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| Most of the Holocaust survivors who came on UNRRA White Boats to Sweden were earlier prisoners in the concentration camps like Bergen-Belsen and Ravensbrück. Hundreds of children arrived on UNRRA "Children boats" during the last two days of operation that ended on July 26, 1945. Some children in this group are from Piotrków Trybunalski. At the end of 1944, they were sent to Buchenwald and Ravensbrück and thereafter to Bergen-Belsen. |
After the war ended in May 1945, Sweden received approximately 12,000 Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, many of whom arrived via UNRRA "White Boats" operations from Lübeck during June-July 1945. Most of the Holocaust survivors who came on White Boats to Sweden were earlier prisoners in the concentration camps like Bergen-Belsen and Ravensbrück. Hundreds of children arrived on UNRRA "Children boats" during the last two days of operation that ended on July 26, 1945.
In Sweden, several Jewish and Zionist organizations were established. Hashomer Hatzair was an umbrella organisation for many others. established various training centers (hachsharot)*.
The very first group of children left Sweden for "South" on May 17th, 1946, already 10 months after arrival from concentration camps.
Several groups of Jewish children were waiting (a.o. in Southern France) until the State of Israel was established in 1948 and went first thereafter to Israel.
Several groups of Jewish children were waiting (a.o. in Southern France) until the State of Israel was established in 1948 and went first thereafter to Israel.
* According to statistics by Hashomer Hatzair in Sweden, there were in 1946 3,311 Chaverim who possibly could go sooner or later to the South (Eretz Israel). However, of them, 472 were still at Emergency Hospitals (Beredskapssjukhus) or sanatoria. Chaverim is the Hebrew word for "friends" or "companions". It can also refer to specific Jewish organizations.