Records Relating to World War II Era Refugees, Displaced Persons, Relief and War Crimes

Civilian Records

Records of International Conferences, Commissions, and Expositions (Record Group 43)

Records regarding discussion about refugees and displaced persons can be found in the following series:

• Records of the Council of Foreign Ministers {ca. 1945-1955} {Lot M-88}  (Entry UD-16)
• Records of the Council of Foreign Ministers, Country Files, 1946-48 (Entry A1-484)
• Records of the Council of Foreign Ministers, Research Reports 152 And 160, April-May 1950 (Entry A1-658)

General Records of the Department of State (RG 59)

Among the headquarters records of the Department of State are many records relating to refugees, displaced persons, relief efforts, and war crimes during the World War II era.  The records are divided between the central files and the decentralized files of the Department.  The decentralized files are often referred to as “Lot Files.”  

While there is significant overlap among the central and decentralized records, researchers will find unique material in both categories of files.  For example, the central files are the most authoritative source for the telegrams, airgrams, and despatches exchanged between the Department and its overseas posts.  At the same time, the decentralized files contain copies of many of those documents.

In addition to the records of the Department of State, there are records of other agencies that are so closely related to those of the Department that they warrant mentioning.

• Central Files
• Decentralized Files
• Other Agencies
• Publications

Central Files

During the World War II era, the Department’s central file is arranged according to a pre-determined decimal subject classification scheme known as the Central Decimal File.  The records are arranged subjectively in nine classes.  Within these classes, the files are further broken down by subject: 

►Class 0 General. Miscellaneous

►Class 1: Administration

►Class 2: Extradition

►Class 3: Protection of Interests

►Class 4: Claims

►Class 5: International Congresses and Conferences

►Class 6: Commerce

►Class 7: Political Relations of State

►Class 8: Internal Affairs of States (This class is further divided into file categories on political affairs; public order, safety, health, and works; military affairs; naval affairs; social matters; economic matters; industrial matters; communication and transportation; navigation; and other internal affairs.)

The records are mostly instructions to and despatches, telegrams, and airgrams from American Foreign Service Officers overseas. The despatches are often accompanied by enclosures. In addition to official exchanges between the Department of State and its field representatives, there are notes exchanged between the Department of State and foreign diplomatic and consular representatives in the United States, memorandums by officials of the Department, correspondence and memorandums exchanged with other agencies of the U.S. Government, and correspondence with private firms and individuals.

The Class 8 files “840.48” and “840.48 REFUGEES” are the primary files relating to two major problems facing the United States from 1938 to 1949: (l) how to handle relief measures in a Europe in the throes of war and political conflict and (2) how to deal with refugees displaced by persecution and fighting and unable to return home in the war's aftermath.  The Department’s interest and involvement with relief efforts began before the outbreak of war in Europe in September 1939 and continued after the war ended there in May 1945

File “840.48” constitutes the Department’s main records documenting the general problem of calamities, disasters, and relief activities in Europe.  Major topics covered in this file include State Department assistance to the American Red Cross in shipping drugs, medical supplies and equipment, and other relief supplies to Europe; wartime relief efforts for the civilians of occupied countries; postwar relief activities of the Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation Operations (OFRRO), the President's War Relief Control Board, the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), and C.A.R.E. (Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe, Inc.); former President Herbert Hoover's visit to Europe and Asia in March and April 1946 as chairman of the President's Famine Committee; and overall relief aspects of European reconstruction, better known as the Marshall Plan.  This file has been microfilmed and is available on rolls 1-18 of National Archives Microfilm Publication M1284: Records of the Department of State Relating to the Problems of Relief and Refugees in Europe Arising from World War II and Its Aftermath, 1938-1949.

File “840.48 REFUGEES” deals with the problem of European refugees.  The early part of the file contains material documenting U.S. concern for political and Jewish refugees in Germany and Austria before World War II.  This concern led the United States to call for a conference to discuss the situation.  The meeting, known formally as the Intergovernmental Meeting on Political Refugees, took place at Evian, France, from July 6 to 15, 1938.  During the meeting, the numerous participating countries decided to establish a continuing body, the Intergovernmental Committee for Political Refugees, to be located in London.  This file contains documentation on U.S. participation in the Intergovernmental Committee, and, beginning in September 1939, documents the problem of European refugees all over the world.  The file also contains materials documenting Department of State cooperation on the refugee problem with other agencies of the U.S. Government, other governments, and private organizations.  For the period after the war, the file contains documentation on Displaced Persons (DP's) and refugees from communism in Eastern Europe.  Special topics include the settling of Jewish refugees in Santo Domingo at the Sosua Settlement by the Dominican Republic Settlement Association (l940-45); the trip of Linton Wells through Angola (May-August 1939) to examine that area for possible settlement of refugees; the smuggling of refugees, particularly Jewish refugees, out of Europe to all parts of the world; illegal Jewish migration to Palestine; the establishment and liquidation of the Polish refugee camp at Santa Rosa, Mexico; reports on refugee camps in Kenya; the activities of the War Refugee Board, including its weekly reports of activities and news and the appointment of special War Refugee Board attaches to U.S. missions; the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Refugees and Displaced Persons at Allied Force Headquarters; the flight of Baltic refugees to Sweden in the face of Soviet annexation of their countries; the liquidation of the Emergency Refugee Shelter at Oswego, N.Y.; problems resulting from the forced removal of Germans from Poland and Czechoslovakia; postwar repatriation of refugees; and liquidation of the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees (1947).  This file has been microfilmed, too, and is available on rolls 19-70 of National Archives Microfilm Publication M1284: Records of the Department of State Relating to the Problems of Relief and Refugees in Europe Arising from World War II and Its Aftermath, 1938-1949. 

Key finding aids to the Central Decimal File, created contemporaneously by the Department, are the Purport Lists and the Purport Cards.  These lists and cards describe the documents indexed to the central file.  The lists and cards covering the years 1910-44 have been microfilmed and are available on National Archives Microfilm Publication M973: Purport Lists for the Department of State Decimal File, 1910-44.  The records for 1945-49 period are not available on microfilm.  The lists and cards for “840.48” and “840.48 REFUGEES” for the 1938-44 period are found on rolls 387, 573, and 643.  You can find them in NARA's online catalog. 

Other file categories in the Central Decimal File that deal with refugees, displaced persons, relief efforts, and war crimes during the World War II era, include the following (where needed, replace the ** with the appropriate country number):

●501.BD Refugees UN Special Committee on Refugees

●548.G1 Bermuda Conference to consider the Refugee Problem, 1943

●740.00116 EW European War: Illegal and Inhumane Warfare

●740.00116 PW Pacific War: Illegal and Inhumane Warfare

●8**.4016 Internal Affairs of Countries: Race Problems 

●840.4016 DP Displaced persons in Europe

●8**.48 Internal Affairs of Countries: Calamities and disasters 

●840.50 Recovery European Recovery (The Marshall Plan)

●840.50 UNRRA United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration

Decentralized Files

Among the decentralized files of the Department of State maintained by the operating bureaus and offices are numerous archival series of records that relate to refugees and displaced persons, relief, and war crimes.  These files often serve as a useful complement to the documentation found in the central file. 

• Refugees and Displaced Persons
• Relief
• War Crimes

Refugees and Displaced Persons 

●RG 59, Entry A1-1405: Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees/ Records Relating to Administration and Finances, 1943–1947 (NAID 2124223)

Arranged by subject.  This series consists of despatches, telegrams, airgrams, correspondence, memorandums, and other material relating to the IGCR in general and its administration and finances in particular. (4 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1406: Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees/ Records Relating to Meetings, 1943–1947 (NAID 2124224)

Arranged for the most part by meeting.  The records consist of telegrams, despatches, documents, agendas, reports, and other material relating to committee, plenary, and executive committee meetings.  Also included is material relating to the Liquidation Meeting of November 1947. (4 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1407: Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees/ Subject Files, 1942–1947 (NAID 2124225)

Arranged by subject.  This series consists of correspondence, reports, memorandums, telegrams, airgrams, despatches, minutes of meetings, and other material.  Subjects include Jewish refugees, Earl G. Harrison and the Harrison Report, the IGCR mandate, the IGCR relationship with UNRRA and the War Refugee Board, and the Bermuda Conference. (4 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1408: Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees/ Country Files, 1938–1941 (NAID 2124226)

Arranged alphabetically by name of country.  The files include correspondence, documents, memorandums, memorandums of conversation, telegrams, despatches, notes exchanged with other governments, and other material.  Subjects include refugees, immigration policy, the IGCR, smuggling of refugees, anti-Semitic legislation and activities, the Evian Conference, resettlement, and other related topics.  (7 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1409: Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees/ Alphabetical Subject Files, 1938–1941 (NAID 2124227)

Arranged alphabetically by subject.  This series consists of correspondence, clippings, memorandums, memorandums of conversation, diplomatic notes, telegrams, despatches, and other material.  In general, the files document the IGCR and the U.S. government’s relations with it.  Specific topics include various relief committees, child refugees, the Coordinating Committee for Refugees, the Coordinating Foundation, the Dorsa settlement, the League of Nations, the Evian Conference, mercy ships for children, minorities, passports, political refugees, the President’s Advisory Committee, Spanish civil war refugees, the work and activities of Myron Taylor, and French, German, and Spanish refugees.  (15 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1410: Special Committee on Migration/Subject File, 1943–1944 (NAID 2124228)

Arranged by subject.  The records consist of memorandums, telegrams, correspondence, reports, documents, agendas, minutes of meetings, and other material relating to the work and activities of the committee.  Topics include displaced populations and groups in various countries, the Advisory Committee on Displaced Populations, the Allied Control Commission, civilian internees, advice to military authorities, the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees, refugees and displaced persons, relief efforts, repatriation, and surrender terms.  (4 boxes)   

●RG 59, Entry A1-1411: Special Committee on Migration/Minutes of Meetings, 1943–1944  (NAID 2124229)

Arranged chronologically.  Minutes of meetings of the committee.  Includes a set maintained by the chairman, H.F. Arthur Schoenfeld.  (less than one box)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1412: Special Committee on Migration/ Alphanumeric Files, 1943–1944 (NAID 2124230)

Arranged according to an alpha-numeric filing system.  This series consists of correspondence, memorandums, reports, and other material.  The files largely document administrative matters such as regular and special meetings, procedures and arrangements, statistics, transportation, and means of identification.  (less than one box)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1413: Special Committee on Migration/ Memorandums, 1943–1944  (NAID 2124231)

Arranged numerically.  The records consist of the “Migration Memos” issued by the committee.  Topics include a proposed registration card, refugee and migration problems in Eritrea, the internment camp at Ferramonte di Tarsio, procedures for dealing with civilian internees, and the condition of Jews in Italy and Sardinia. (less than one box)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1414: Special Committee on Migration/Documents, 1943–1944 (NAID 2124232)

Arranged numerically.  This series consists of the “Migration Documents” issued by the committee.  The documents include reports on displaced populations and groups in the Axis and Axis-occupied countries, recommendations to military authorities on treatment of such people, communications between Allied- and Axis-controlled areas, and the problem of displaced persons in general.  (2+ boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1415: Special Committee on Migration/Records Relating to Atrocities Committed by the Nazis, 1944–1945 (NAID 2124233)

Unarranged.  The records consist of despatches, telegrams, memorandums, newspaper clippings, reports, and other material relating to Nazi atrocities.  Specific topics include Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen, the work of the War Refugee Board, and Raoul Wallenberg.  (1 box)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1416: Records Relating to U.S. Participation in the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration/ Subject File, 1944–1947 (NAID 632510) 

Arranged by subject.  This series consists of correspondence, reports, memorandums, orders, documents, agendas, telegrams, airgrams, despatches and other material relating to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA).  Specific topics include the organization and functions of UNRRA, that organization’s relationship to work in the areas of refugees and displaced persons, UNRRA’s sessions and conferences, the Standing Committee on Displaced Persons, relations with U.S. military forces in Europe, and refugee camps.  (9 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1417: Records Relating to the War Refugee Board/Subject Files, 1944–1945 (NAID 632794)

Arranged by subject.  The files include correspondence, reports, memorandums, memorandums of conversation, telegrams, despatches, diplomatic notes, and other material relating to the handling of refugee matters and liaison with the War Refugee Board.  Specific topics include the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee; the Emergency Shelter at Oswego, NY; the Hirschmann Report on War Refugee Board activities in Turkey; the Olsen Report on War Refugee Board operations from Sweden; the concept of ransom for victims; and refugee camps.  (2 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1418: Records Relating to the Santa Rosa Polish Refugee Camp, 1944–1946 (NAID 632917)

Arranged by subject.  This series consists of correspondence, reports, memorandums, and other material relating to the Polish refugee camp established in Santa Rosa, Mexico during World War II.  The camp was also known as the "Colonia Santa Rosa".  Subjects include the budget, financing, personnel, and liquidation.  (1 box)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1419: Records Relating to the International Refugee Organization (IRO) and the Displaced Persons Commission (DPC)/IRO Subject File, 1946–1952 (NAID 633145)

Arranged by subject.  The files include correspondence, reports, documents, memorandums, telegrams, airgrams, despatches, and other material relating to the IRO.  Specific topics include the creation of the IRO, the Preparatory Commission, agreements, resettlement, Congressional hearings, the IRO constitution, the Executive Committee, finances, organization and functions, rations, reparations, shipping, and IRO activities in various countries.  (26 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1420: Records Relating to the International Refugee Organization (IRO) and the Displaced Persons Commission (DPC)/DP Subject File, 1944–1952 (NAID 633145)

Arranged by subject or country.  The records consist of correspondence, memorandums, reports, telegrams, documents, clippings, diplomatic notes, airgrams, despatches, and other material relating to displaced persons.  Specific topics/countries include almost all the countries of Europe and the Far East and Palestine, minority populations in those countries, the occupation of Germany, restitution of property, and the Displaced Persons Commission.  (16 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1421: Records Relating to the International Refugee Organization (IRO) and the Displaced Persons Commission (DPC)/Resettlement File, 1941-1952 (NAID 633145)

Arranged by subject.  The files include correspondence, memorandums, reports, telegrams, airgrams, despatches, documents, clippings, diplomatic notes, and other material relating to the resettlement of refugees.  Included are files on the resettlement policies of most European and Latin American countries, and files on specific resettlement proposals in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Louisiana.  (7 boxes)

Relief 

●RG 59, Entry A1-1364: UNRRA Handbook, 1943 (NAID 632510)

A handbook prepared for the U.S. delegation to the first session of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.  In general, it covers the scope and functions of that organization.  Specific topics include the draft UNRRA agreement, rules and procedures, and projected relief distribution policies.  (1 box)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1365: Records Relating to UNRRA’s Founding, 1940–1944 (NAID 632510)

Arranged by subject.  The records consist of memorandums, telegrams, airgrams, despatches, correspondence, notes, and other material relating to the development of UNRRA. Specific topics include negotiations with the British, relief measures planned for various countries, and UNRRA’s probable reception by the U.S. congress.  (2 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1366: Records Relating to the UNRRA Council, 1943–1949 (NAID 632510)

Arranged by UNRRA council session and thereunder by subject, committee, or subcommittee.  The files consist of correspondence, memorandums, reports, documents, and other material relating to the work and activities of the UNRRA Council.  Specific topics include agricultural and industrial rehabilitation in Europe and the Far East, displaced persons, welfare, health and quarantine matters, and the ability of countries to support relief and rehabilitation efforts.  (26 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1367: Subject Files of U.S. UNRRA Council Delegate Dallas Dort, 1944–1947 (NAID 632510)

Arranged alphabetically by subject or name of country.  The records consist of correspondence, memorandums, memorandums of conversation, reports, telegrams, notes from other governments, and other material relating to the work and activities of UNRRA.  In addition to files on various countries, topics include animal carriers, UNRRA personal, supplies, sanitary conventions, and wheat.  (3 boxes)
 

War Crimes 

●RG 59, Entry A1-1368: Office of the Legal Adviser/Records Relating to German War Crimes, 1942–1946 (NAID 634007)

Arranged by subject.  The files consist of telegrams, airgrams, despatches, notes, memorandums, aides-memoire, summaries, chronologies, correspondence, documents, and other material relating to the planning, definition, policy, and organization of U.S. participation in the war crimes program as it affected Europe.  Specific topics include cooperation with other governments, extradition of suspected war criminals, quislings, asylum, crimes against humanity, anti-Jewish atrocities, negotiations, and denazification of postwar Germany.  (5 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1369: Office of the Legal Adviser/Records Relating to U.S. Participation in the United Nations War Crimes Commission, 1943–1949 (NAID 634007)

Arranged by subject.  The records consist of telegrams, airgrams, despatches, correspondence, instructions, documents, and other material relating to the work of the United Nations War Crimes Commission (UNWCC) and U.S. participation in it.  Specific topics include the establishment of the commission, the work and activities of the commission, and U.S. policy in the commission.  (11 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1370: Office of the Legal Adviser/UNWCC Lists of War Criminals, 1944–1948 (NAID 634007)

Arranged by type of list and thereunder numerically.  The files consist of the “List of War Criminals,” “Alphabetical Index,” and “Staff of German Concentration Camps.”  (6 boxes)

●RG 59, Entry A1-1371: Office of the Legal Adviser/Records Relating to Japanese War Crimes, 1943–1960 (NAID 634007)

Arranged by subject.  The records consist of telegrams, airgrams, despatches, notes, memorandums, summaries, aides-memoire, chronologies, correspondence, documents, and other material relating to the planning, definition, policy, and organization of the U.S. regarding war crimes committed by Japanese military personnel and civilians.  Specific topics include classes of war criminals (A, B, & C), the Emperor, disposition of war crimes cases before and after the signing of the peace treaty with Japan, and the Clemency and Parole Board for War Criminals (Japanese).  (8 boxes) 

●RG 59, Entry A1-1372: Office of the Legal Adviser/Country Files, 1943–1950 (NAID 634007)

Arranged alphabetically by country.  The files consist of telegrams, airgrams, despatches, intelligence reports, and other material.  In general, the files document war crimes and war criminals, war crimes programs and trails, and attitudes towards war criminals in various countries.  (6 boxes)

Publications

The published series FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES includes sections on refugee and relief matters.  Most of the documents printed there come from the Central Decimal File described above.  These compilations are available online.

1938

●Meeting at Evian, France, to form an intergovernmental committee for assistance of political refugees from Germany including Austria. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1938v01/comp7

●Organization of the Intergovernmental Committee on Political Refugees from Germany; efforts to aid resettlement and to secure cooperation of Germany to mitigate destitution of the refugees.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1938v01/comp8

1939

●Cooperation with the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees to assist persons forced to emigrate, primarily from Germany, for political or racial reasons.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1939v02/ch9

1940

●Cooperation with the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees to assist persons forced to emigrate, primarily from Germany, for political or racial reasons. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1940v02/ch2subch3

1941

●Cooperation with the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees to assist persons forced to emigrate, primarily from Germany, for political or racial reasons.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1941v01/ch8

1942

●Governmental assistance to persons forced to emigrate for political or racial reasons.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1942v01/ch9

1943

●Bermuda Conference to consider the Refugee Problem, April 19-28, 1943, and the implementation of certain of the Conference recommendations.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1943v01/comp6

●Governmental assistance to persons forced to emigrate for political or racial reasons.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1943v01/comp7

●Consideration of projected organization and operations of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration
https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1943v01/comp18

1944

●Governmental assistance to persons forced to emigrate for political or racial reasons.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1944v01/comp8

●Participation by the United States in the work of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1944v02/comp8

1945

●Interest of the United States in the relief and rescue of Jews and security detainees in Germany and German-occupied territory.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1945v02/comp11

●Concern of the United States over problems involving displaced and stateless persons and refugees.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1945v02/comp12

●Interest of the United States in the transfer of German populations from Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Rumania, and Austria.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1945v02/comp13

●Participation by the United States in the work of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1945v02/comp7

1946

●Concern of the United States over problems involving displaced persons and refugees; transfer of German minorities; repatriation of interned civilians, ex-enemy nationals, and liberated Soviet prisoners of war; efforts to regulate the migration of Jews from Poland into the United States zones of occupation in Germany and Austria.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1946v05/ch9subch1

●Policy of the United States with respect to the termination of international relief activities through the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA)https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1946v01/comp20

1947

●The United States program for providing relief assistance to war-devastated countries, upon the termination of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA)

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1947v01/comp15

Records of the Foreign Service Posts of the Department of State (RG 84)

This record group consists of documents originally filed at American embassies, legations, and consulates. Although much documentation is duplicated in the State Department's Central Files, there is often some unique documentation and even discrete series of records relating to activities unique to the post.

The records are filed by post, thereunder by year or block of years, and thereunder according to the foreign service post decimal filing scheme, which resembles the State Central Decimal filing scheme.

File categories from 1938-1948 that might include relevant documentation include:

• 711 (War. Peace.)
• 711.5 (Civil Prisoners)
• 800 (Political Affairs)
• 840.1 (People - Race Problems)
• 848 (Calamities. Disasters) - Used for relief measures.
• 851.51 (Financial Exchange) - Used for refugee funds

Records of the following posts include files regarding refugees:

• Austria, Records of the Political Advisor (POLAD) and USCOA (High Commissioner), Vienna, Austria
• France, Records of the Political Advisor to SHAEF (Paris)
• Great Britain, Records of the U.S. Embassy, London, and Records Maintained by Ambassador John G. Winant, 1938-46
• Hungary, Records of the U.S. Legation and Mission, Budapest
• Italy, Records of the Political Advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean
• Portugal, Records of the U.S. Embassy, Lisbon
• Spain, Records of the U.S. Embassy, Madrid
• Sweden, Records of the U.S. Embassy, Stockholm
• Switzerland, Records of the U.S. Legation, Bern

Foreign Economic Administration (FEA) – RG 169 

The Foreign Economic Administration (FEA) was created in September 1943 by combining several existing agencies.  In general, FEA had responsibility for the wartime functions of export control, foreign procurement, lend-lease, reverse lend lease, participation in foreign relief and rehabilitation, and economic warfare.  In addition to the records of the FEA itself, this record group includes records of the predecessor organizations.  One of those organizations was the Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation Operations (OFFRO) in the Department of State.  That office existed from December 1942 to late 1943, when it was combined with other agencies to form the FEA.  The office was responsible for distributing relief aid and goods for the production of basic civilian necessities; providing technical advice and services with respect to relief and civilian economy; and facilitating the restoration of agriculture, housing, and transportation in areas liberated from enemy occupation.  The separate records of OFRRO were transferred to the FEA and are now part of that record group. 

●RG 169, Entry P-7: Records Relating to the Polish Refugee Camp in Colonia Santa Rosa, Mexico, 1942–1945 (NAID 1692879)

Arranged by subject.  This series consists of reports and studies, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and other types of documents concerning facilities, conditions, personnel, budget matters, and supplies at the Polish refugee camp in Mexico, established for the short-term housing of persons displaced from Poland because of political and military conditions.  The despatches are from United States embassies in various South American countries.  Much of the correspondence is with private relief committees and councils representing Polish interests, as well as with cooperating United States Government agencies.  Included are lists of refugees housed at the camp and documents furnishing information about the political and military situation leading to the transportation of the refugees to Mexico.  (4 boxes)

●RG 169, Entry PI 29-124: Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation Operations/General Subject File, 1942-1944 (NAID 1331659)

Arranged alphabetically by subject.  Correspondence, memoranda, reports, copies of minutes of meetings, and other material dealing with such subjects as supplies, travel, relief, communications, interrelationships with other agencies, refugees, and program planning with respect to assistance to liberated areas.  Included are administrative orders and memoranda and materials on the budget and appropriations.  Subsequent documentation on these topics is embedded in the files of various FEA offices. (58 boxes).

●RG 169, Entry PI 29-156A: Historical Files on Relief and Rehabilitation Operations, 1940-45 [1940-1948] {OFRRO Historian’s Records} (NAID 1694257)

Arranged in broad topical areas and thereunder by subject.  This series consists of correspondence, memorandums, despatches, telegrams, agendas and minutes of meetings, reports and studies, committee records, news releases, bulletins, transcripts of radio addresses, lists of commodities, maps, and other documentation relating to the issues of relief and rehabilitation in liberated areas.  Broad topics include the formulation of plans for the establishment of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA); the work and activities of the Combined Committee for French North and Western Africa (CCNA) and the North African Economic Board (NAEB); UNRRA conferences; the establish, administration, organization, and operations of the Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation Operations (OFRRO); the work and activities of committees working on relief and rehabilitation issues; and European food supplies.  Specific topics include the effects of blockades, lend-lease requirements, negotiation of agreements with foreign governments, work with non-governmental agencies, the plight of refugees, allocations, procurement of food and supplies, need for health programs, budget and finance, equipment, shipment and transportation, as well as general and specific conditions found in the liberated countries and planning for the post-war world.  The records document relief and rehabilitation activities in North and West Africa, Western Europe, and the Far East.  (149 boxes)

Records of the Displaced Persons Commission (Record Group 278)

The Displaced Persons Commission was created by Congress in 1948 to administer the selection and resettlement in the United States of certain European displaced persons.  The records that are preserved consist of the policy and administration files of the Commission.  Files relating to individual displaced persons or lists of names of displaced persons are not among the records in the National Archives.   The commission went out of existence in 1952.

In addition to the Commission’s central subject files, there are budget files, records of commissioners Harry N. Rosenfield and Edward M. O'Connor, and records, mostly subject files, of the following divisions: the Legal Division, the Information and Editorial Division; the Research and Statistics Division, the Resettlement Division, and the European Division.

Records of Interdepartmental and Intradepartmental Committee (Record Group 353)

The State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee (SWNCC) was a key interdepartmental committee. It was established in December 1944 to reconcile the views of the State, War, and Navy departments and to formulate politico-military policies. SWNCC prepared policies for occupying and controlling Japan, Germany, and Austria; and position papers for use by the United States at international conferences.

The records of the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee (SWNCC) include records on refugees and displaced persons. See the following series:

• SWNCC Documents, 1944-49 (Entry A1-503)
  • Document 80 (and sub-cases)- Displaced Persons in Germany and Austria
  • Document 359 (and sub-cases)- Evacuation of Jewish Displaced Persons and Other Unassimilablee Displaced Persons from Austria
  • Document 176/14 - Displaced Persons in Korea, January 10, 1946
  • Document 205 (and sub-cases)- Repatriation of Displaced Person in Japan

Military Records

Researchers interested in European refugees during World War II should also consult the files of various military organizations.  There are many places to look:

The general correspondence files of the major military organizational units during World War II are arranged by the War Department Decimal Filing System. The decimal for refugees is 383.7 and information on refugees is often located in the G-5 (Civil Administration) and/or the Adjutant General's section.

Documentation concerning refugees can be located at every major organizational level. For Europe the levels are as follows:

• Secretary of War
• Adjutant General's Office
• Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF)
• European Theater of Operations (ETO) - wartime
• US Forces European Theater (USFET) - occupation period
• Army Groups - 6 and 12
• Numbered Armies - 1, 3, 7, 9
• Corps

Below the Corps level, the general correspondence files were normally destroyed

Post-War (Occupation) Records

• Office of Military Government for Germany (OMGUS) - AG and Civil Affairs
• ACC Austria
• ACC Italy

Special Cases:

Records of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for War (Record Group 107)

• Formerly Security Classified Correspondence of John J. McCloy, 1941-45
• General Correspondence of John J. McCloy, 1941-45
  • War Refugee Board (file 400.38)
• Formerly Security-Classified Correspondence of Howard Peterson, 1945-47

Records of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) (Record Group 331)

• Records of the SHAEF General Staff Organizations, Records of the Chief of Staff
  • Records of the Secretary, General Staff
    • Decimal correspondence files, decimal 383.7, refugees and displaced persons
• Records of the Economics Staff
  • Subject File, 1944-45
    • Refugees and displaced persons

Records of U.S. Army Commands, 1942- (Record Group 338)

• Records of the Secretary, General Staff
  • Classified General Correspondence, 1944-45
    • Decimal 383.7 (refugees and displaced persons)

See also OSS Record Group 226), OMGUS (Record Group 260), and Naval Attache records.