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Romany

Last Update 13 June 2006

  




Belzec Roma Camp
Belzec Romany Camp *
The Romany ("Gypsies") are an ethnic group of Indian origin. They call themselves Sinti in Germany, Lalleri in Austria and Roma in southeast Europe.

The Romany, like the Jews, were persecuted and exterminated by the Nazis on grounds of race. Between 220,000 and 500,000 Romany were killed in Europe during WW2, mainly in Auschwitz, Chelmno, the Aktion Reinhard camps, by the Einsatzgruppen, and in other concentration camps or forced labour camps.

The Sinti, the group who settled mainly in north-west Europe with their distinct culture, have been resident in Germany for some 600 years.
As early as 21 September 1939 Reinhardt Heydrich, head of the RSHA (Reich Security Main Office), in accordance with Nazi racist ideology, decided to deport the Romany to the Generalgouvernement in occupied Poland.
Himmler's order of 27 April 1940 that 2,500 German Romany be deported to Belzec, Krychow, and Siedlce in occupied Poland was put into action in May. The deportation transports left from Hamburg, Köln, and Hohenasperg near Stuttgart.

Photos:

USHMM*
GFH*


The story of Martha W.    = more detailed.
The story of Regine Böhmer and Lotte Braun.    = more detailed.
The story of Gottfried Weiss    = more detailed.

German Roma, deported to
Belzec and Majdanek #1
*
German Roma, deported to
Belzec and Majdanek #2
*
Roma Children in Belzec

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