According to the Soviet Central Statistical Office, trophy brigades dismantled 1,119 factories in Poland. In the Soviet occupation zone in Germany the Soviets dismantled 2,955 factories.
The dismantling and removal of thousands of tons of equipment and materials also took place in other countries captured by the Red Army on its way to Berlin. In June 1944, the looting of Romania began. 2,800 railcars of loot were sent from Hungary, 6,500 from Czechoslovakia, and 31,200 from Austria. By August 1945, 215,000 railcars had been sent from Poland.
A report by the Swiss legation in Budapest describes the Red Army’s entry into the city:
“During the siege of Budapest and also during the following weeks, Russian troops looted the city freely. They entered practically every habitation, the very poorest as well as the richest. They took away everything they wanted, especially food, clothing and valuables… every apartment, shop, bank, etc. was looted several times. Furniture and larger objects of art, etc. that could not be taken away were frequently simply destroyed. In many cases, after looting, the homes were also put on fire, causing a vast total loss… Bank safes were emptied without exception — even the British and American safes — and whatever was found was taken.”
Soviet looting did not only concern large industrial centers, it was experienced by ordinary civilians as well. “On July 26, 1945, when returning by bicycle from work, I was unexpectedly pushed off my bicycle in Baranów by two unknown Soviet soldiers and without any explanation they took my bike. My intervention with the Soviet military authorities did not have any effect as the Soviet officer told me that my report was already the 20th in line…”. Countless reports of that kind were recorded all over Poland.
Apart from possessions and factory equipment, the Red Army also confiscated over 60 percent of Poland’s grain stocks. Farmers suffered hunger and the animals had no feed. The Soviets requisitioned the strongest farm animals, leaving behind only the sick and weak.
Sources: “Great Fear. Poland 1944-47” by Dr Marcin Zaremba; Swiss Legation Report of the Russian Invasion of Hungary in the Spring of 1945
According to the Soviet Central Statistical Office, trophy brigades dismantled 1,119 factories in Poland. In the Soviet occupation zone in Germany the Soviets dismantled 2,955 factories.
The dismantling and removal of thousands of tons of equipment and materials also took place in other countries captured by the Red Army on its way to Berlin. In June 1944, the looting of Romania began. 2,800 railcars of loot were sent from Hungary, 6,500 from Czechoslovakia, and 31,200 from Austria. By August 1945, 215,000 railcars had been sent from Poland.
A report by the Swiss legation in Budapest describes the Red Army’s entry into the city: “During the siege of Budapest and also during the following weeks, Russian troops looted the city freely. They entered practically every habitation, the very poorest as well as the richest. They took away everything they wanted, especially food, clothing and valuables… every apartment, shop, bank, etc. was looted several times. Furniture and larger objects of art, etc. that could not be taken away were frequently simply destroyed. In many cases, after looting, the homes were also put on fire, causing a vast total loss… Bank safes were emptied without exception — even the British and American safes — and whatever was found was taken.”
Soviet looting did not only concern large industrial centers, it was experienced by ordinary civilians as well. “On July 26, 1945, when returning by bicycle from work, I was unexpectedly pushed off my bicycle in Baranów by two unknown Soviet soldiers and without any explanation they took my bike. My intervention with the Soviet military authorities did not have any effect as the Soviet officer told me that my report was already the 20th in line…”. Countless reports of that kind were recorded all over Poland.
Apart from possessions and factory equipment, the Red Army also confiscated over 60 percent of Poland’s grain stocks. Farmers suffered hunger and the animals had no feed. The Soviets requisitioned the strongest farm animals, leaving behind only the sick and weak.
Sources: “Great Fear. Poland 1944-47” by Dr Marcin Zaremba; Swiss Legation Report of the Russian Invasion of Hungary in the Spring of 1945