Najväčší tábor vojnových zajatcov na Slovensku so sovietskym strážením v Bratislave v roku 1945
The Largest Prisoner-of-war Camp in Slovakia with Soviet Guard in Bratislava in 1945
Autor: BOGNÁR Zalán
BOGNÁR, Zalán: Najväčší tábor vojnových zajatcov na Slovensku so sovietskym strážením v Bratislave v roku 1945
BOGNÁR, Zalán: The Largest Prisoner-of-war Camp in Slovakia with Soviet Guard in Bratislava in 1945.
Vojenská história, 18, 3, 2014, pp. 45-59.
In this contribution, the Hungarian historian focuses on the history of existence of the prisoner-of-war camp in Bratislava shortly after the end of fights for liberation of Slovakia. He explains origination of two camps, probably under a single command: in the Squadron barracks and in the Artillery barracks. Most prisoners came from the territory of Austria or the Czech Republic. The prisoner-of-war camps in Bratislava originated within a week after 4 April, surrounded by double barbed wire. The study further focuses on the conditions in these camps, i.e. accommodation and subsistence – for the ranks and officers separately. The camps in Bratislava also served as transit camps for prisoners from the original collection camps. The author also details the numbers and structure of prisoners by individual nationalities, stating that the total number of prisoners of war in Bratislava, i.e. in the two sections located in the Squadron and Artillery barracks, amounted to 80 thousand, with the highest number of Germans and Hungarians; however, according to Hungarian coevals, there were also many Slovaks, Ruthenians, Poles, etc. In the camps’ inner life, especially the Germans used to have significant positions, due to their discipline. The author estimates that at least 200,000 people passed through the prisoner-of-war camp in Bratislava (in both sections) during its existence (approximately until 1945).
Keywords: Military History. Slovakia. Prisoner-of-war Camp in Slovakia with Soviet Guard in Bratislava in 1945.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.69809/vojhist.2014.18.3.3
Ročník: 18 | Číslo: 3/2014 | Stránky: 45-59
