Figure 1.-- .

The NAZis saw Luxembourg as a legitimate part of Germany. As a result, NAZI occupation authorities almost immediately began to violate the assurances provided the Grand Duchy about its independence. Gustav Simon, Gauleiter of Coblenz-Trier had the Grand Duchy added to his jurisdiction (July 25, 1940). (A Gauleiter was a NAZI govenor.) From the beginning, Simon’s primary goal was to assimilate Luxembourg into the Reich. The NAZIs banned political parties, except for the Volksdeutsche Bewegung (VDB), a Nazi front group formed by Professor Damian Kratzenberg. The VDB’s goal and philosophy was embodied by its slogan, "home to the Reich". The VDB enrolled 84,000 members, a considerable number of people in Luxembourg. Most joined to ensure they could keep their jobs. The actual integration of Luxembourg into the Reich was carried out in a series od small steps. The Gestapo took charge of police functions from the gendarmery (August). German was made the official language in government offices. French had been the official language for 800 years and Letzebergesch, the local dialect. The speaking of both were banned. Children were most affected by changes in the schools. German was introduced as the official language of instruction in all schools. All publications including daily newspapers could only be published in German. Luxembourgers with French sounding names had to change them. There were also major economic changes. Luxembourg had a customs union with Belgium and used Belgian Francs as the official currency. The NAZIs incorporated the Grand Duchy into the German customs area. German Reichmarks replaced Belgian Francs and German currenc. Foreign exchange controls were introduced. Luxembourg suffered the highest fatality rate in percentage of population of all warring parties in Western Europe, with 2% of its population perishing during the occupation.

Initial German Actions

The NAZis saw Luxembourg as a legitimate part of Germany. As a result, NAZI occupation authorities almost immediately began to violate the assurances provided the Grand Duchy about its independence. Gustav Simon, Gauleiter of Coblenz-Trier had the Grand Duchy added to his jurisdiction (July 25, 1940). (A Gauleiter was a NAZI govenor.) From the beginning, Simon’s primary goal was to assimilate Luxembourg into the Reich.

Political Activity

The NAZIs banned political parties, except for the Volksdeutsche Bewegung (VDB), a Nazi front group formed by Professor Damian Kratzenberg. The VDB’s goal and philosophy was embodied by its standared NAZI slogan, "Home to the Reich". The VDB enrolled 84,000 members, a considerable number of people in Luxembourg. Most joined to ensure they could keep their jobs.

Annexation

The actual integration of Luxembourg into the Reich was carried out in a series of small steps, another stndard NAZI tactic. A range of actions affecting everyday life preceeded annexation. The primry objective was Germanization.

Police power

The Gestapo took charge of police functions from the gendarmery (August 1940).

Language

German was made the official language in government offices. French had been the official language for 800 years and Letzebergesch, the local dialect. The speaking of both were banned. Children were most affected by changes in the schools. German was introduced as the official language of instruction in all schools. All publications including daily newspapers could only be published in German. Luxembourgers with French sounding names had to change them.

Economy

There were also major economic changes. Luxembourg had a customs union with Belgium and used Belgian Francs as the official currency. The NAZIs incorporated the Grand Duchy into the German customs area. German Reichmarks replaced Belgian Francs and German currenc. Foreign exchange controls were introduced.

Casualties

Luxembourg suffered the highest fatality rate in percentage of population of all warring parties in Western Europe, with 2 percent of its population perishing during the occupation. This was a higher casualty rate than any other country in Western Europe. This included the countries thst fought the Germans. Many of the casualties were the Luxembourgers conscripted for military service. Most were deploued in the East. The Germans wre ot sure of their loylty fighting in the West.

Created: 8:58 AM 7/21/2016
Last updated: 8:58 AM 7/21/2016