Swinemünde

The former East Prussian port Swinemünde, was at the end of the war, a magnet for the millions of refugees who were forced to flee the Red Army. It is estimated that nearly two million refugees were loaded in the German port cities in the east, and then were sailed in safety to the west or to Denmark.

Early in 1943 the Germans built a T750 navy protective bunker in the harbour. The bunker was used as headquarters for a fast attack craft flotilla and is today used by the Polish Navy.

Because of the many refugees and wounded soldiers the population of Swinemünde in spring 1945 was increased significantly. On 12 March 1945 the city was bombed by over 650 U.S. bombers. It is estimated that between 8,000 and 23,000 people died in the attack. German historians has later called the night "Das inferno von Swinemünde".

The 5th May Swinemünde  was conquered by the Russians.