Description

Allenstein was plundered and burned by the invading Soviet Red Army on January 22 1945 as the Eastern Front reached the city. Allenstein's German population evacuated the region or were subsequently expelled. On August 2 1945 the city was placed under Polish administration by the Soviets (according to the Potsdam Agreement) and officially renamed Olsztyn. In October 1945 the German population of Allenstein was expelled by Order of City Commanders Olsztyn to assemble on October 18 at Karl Roensch Street barracks camp for voluntary transfer to Germany. Any Germans who did not depart were put in punishment camps.