraguayan passport issued in Switzerland. Paraguayan diplomat, Dr. José Félix Estigarribia, and other South American diplomats stationed in Switzerland, played pivotal roles in this humanitarian effort.
Often issued in exchange for bribes or as part of underground operations, these documents became lifelines for many Jews.
These diplomats, often at great personal risk, issued Paraguayan passports to Jews trapped in Nazi-occupied Europe. These documents, though not guaranteeing safe passage, provided a crucial lifeline by granting their bearers some protection from deportation to concentration camps. The Paraguayan passports symbolized hope and survival in a time of widespread persecution.
The Swiss connection was essential as Switzerland remained neutral during the war, offering a relatively safe base for diplomatic activities. This neutral stance allowed Paraguayan consulates to operate more freely, facilitating the issuance of these lifesaving documents.
The courageous actions of Dr. Estigarribia and his colleagues saved countless lives, demonstrating the profound impact of diplomatic efforts in times of crisis. These Paraguayan passports remain a testament to the power of international solidarity and the profound difference that individuals can make, even in the darkest of times.
Further reading: Passports, Profiteers, Police – A Swiss War Secret passport secrets World War II
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