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| title = 1938 changing of place names in East Prussia
| title = 1938 changing of place names in East Prussia
| image = Ostpreussen 1890.jpg
| image = Ostpreussen 1890.jpg
⚫
| caption = A map of East Prussia in 1890 with many of the original place names
| image_size =
| native_name = Umbenennung von Orten in Ostpreußen im Jahr 1938
| image_upright =
| image_alt =
| native_name_lang = German
⚫
| caption = A map of East Prussia in 1890 with the original place names
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| english_name =
| time =
| duration =
| date = {{start date|1938|07|16}}
| date = {{start date|1938|07|16}}
| venue =
| location = [[East Prussia]]
| location = [[East Prussia]]
| coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|region:XXXX_type:event|display=inline,title}} -->
| coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|region:XXXX_type:event|display=inline,title}} -->
| also_known_as =
| type = [[Geographical renaming]]
| type = [[Geographical renaming]]
| theme =
| cause = [[Germanisation]]
| organisers = Prussian Ministry of Science, Education and People's Education (''Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung'')
| cause =
| first_reporter =
| budget =
| patron = <!-- or |patrons= -->
| organisers = <!-- or |organizers= -->
| filmed_by =
| participants =
| outcome =
| outcome =
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
| casualties3 =
| reported deaths =
| reported injuries =
| reported missing =
| reported property damage =
| burial =
| inquiries =
| inquest =
| coroner =
| arrests =
| suspects =
| accused =
| convicted =
| charges =
| trial =
| verdict =
| convictions =
| sentence =
| publication_bans =
| litigation =
| awards =
| url =
| blank_label = <!-- or |blank_data= -->
| blank1_label = <!-- or |blank1_data= -->
| blank2_label = <!-- or |blank2_data= -->
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| notes =
}}
}}


On 16 July 1938, more than 1500 '''place names in [[East Prussia]]''' were changed, following a decree issued by ''[[Gauleiter]]'' and ''[[Oberpräsident]]'' [[Erich Koch]] and initiated by [[Adolf Hitler]].<ref>{{cite book|title="Wolfsschanze": Hitlers Machtzentrale im Zweiten Weltkrieg|first=Uwe|last=Neumärker|edition=3|publisher=Ch. Links Verlag|year=2007|isbn=978-3-86153-433-4|language=German|page=202|display-authors=etal}}</ref> Most of the names affected were of [[Old Prussian]], [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]] and [[Polish language|Polish]] origin; they were either eliminated, [[Germanization|Germanized]], or simplified. Similar [[geographical renaming]] also took place in other parts of [[Nazi Germany]].
On 16 July 1938, more than 1500 '''place names in [[East Prussia]]''' were changed, following a decree issued by ''[[Gauleiter]]'' and ''[[Oberpräsident]]'' [[Erich Koch]] and initiated by [[Adolf Hitler]].<ref>{{cite book|title="Wolfsschanze": Hitlers Machtzentrale im Zweiten Weltkrieg|first=Uwe|last=Neumärker|edition=3|publisher=Ch. Links Verlag|year=2007|isbn=978-3-86153-433-4|language=German|page=202|display-authors=etal}}</ref> Most of the names affected were of [[Old Prussian]], [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]] and [[Polish language|Polish]] origin; they were either eliminated, [[Germanization|Germanized]], or simplified. Similar [[geographical renaming]] also took place in other parts of [[Nazi Germany]].


==History==
==History==

Place names in [[Masuria]] were occasionally changed prior to 1938, and even before the [[Nazi Germany|Nazi era]].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte|volume=51|issue=2|year=2003|title='Grenzlandpolitik' und Ostforschung an der Peripherie des Reiches. Das ostpreußische Masuren 1919-1945|first=Andreas|last=Kossert|pages=117–146, here p. 137|language=German}}</ref> In the district of [[Lötzen]] 47 percent of all villages had already been renamed in the [[Weimar Republic]] and another 36 percent after 1933.<ref name=Kossert/> A systematic renaming campaign was prepared after Koch issued the corresponding order on 25 August 1937.<ref name=Kossert138>{{cite journal|journal=Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte|volume=51|issue=2|year=2003|title='Grenzlandpolitik' und Ostforschung an der Peripherie des Reiches. Das ostpreußische Masuren 1919-1945|first=Andreas|last=Kossert|pages=117–146, here p. 138|language=German}}</ref><ref group=nb>The order was republished by the ''Publikationsstelle Berlin-Dahlem'' (PuSte) and is now in the Federal German Archives ([[Bundesarchiv]] Berlin), [http://startext.net-build.de:8080/barch/MidosaSEARCH/R153-18329/index.htm?search=%22Erfassung%20slawischer%20Ortsnamen%20im%20deutschen%20Reichsgebiet%20und%20Pl%C3%A4ne%20zur%20Umbenennung%20dieser%20Orte%20in%20deutsche%20Namen%22&KontextFb=KontextFb&searchType=any&searchVolumes=all&highlight=true&vid=R153-18329&kid=86264eeb-e2ad-41bc-a18a-181502efb796&uid=R_153_390&searchPos=1 R 153/390] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719065444/http://startext.net-build.de:8080/barch/MidosaSEARCH/R153-18329/index.htm?search=%22Erfassung%20slawischer%20Ortsnamen%20im%20deutschen%20Reichsgebiet%20und%20Pl%C3%A4ne%20zur%20Umbenennung%20dieser%20Orte%20in%20deutsche%20Namen%22&KontextFb=KontextFb&searchType=any&searchVolumes=all&highlight=true&vid=R153-18329&kid=86264eeb-e2ad-41bc-a18a-181502efb796&uid=R_153_390&searchPos=1 |date=2011-07-19 }}: "Erfassung slawischer Ortsnamen im deutschen Reichsgebiet und Pläne zur Umbenennung dieser Orte in deutsche Namen", includes: Oberpräsident Ostpreußen, Königsberg, 25. 8. 1937, betr.: Verdeutschung fremdsprachiger Namen in Ostpreußen, Bezug: Erlaß des Reichs- und Preußischen Minister des Innern vom 6. 7. 1937; cf. Kossert (2003), p. 138.</ref> Following this order, the Prussian Ministry of Science, Education and People's Education (''Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung'') set up an expert commission led by the ministerial adviser (''Ministerialrat'') {{ill|Heinrich Harmjanz|de|Heinrich Harmjanz}}.<ref name=Kossert138/> Other members of the commission included Slavicist {{ill|Karl Heinrich Meyer|de|Karl Heinrich Meyer (Slawist)}}, Germanist {{ill|Walther Ziesemer|de|Walther Ziesemer}}, Lithuanian and Old Prussian place name specialist {{ill|Viktor Falkenhahn|de|Viktor Falkenhahn}} and the director of the [[Prussian State Archive Königsberg]] and [[Teutonic Order state]] place name specialist {{ill|Max Hein|de|Max Hein}}.<ref name=Kossert138/> Affected were names of villages, water bodies, forests and cadastral districts.<ref name=Kossert138/> In some counties up to 70% of the place names had been changed by 16 July 1938.<ref name=Kossert138/>
Place names in [[Masuria]] were occasionally changed prior to 1938, and even before the [[Nazi Germany|Nazi era]].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte|volume=51|issue=2|year=2003|title='Grenzlandpolitik' und Ostforschung an der Peripherie des Reiches. Das ostpreußische Masuren 1919-1945|first=Andreas|last=Kossert|pages=117–146, here p. 137|language=German}}</ref> In the district of [[Lötzen]] 47 percent of all villages had already been renamed in the [[Weimar Republic]] and another 36 percent after 1933.<ref name=Kossert/> A systematic renaming campaign was prepared after Koch issued the corresponding order on 25 August 1937.<ref name=Kossert138>{{cite journal|journal=Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte|volume=51|issue=2|year=2003|title='Grenzlandpolitik' und Ostforschung an der Peripherie des Reiches. Das ostpreußische Masuren 1919-1945|first=Andreas|last=Kossert|pages=117–146, here p. 138|language=German}}</ref><ref group=nb>The order was republished by the ''Publikationsstelle Berlin-Dahlem'' (PuSte) and is now in the Federal German Archives ([[Bundesarchiv]] Berlin), [http://startext.net-build.de:8080/barch/MidosaSEARCH/R153-18329/index.htm?search=%22Erfassung%20slawischer%20Ortsnamen%20im%20deutschen%20Reichsgebiet%20und%20Pl%C3%A4ne%20zur%20Umbenennung%20dieser%20Orte%20in%20deutsche%20Namen%22&KontextFb=KontextFb&searchType=any&searchVolumes=all&highlight=true&vid=R153-18329&kid=86264eeb-e2ad-41bc-a18a-181502efb796&uid=R_153_390&searchPos=1 R 153/390] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719065444/http://startext.net-build.de:8080/barch/MidosaSEARCH/R153-18329/index.htm?search=%22Erfassung%20slawischer%20Ortsnamen%20im%20deutschen%20Reichsgebiet%20und%20Pl%C3%A4ne%20zur%20Umbenennung%20dieser%20Orte%20in%20deutsche%20Namen%22&KontextFb=KontextFb&searchType=any&searchVolumes=all&highlight=true&vid=R153-18329&kid=86264eeb-e2ad-41bc-a18a-181502efb796&uid=R_153_390&searchPos=1 |date=2011-07-19 }}: "Erfassung slawischer Ortsnamen im deutschen Reichsgebiet und Pläne zur Umbenennung dieser Orte in deutsche Namen", includes: Oberpräsident Ostpreußen, Königsberg, 25. 8. 1937, betr.: Verdeutschung fremdsprachiger Namen in Ostpreußen, Bezug: Erlaß des Reichs- und Preußischen Minister des Innern vom 6. 7. 1937; cf. Kossert (2003), p. 138.</ref> Following this order, the Prussian Ministry of Science, Education and People's Education (''Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung'') set up an expert commission led by the ministerial adviser (''Ministerialrat'') {{ill|Heinrich Harmjanz|de|Heinrich Harmjanz}}.<ref name=Kossert138/> Other members of the commission included Slavicist {{ill|Karl Heinrich Meyer|de|Karl Heinrich Meyer (Slawist)}}, Germanist {{ill|Walther Ziesemer|de|Walther Ziesemer}}, Lithuanian and Old Prussian place name specialist {{ill|Viktor Falkenhahn|de|Viktor Falkenhahn}} and the director of the [[Prussian State Archive Königsberg]] and [[Teutonic Order state]] place name specialist {{ill|Max Hein|de|Max Hein}}.<ref name=Kossert138/> Affected were names of villages, water bodies, forests and cadastral districts.<ref name=Kossert138/> In some counties up to 70% of the place names had been changed by 16 July 1938.<ref name=Kossert138/>


After [[World War II]] the local populace [[Evacuation of East Prussia|fled]] or [[Flight and expulsion of Germans from Poland during and after World War II|was expelled]]. The modern Polish place names were determined by the [[Commission for the Determination of Place Names]], while the names invented in 1938 still remain in official use in [[Germany]].<ref name=Kossert>{{cite book |title=Masuren{{Snd}} Ostpreussens vergessener Süden|last=Kossert |first=Andreas |author-link=:de:Andreas Kossert |language=German |page=323 |isbn=978-3-570-55006-9 |quote="Diese Regelung übernahm dann die 1949 gegründete Bundesrepublik Deutschland, deren Lastenausgleichsämter, Aussiedler- und Flüchtlingslager, Rentenbehörden und Meldeämter weiterhin die germanisierten NS-Formen gebrauchten."}}</ref>
After [[World War II]] the local German populace [[Evacuation of East Prussia|fled]] or [[Flight and expulsion of Germans from Poland during and after World War II|was expelled]]. In the part of East Prussia that was given to [[Poland]] and became the [[Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship]] the modern Polish place names were determined by the [[Commission for the Determination of Place Names]], which generally restored the pre-1938 place names, in the case of German-origin place names without a Polish alternative simply translating them from German into Polish. In the northern part of East Prussia that was given to the [[Soviet Union]] and became [[Kaliningrad Oblast]], no historical Russian place names could be found and the Soviet government was unwilling to restore the old Lithuanian or old Polish place names, therefore entirely new names were invented. In the case of major oblast towns, half of them were named after Russian and Soviet military leaders.<ref>{{cite book |title=No Neighbors' Lands in Postwar Europe: Vanishing Others |chapter=The Prussian Spirit of the Land |last1=Wylegała |first1=Anna |last2=Łukianow |first2=Małgorzata |last3=Rutar |first3=Sabine |publisher=[[Springer International Publishing]] |pages=45–46 |isbn=978-3-031-10857-0}}</ref> The place names invented in 1938 by the [[government of Nazi Germany]] still remain in official use in [[Germany]].<ref name=Kossert>{{cite book |title=Masuren{{Snd}} Ostpreussens vergessener Süden|last=Kossert |first=Andreas |author-link=:de:Andreas Kossert |language=German |page=323 |isbn=978-3-570-55006-9 |quote="Diese Regelung übernahm dann die 1949 gegründete Bundesrepublik Deutschland, deren Lastenausgleichsämter, Aussiedler- und Flüchtlingslager, Rentenbehörden und Meldeämter weiterhin die germanisierten NS-Formen gebrauchten."}}</ref>


==Examples of changed place names==
==Examples of changed place names==
Line 71: Line 27:
!Pre-1938 place name
!Pre-1938 place name
!New place name
!New place name
!Polish place name
!Polish spelling
!Lithuanian place name
!Lithuanian spelling
!Notes
!Notes
|-
|-
Line 91: Line 47:
|Babki Oleckie
|Babki Oleckie
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
⚫
|Modern-day [[Babki Oleckie]], [[Poland]].
⚫
|
|-
|-
|Bittkowen
|Bittkowen
Line 97: Line 53:
|Bitkowo
|Bitkowo
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Modern-day [[Bitkowo, Gołdap County]], [[Poland]]
|Modern-day [[Bitkowo, Gołdap County]], [[Poland]].
|-
|-
|Budweitschen
|Budweitschen
|Altenwacht
|Altenwacht
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Budvaičiai
|Būdviečiai
|
|
|-
|-
Line 109: Line 65:
|Darkiejmy
|Darkiejmy
|Darkiemis
|Darkiemis
|Modern-day [[Ozyorsk, Kaliningrad Oblast]], [[Russia]]
|Modern-day [[Ozyorsk, Kaliningrad Oblast]], [[Russia]].
|-
|-
|Dombrowsken
|Dombrowsken
Line 115: Line 71:
|Dąbrowskie
|Dąbrowskie
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Modern-day [[Dąbrowskie, Olecko County]], [[Russia]].
|
|-
|-
|Dobawen
|Dobawen
Line 125: Line 81:
|Dubeninken
|Dubeninken
|Dubeningen
|Dubeningen
|Dubeninki
|Babki Oleckie
|Dubeninkai
⚫
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Modern-day [[Dubeninki]], [[Russia]].
|
|-
|-
|Drosdowen
|Drosdowen
Line 144: Line 100:
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Eliušėnai
|Eliušėnai
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Sadovoye, Chistye Prudy rural settlement|ru|Садовое (Чистопрудненский сельсовет)}}, [[Russia]]
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Sadovoye, Chistye Prudy rural settlement|ru|Садовое (Чистопрудненский сельсовет)}}, [[Russia]].
|-
|-
|Germingkehmen
|Germingkehmen
Line 156: Line 112:
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Gerčiai
|Gerčiai
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Yarovoye, Kaliningrad Oblast|ru|Яровое (Калининградская область)}}, [[Russia]].
|
|-
|-
|Gollubien
|Gollubien
Line 162: Line 118:
|Golubie
|Golubie
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Modern-day [[Golubie, Gołdap County]], [[Poland]].
|
|-
|-
|Grabowen
|Grabowen
Line 168: Line 124:
|Grabowo
|Grabowo
|Grabava
|Grabava
|Modern-day [[Grabowo, Gołdap County]], [[Poland]]
|Modern-day [[Grabowo, Gołdap County]], [[Poland]].
|-
|-
|Gr. Grigalischken
|Gr. Grigalischken
|Ellerbach
|Ellerbach
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Grigališkiai
|Grigališkia
|
|
|-
|-
Line 180: Line 136:
|Rominty Wielkie
|Rominty Wielkie
|Rominta
|Rominta
|Modern-day [[Krasnolesye]], [[Russia]]
|Modern-day [[Krasnolesye]], [[Russia]].
|-
|-
|Gr. Schwentischken
|Gr. Schwentischken
Line 246: Line 202:
|Makuniszki
|Makuniszki
|Makunischken
|Makunischken
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Tokarevka, Kaliningrad Oblast|ru|Токаревка (Калининградская область)}}, [[Russia]]
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Tokarevka, Kaliningrad Oblast|ru|Токаревка (Калининградская область)}}, [[Russia]].
|-
|-
|Mehlkehmen
|Mehlkehmen
Line 252: Line 208:
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Mielkiemis
|Mielkiemis
|Modern-day [[Kalinino, Kaliningrad Oblast]], [[Russia]]
|Modern-day [[Kalinino, Kaliningrad Oblast]], [[Russia]].
|-
|-
|Meldienen
|Meldienen
Line 270: Line 226:
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Naujininkai
|Naujininkai
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Khutorskoye, Kaliningrad Oblast|lt|Naujininkai (Pilkalnio apskritis)}}, [[Russia]].
|
|-
|-
|Neuteich
|Neuteich
Line 282: Line 238:
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Ožininkai
|Ožininkai
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Karpinskoye|ru|Карпинское}}, [[Russia]]
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Karpinskoye|ru|Карпинское}}, [[Russia]].
|-
|-
|Pablindszen
|Pablindszen
|Zollteich
|Zollteich
|Pobłędzie
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Pablindžiai
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Modern-day [[Pobłędzie]], [[Poland]].
|
|-
|-
|Perkallen
|Perkallen
Line 300: Line 256:
|Pluszkiejmi
|Pluszkiejmi
|Pliuškiemis
|Pliuškiemis
|Modern-day [[Pluszkiejmy]], [[Poland]]
|Modern-day [[Pluszkiejmy]], [[Poland]].
|-
|-
|Pöwgallen
|Pöwgallen
|Pöwen
|Pöwen
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Pievgaliai
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|
|
|-
|-
|Pillupönen
|Pillupönen
|Schloßbach
|Schloßbach
⚫
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Pluszkiejmi
|Pilupėnai
|Pliuškiemis
⚫
|
⚫
|Modern-day [[Pluszkiejmy]], [[Poland]]
|-
|-
|Ribbenischken
|Ribbenischken
Line 318: Line 274:
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Ribiniškiai
|Ribiniškiai
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Uvarovo, Kaliningrad Oblast|ru|Уварово (Калининградская область)}}, [[Russia]]
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Uvarovo, Kaliningrad Oblast|ru|Уварово (Калининградская область)}}, [[Russia]].
|-
|Rogowsziszna
|Konradsfelde
|Rogowszczyzna
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|
|-
|-
|Samelucken
|Samelucken
Line 342: Line 292:
|Zajdy
|Zajdy
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Modern-day [[Zajdy]], [[Poland]]
|Modern-day [[Zajdy]], [[Poland]].
|-
|-
|Schmulken
|Schmulken
Line 360: Line 310:
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Stalupėnai
|Stalupėnai
|Modern-day [[Nesterov]], [[Russia]]
|Modern-day [[Nesterov]], [[Russia]].
|-
|-
|Stooßnen
|Stooßnen
Line 372: Line 322:
|Sulejki
|Sulejki
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Modern-day [[Sulejki]], [[Poland]].
|
|-
|-
|Szittkehmen
|Szittkehmen
Line 378: Line 328:
|Żytkiejmy
|Żytkiejmy
|Žydkiemis
|Žydkiemis
|Literally "Jewish village"
|Modern-day [[Żytkiejmy]], [[Poland]]. The name literally means "Jewish village".
|-
|-
|Szurgupchen
|Szurgupchen
Line 396: Line 346:
|Tolmingiany
|Tolmingiany
|Tolminkiemis
|Tolminkiemis
|Modern-day [[Chistye Prudy, Kaliningrad Oblast]], [[Russia]]
|Modern-day [[Chistye Prudy, Kaliningrad Oblast]], [[Russia]].
|-
|-
|Walterkehmen
|Walterkehmen
Line 402: Line 352:
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
|Valtarkiemis
|Valtarkiemis
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Olchovatka, Kaliningrad Oblast|ru|Ольховатка (Калининградская область)}}, [[Russia]]
|Modern-day {{Interlanguage link|Olchovatka, Kaliningrad Oblast|ru|Ольховатка (Калининградская область)}}, [[Russia]].
|-
|-
|Wilkoschen
|Wilkoschen
Line 415: Line 365:


During World War II, renaming occurred primarily in occupied/annexed territories, because the Nazi government felt that "foreign language names for places constitute a national threat and may lead to mistaken world opinion in regard to their nationality". Areas affected included [[Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany]], e.g. [[Upper Silesia]] and the area near [[Poznań]].<ref name=is>Monika Choros, Lucja Jarczak, "Relacje polsko niemieckie w nazwach miejscowych" (Polish-German relations in local placenames), [www.instytutslaski.com/www/pliki/relacje.ppt Instytut Slaski]</ref> and [[Alsace]], as well as [[Czechoslovakia]].
During World War II, renaming occurred primarily in occupied/annexed territories, because the Nazi government felt that "foreign language names for places constitute a national threat and may lead to mistaken world opinion in regard to their nationality". Areas affected included [[Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany]], e.g. [[Upper Silesia]] and the area near [[Poznań]].<ref name=is>Monika Choros, Lucja Jarczak, "Relacje polsko niemieckie w nazwach miejscowych" (Polish-German relations in local placenames), [www.instytutslaski.com/www/pliki/relacje.ppt Instytut Slaski]</ref> and [[Alsace]], as well as [[Czechoslovakia]].

==See also==
*[[German exonyms (Kaliningrad Oblast)]]
*[[List of cities and towns in East Prussia]]


==Notes==
==Notes==

Revision as of 18:05, 29 August 2024

1938 changing of place names in East Prussia
A map of East Prussia in 1890 with many of the original place names
Native name Umbenennung von Orten in Ostpreußen im Jahr 1938
DateJuly 16, 1938 (1938-07-16)
LocationEast Prussia
TypeGeographical renaming
CauseGermanisation
Organised byPrussian Ministry of Science, Education and People's Education (Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung)

On 16 July 1938, more than 1500 place names in East Prussia were changed, following a decree issued by Gauleiter and Oberpräsident Erich Koch and initiated by Adolf Hitler.[1] Most of the names affected were of Old Prussian, Lithuanian and Polish origin; they were either eliminated, Germanized, or simplified. Similar geographical renaming also took place in other parts of Nazi Germany.

History

Place names in Masuria were occasionally changed prior to 1938, and even before the Nazi era.[2] In the district of Lötzen 47 percent of all villages had already been renamed in the Weimar Republic and another 36 percent after 1933.[3] A systematic renaming campaign was prepared after Koch issued the corresponding order on 25 August 1937.[4][nb 1] Following this order, the Prussian Ministry of Science, Education and People's Education (Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung) set up an expert commission led by the ministerial adviser (Ministerialrat) Heinrich Harmjanz [de].[4] Other members of the commission included Slavicist Karl Heinrich Meyer [de], Germanist Walther Ziesemer [de], Lithuanian and Old Prussian place name specialist Viktor Falkenhahn [de] and the director of the Prussian State Archive Königsberg and Teutonic Order state place name specialist Max Hein [de].[4] Affected were names of villages, water bodies, forests and cadastral districts.[4] In some counties up to 70% of the place names had been changed by 16 July 1938.[4]

After World War II the local German populace fled or was expelled. In the part of East Prussia that was given to Poland and became the Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship the modern Polish place names were determined by the Commission for the Determination of Place Names, which generally restored the pre-1938 place names, in the case of German-origin place names without a Polish alternative simply translating them from German into Polish. In the northern part of East Prussia that was given to the Soviet Union and became Kaliningrad Oblast, no historical Russian place names could be found and the Soviet government was unwilling to restore the old Lithuanian or old Polish place names, therefore entirely new names were invented. In the case of major oblast towns, half of them were named after Russian and Soviet military leaders.[5] The place names invented in 1938 by the government of Nazi Germany still remain in official use in Germany.[3]

Examples of changed place names

Pre-1938 place name New place name Polish spelling Lithuanian spelling Notes
Abscherningken Ebershagen - Opšrininkai
Aschlauken Kalkhöfen - -
Babken Lagenquell Babki Oleckie - Modern-day Babki Oleckie, Poland.
Bittkowen Bittkau Bitkowo - Modern-day Bitkowo, Gołdap County, Poland.
Budweitschen Altenwacht - Budvaičiai
Darkehmen Angerapp Darkiejmy Darkiemis Modern-day Ozyorsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia.
Dombrowsken Königsruh Dąbrowskie - Modern-day Dąbrowskie, Olecko County, Russia.
Dobawen Dobauen - -
Dubeninken Dubeningen Dubeninki Dubeninkai Modern-day Dubeninki, Russia.
Drosdowen Drosten Drozdowo -
Duttken Sargensee Dudki -
Elluschönen Ellern - Eliušėnai Modern-day Sadovoye, Chistye Prudy rural settlement [ru], Russia.
Germingkehmen Germingen - Germinkiemis
Gertschen Gertenau - Gerčiai Modern-day Yarovoye, Kaliningrad Oblast [ru], Russia.
Gollubien Unterfelde Golubie - Modern-day Golubie, Gołdap County, Poland.
Grabowen Arnswald Grabowo Grabava Modern-day Grabowo, Gołdap County, Poland.
Gr. Grigalischken Ellerbach - Grigališkiai
Gr. Rominten Hardteck Rominty Wielkie Rominta Modern-day Krasnolesye, Russia.
Gr. Schwentischken Schanzenort - Šventiškiai
Gr. Schakummen Eichkamp - -
Kl. Grigalischken Kleinkalkhöfen - -
Kl. Lassek Liebchensruh Lasek Mały -
Kl. Schwentischken Kleinschanzenort - -
Kowahlen Reimannswalde Kowale Oleckie -
Krajutkehmen Dürrfelde - Krajutkiemis
Kuiken Albrechtsrode Kwik Kuikiai
Kukowen Reinkental Kukowo -
Kulligkehmen Ohldorf - Kulikiemis
Makunischken Hohenwaldeck Makuniszki Makunischken Modern-day Tokarevka, Kaliningrad Oblast [ru], Russia.
Mehlkehmen Birkenmühle - Mielkiemis Modern-day Kalinino, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia.
Meldienen Gnadenheim - Meldynai
Mierunsken Merunen Mieruniszki -
Naujeningken Neuhufen - Naujininkai Modern-day Khutorskoye, Kaliningrad Oblast [lt], Russia.
Neuteich Damerau - Naičiai
Oszeningken Pfalzrode - Ožininkai Modern-day Karpinskoye [ru], Russia.
Pablindszen Zollteich Pobłędzie Pablindžiai Modern-day Pobłędzie, Poland.
Perkallen Husarenberg - Perkaliai
Plautzkehmen Engern Pluszkiejmi Pliuškiemis Modern-day Pluszkiejmy, Poland.
Pöwgallen Pöwen - Pievgaliai
Pillupönen Schloßbach - Pilupėnai
Ribbenischken Ribbenau - Ribiniškiai Modern-day Uvarovo, Kaliningrad Oblast [ru], Russia.
Samelucken Sameln, Brückental - -
Samonienen Gut Reiterhof - Samanynai
Sayden Saiden Zajdy - Modern-day Zajdy, Poland.
Schmulken Birkenhöhe - -
Schönbruch Damerau - -
Stallupönen Ebenrode - Stalupėnai Modern-day Nesterov, Russia.
Stooßnen Stosnau Stożne -
Suleyken Suleiken Sulejki - Modern-day Sulejki, Poland.
Szittkehmen Judendorf Żytkiejmy Žydkiemis Modern-day Żytkiejmy, Poland. The name literally means "Jewish village".
Szurgupchen Sprindort - Žirgučiai
Tellitzkehmen Tellrode - Telyčkiemis
Tollmingkehmen Tollmingen Tolmingiany Tolminkiemis Modern-day Chistye Prudy, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia.
Walterkehmen Großwaltersdorf - Valtarkiemis Modern-day Olchovatka, Kaliningrad Oblast [ru], Russia.
Wilkoschen Wolfseck - Vilkošiai

In other regions

A similar replacement of place names was carried out in other regions of Nazi Germany, especially in Silesia. There, 1088 place names in the Oppeln region were changed in 1936, also 359 in the Breslau (Wroclaw) area and 178 in the Liegnitz (Legnica) area between 1937 and 1938.[6] In the portion of Upper Silesia which after World War I had become part of the Second Polish Republic, most places had two locally used names, a German one and a Polish one, and after 1922, Polish authorities made the Polish variants the official names.[6]

During World War II, renaming occurred primarily in occupied/annexed territories, because the Nazi government felt that "foreign language names for places constitute a national threat and may lead to mistaken world opinion in regard to their nationality". Areas affected included Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany, e.g. Upper Silesia and the area near Poznań.[6] and Alsace, as well as Czechoslovakia.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The order was republished by the Publikationsstelle Berlin-Dahlem (PuSte) and is now in the Federal German Archives (Bundesarchiv Berlin), R 153/390 Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine: "Erfassung slawischer Ortsnamen im deutschen Reichsgebiet und Pläne zur Umbenennung dieser Orte in deutsche Namen", includes: Oberpräsident Ostpreußen, Königsberg, 25. 8. 1937, betr.: Verdeutschung fremdsprachiger Namen in Ostpreußen, Bezug: Erlaß des Reichs- und Preußischen Minister des Innern vom 6. 7. 1937; cf. Kossert (2003), p. 138.

References

  1. ^ Neumärker, Uwe; et al. (2007). "Wolfsschanze": Hitlers Machtzentrale im Zweiten Weltkrieg (in German) (3 ed.). Ch. Links Verlag. p. 202. ISBN 978-3-86153-433-4.
  2. ^ Kossert, Andreas (2003). "'Grenzlandpolitik' und Ostforschung an der Peripherie des Reiches. Das ostpreußische Masuren 1919-1945". Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte (in German). 51 (2): 117–146, here p. 137.
  3. ^ a b Kossert, Andreas [in German]. Masuren – Ostpreussens vergessener Süden (in German). p. 323. ISBN 978-3-570-55006-9. Diese Regelung übernahm dann die 1949 gegründete Bundesrepublik Deutschland, deren Lastenausgleichsämter, Aussiedler- und Flüchtlingslager, Rentenbehörden und Meldeämter weiterhin die germanisierten NS-Formen gebrauchten.
  4. ^ a b c d e Kossert, Andreas (2003). "'Grenzlandpolitik' und Ostforschung an der Peripherie des Reiches. Das ostpreußische Masuren 1919-1945". Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte (in German). 51 (2): 117–146, here p. 138.
  5. ^ Wylegała, Anna; Łukianow, Małgorzata; Rutar, Sabine. "The Prussian Spirit of the Land". No Neighbors' Lands in Postwar Europe: Vanishing Others. Springer International Publishing. pp. 45–46. ISBN 978-3-031-10857-0.
  6. ^ a b c Monika Choros, Lucja Jarczak, "Relacje polsko niemieckie w nazwach miejscowych" (Polish-German relations in local placenames), [www.instytutslaski.com/www/pliki/relacje.ppt Instytut Slaski]
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