Train to freedom – the first days of freedom

 

The freed men, women and children were initially accommodated in the Hadwig Building, then as now part of the St. Gallen University of Teacher Education.

Photographer Walter Scheiwiller happened to be on location and captured these images – a few examples:

 

 

At registration


At the infirmary – many were completely exhausted.


Here, an image of a young boy with notable doctor Hans Richard von Fels. You can see that the child has regained trust in other people.

 

Many rested and recuperated from the hardships they had endured and engaged in completely normal activities, with the horrors now behind them.

Eating together was as unusual as enjoying time together without fear.

The future was uncertain. But hope had grown, and laughter had returned.