The Second World War reached German territory in 1944. Bombing raids and the victories of the Red Army already resulted in large movements of refugees towards the end of the war.

When Eastern Europe was being liberated from National Socialism, crimes were often committed against local Germans. No distinction was made between those involved in the Nazi regime and those who were not.

After 1945, several Eastern European countries systematically expelled German citizens. The aim was to ‘de-Germanize’ the region, and up to 14 million people fled to the occupation zones in the defeated Germany.

In 1952, almost 10% of the population of Constance were so-called ‘Heimatvertriebene’ (displaced persons). Many first arrived at the refugee camp in Egg and lived in cramped, rented accommodations for a long time. Despite their German origins, they were mostly regarded as foreigners. They lived in a conflict between integrating and the hope of returning home.