Many Accomplices

A large number of administrative entities were involved in the preparation and execution of the deportations and willingly provided assistance to Nazi authorities.

The deportations from the districts of Hannover and Hildesheim were organized under the lead of the Gestapo control center in Hannover. The center put together the list of names for the “transports” prior to each of the eight deportations from the city and enlisted the support of different government sectors.

In the city, Gestapo officials delivered the deportation orders and brought the Jews to the collection point Ahlem. In the rural districts, mayors or constabularies were instructed by the district offices to take on this task. The Uniformed Police guarded the deportation victims at the assembly points and in the trains. The German National Railway supplied designated trains. The local tax offices “utilized” the last possessions of the deportation victims. The district president was informed of all plans for the deportations.

Picture credits

1. Digital Image Archives, Historical Museum Hannover
2. and 3. Federal Archives Berlin (BArch, BDC RS)