A massive deportation took place in Hungary in March 1944 - the destination was Auschwitz-Birkenau. In desperation the legations commenced issuing provisional passes for Jews with special connections to their countries. The Swedish legation in Budapest succeeded in convincing the Germans that the bearers of these passes would be treated as Swedish citizens and be exempt from wearing the yellow Star of David. However, the Swedish legation needed immediate staff reinforcements to carry on this highly dangerous mission.

During spring 1944, the world awoke and realised what Hitler's "final solution to the Jewish problem" involved. In May 1944, the first authentic eye witness report reached the western world of what happened in the extermination camp Auschwitz. It was given by two Jews who had managed to escape the German gas chambers.

Hitler's plans for the extermination of the Jews of Europe, thus, became known. In Hungary, which had joined Germany in the war against the Soviet Union in 1941, there still lived an estimated 700,000 Jews at the beginning of 1944.

When the Germans lost the battle of Stalingrad in 1943, Hungary demanded a separate peace. Hitler replied to the Hungarian head of state, Miklós Horthy, by demanding continued solidarity with Germany. When Horthy refused to meet the demands, Hitler invaded Hungary on 19 March 1944. Soon after the invasion, the deportations of Hungarian Jews began. The destination was Auschwitz-Birkenau, in southern Poland, and a certain death.

The Germans began their deportation in the Hungarian country side, but the Jewish citizens of Budapest knew that also their hour of fate was soon to come. In their desperation they sought help from the legations of the neutral countries, which commenced issuing provisional passes for Jews with special connections to their countries.

The Swedish legation in Budapest succeeded in convincing the Germans that the bearers of such provisional passes would be treated as Swedish citizens and be exempt from wearing the yellow Star of David on their chest. Per Anger, a young Swedish diplomat at the legation in Budapest, initiated the issuing of these first provisional passes.

In a short period of time the Swedish legation issued 700 passes, a minuscule number when compared to the high number of Jews being threatened. The legation requested immediate staff reinforcements from the Swedish Foreign Office in Stockholm.

In 1944, the USA established The War Refugee Board (WRB), an organisation with the purpose of saving Jews from Nazi persecution. The WRB soon realised that serious attempts were being made by Sweden to rescue the Jewish population in Hungary. The WRB's representative in Stockholm called upon prominent Swedish Jews to discuss a suitable person to lead an extensive rescue operation in Budapest. Among the participants was Raoul Wallenberg's business partner Koloman Lauer, who served as an expert on Hungary.

The choice was Folke Bernadotte, chairman of the Swedish Red Cross and relative to the Swedish king. However, Bernadotte subsequently having been disapproved by the Hungarian government, Koloman Lauer suggested that Raoul should be asked. Lauer stated that Raoul's experience of Hungary, as well as his personal qualities, being a quick thinker, energetic, brave and compassionate, would make him highly suitable for the mission. Lauer also emphasised the importance of Raoul having a well regarded family name. At first, Raoul was considered too young and inexperienced. However, Lauer persisted.

At the end of June 1944, Raoul was thus appointed first secretary at the Swedish legation in Budapest with the mission to commence a rescue operation for the Jews in Budapest. Raoul was very excited about his task. Before leaving for Budapest, Raoul demanded from the Swedish Foreign Office full authorisation to deal with whom ever he wanted in what ever way he wanted without first having to contact the minister. He also demanded the right to send diplomatic couriers beyond the usual channels. Raoul was determined not to get caught in the protocol and bureaucracy of diplomacy.

The request was so unusual that it was forwarded to Prime Minister Per Albin Hansson, who consulted the king before announcing that Raoul's demands had been approved.

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© 2002 The Raoul Wallenberg Committee.
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