The images below document a visit to Kempten DP camp by a Soviet official, who tried to persuade Lithuanian displaced persons to repatriate voluntarily to Soviet-occupied Lithuania. The photos were donated to the Balzekas Museum for the Baltic DP project and “No Home To Go To” Exhibition by Juozas Blažys, who writes:
“These photographs were taken in Kempten (Germany – Bavaria). As far as I recall, it was the spring of 1946. The Soviet-Russian government sent army officers to our camp. They were escorted by U.S. military police. Lithuanians were told to assemble in one area. Soviet-Russian military officers tried to convince us that we will all come back to the communist Lithuania. As far as I know, none of the Lithuanian refugee expressed the desire to go back to the communist Lithuania.”
— at Kempten DP Camp, Germany.
Soviets came to Kempten press for repatriation, believed to be in 1946
American Military officials required the Lithuanians at the camp to assemble and to hear the Soviet presentation, according to J. Blažys, who witnessed the event and submitted the photographs
Kempten’s Lithuanian DPs, including children, assemble to hear the mandatory Soviet presentation about repatriation.
Soviet official’s attempt at playfulness as U.S. Military Policeman looks on [Photo submitted by Juozas Blažys]
Soviets official during presentation about repatriation at Kempten. US Military officials, who made attendance at the presentation mandatory to Lithuania DPs, look on [Photo submitted by Juozas Blažys]
U.S. Military Police provide crowd control during Soviet official’s presentation about repatriation
Soviet official at Kempten
A Soviet official makes the case for Lithuanian DPs at Kempten about voluntary repatriation to Soviet-occupied Lithuania as armed U.S. Military Police look on. [Photo submitted by Juozas Blažys]
Soviet official during presentation at Kempten [Photos submitted by Juozas Blažys]
