Two blindfolded German officers are led through British lines after the conclusions of negotiations for a truce, under which it was agreed that a 48 square kilometre area around the camp was to be evacuated and placed out of bounds to combatant units of both sides other than those engaged in relief work at the camp.
Lieutenant Colonel R Taylor (left) of 63rd Anti Tank Regiment Royal Artillery discusses the terms of the truce with his staff and two German officers (Oberst Harries centre).
German troops being released back into their own lines as part of the truce agreement.
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| Agreement between the Commander of Bergen Military Training Area and the Chief of Staff of the opposing English (British) Corps. |
Bergen 12 April 1945.
Agreement between the Commander of Bergen Military Training Area and the Chief of Staff of the opposing English (British) Corps.
The Camp Commander has an order from the Reichsführer S.S, for obvious reasons, to surrender Bergen Camp along with two S.S. Concentration Camps (containing approximately 60 000 Prisoners) and the Hungarian Troops and their families to the English (British) Armed Forces to prevent further fighting in this area.
Details are as follows:
1.) The area detailed on the map marked with black crosses at the road entry points is designated a neutral zone.
2.) Both sides agree to carry out all necessary actions to ensure no conflict, the use of heavy weapons, or air raids occur within, or into, this area.
3.) If possible, withdrawing German troops will not enter the neutral zone.
4.) The German Armed Forces will deploy warning signs at the points indicated with black crosses on the map. These signs are to display the warning 'Danger Typhus' to the outside of the area, and 'End of Typhus Area' on the inner side.
5.) The German Armed Forces is responsible for:
a) The custody of the prisoners and the detachment of S.S. Guards until 1200 hrs 13 April 1945. Any remaining S.S. Guards after this time are to be treated as Prisoners of War.
b) Continuation and management of the supply facilities.
c) Continuation and management of the Telephone Exchange until the English (British) Armed Forces take over.
6.) The German and Hungarian guards are to wear white armbands on the left lower arm. They are not to carry out any offensive action against the English (British) Armed Forces. On the other hand the English (British) Armed Forces are commited to allow these armed guards and supply personnel unhindered withdrawal to German lines, complete with their weapons, equipment and vehicles after six days of taking control of the camps.
7.) The S.S. Supply and Administration personnel, the camp Doctor and those who supply food and sanitation will carry out their duties until relieved by the English (British) Armed Forces.
8.) The Hungarian troops and their families were given sufficient food on 10 April 1945 to last four weeks. The supply of additional food, if necessary, is the responsibilty of the English (British) Armed Forces.
9.) The spirit of these negotations is to prevent a disaster for both opposing forces and the local civilian population caused by escaping prisoners.
Both parties declare to carry out all necessary actions to fulfill this agreement as longer as they do not hamper war activities.
Signed
Harries (Colonel, Commander Bergen-Belsen barracks), Schmidt (Colonel Hanns Schmidt ) , Grosan (Colonel Erhard Grosan, Commander Tank Training School Bergen-Belsen Barracks), Taylor-Balfour (Brigadier, Chief. of Staff, British VIII Corps)
Agreement between the Commander of Bergen Military Training Area and the Chief of Staff of the opposing English (British) Corps.
The Camp Commander has an order from the Reichsführer S.S, for obvious reasons, to surrender Bergen Camp along with two S.S. Concentration Camps (containing approximately 60 000 Prisoners) and the Hungarian Troops and their families to the English (British) Armed Forces to prevent further fighting in this area.
Details are as follows:
1.) The area detailed on the map marked with black crosses at the road entry points is designated a neutral zone.
2.) Both sides agree to carry out all necessary actions to ensure no conflict, the use of heavy weapons, or air raids occur within, or into, this area.
3.) If possible, withdrawing German troops will not enter the neutral zone.
4.) The German Armed Forces will deploy warning signs at the points indicated with black crosses on the map. These signs are to display the warning 'Danger Typhus' to the outside of the area, and 'End of Typhus Area' on the inner side.
5.) The German Armed Forces is responsible for:
a) The custody of the prisoners and the detachment of S.S. Guards until 1200 hrs 13 April 1945. Any remaining S.S. Guards after this time are to be treated as Prisoners of War.
b) Continuation and management of the supply facilities.
c) Continuation and management of the Telephone Exchange until the English (British) Armed Forces take over.
6.) The German and Hungarian guards are to wear white armbands on the left lower arm. They are not to carry out any offensive action against the English (British) Armed Forces. On the other hand the English (British) Armed Forces are commited to allow these armed guards and supply personnel unhindered withdrawal to German lines, complete with their weapons, equipment and vehicles after six days of taking control of the camps.
7.) The S.S. Supply and Administration personnel, the camp Doctor and those who supply food and sanitation will carry out their duties until relieved by the English (British) Armed Forces.
8.) The Hungarian troops and their families were given sufficient food on 10 April 1945 to last four weeks. The supply of additional food, if necessary, is the responsibilty of the English (British) Armed Forces.
9.) The spirit of these negotations is to prevent a disaster for both opposing forces and the local civilian population caused by escaping prisoners.
Both parties declare to carry out all necessary actions to fulfill this agreement as longer as they do not hamper war activities.
Signed
Harries (Colonel, Commander Bergen-Belsen barracks), Schmidt (Colonel Hanns Schmidt ) , Grosan (Colonel Erhard Grosan, Commander Tank Training School Bergen-Belsen Barracks), Taylor-Balfour (Brigadier, Chief. of Staff, British VIII Corps)
Just before the truce agreement recommended by Himmler the command of Bergen-Belsen decided to transfer several thousands of prisoner by three trains. The first train left the Bergen-Belsen on April 6 and the last on April 9 1945, each one with approximately 2 500 inmates. Only the second train from April 7th reached Theresienstadt on 21st April 1945.
11 days after truce agreement concerning Bergen-Belsen, on April 23rd Himmler met Bernadotte in Lübeck probably sarcastically told Bernadotte to transport whoever he wants and wherever he wants without any restrictions. He knew that the war was over and he was not in power. He could say take them to the Moon if you like.
