Escape from Germany

In 1939, as Adolf Hitler’s army expanded its control over Europe and borders began to close, a group of 85 American missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) found themselves trapped in Nazi Germany. These missionaries had been sent to serve the church by spreading their faith and helping local congregations, but as the political landscape grew increasingly hostile, their mission turned into a desperate struggle for survival.

The missionaries were stationed throughout Germany, with many of them living in cities where the Nazi regime’s grip was tightening. The once peaceful streets became militarized as Nazi propaganda filled the air, and the threat of war loomed closer each day. Travel restrictions were put in place, and the missionaries’ ability to communicate with their church leaders and families back in the United States became severely limited. The outbreak of war seemed inevitable, and the missionaries were instructed to prepare for evacuation.

As the missionaries waited for further instructions, tension mounted. Their mission president, M. Douglas Wood, worked tirelessly to secure their safe passage out of the country. He faced overwhelming obstacles, as Nazi authorities became increasingly suspicious of foreign visitors. The missionaries themselves were also placed under scrutiny, as they tried to continue their work in a country that was becoming more hostile to outsiders, especially Americans.

In late August 1939, just days before the Nazi invasion of Poland and the official start of World War II, the church issued an urgent recall for all missionaries in Europe. The missionaries in Germany were instructed to leave immediately, but this was easier said than done. With borders closing and transportation routes being cut off, the escape became a race against time. The missionaries had to navigate a complex web of bureaucratic red tape and rapidly changing conditions, all while trying to avoid suspicion from Nazi officials.

Their journey out of Germany was fraught with danger. Many of the missionaries had to travel by train, bus, and even on foot, often without clear information about their next steps. Some faced intense questioning at border crossings, and their American passports—once a symbol of safety—became liabilities in a continent teetering on the brink of war.

Despite the obstacles, the missionaries were able to reach neutral countries like Denmark and Switzerland, where they were temporarily safe. From there, they made their way to the United States or other parts of Europe, depending on their circumstances. The church organized a series of complex logistics to ensure that each missionary made it home safely, a task made even more difficult as the situation in Europe continued to deteriorate.

By early September, all 85 missionaries had successfully escaped Nazi Germany, just as war was officially declared. The escape of the LDS missionaries from Nazi Germany remains one of the most dramatic events in modern LDS history. Their story of faith, courage, and survival in the face of one of history’s darkest regimes is a testament to their resilience and the efforts of those who helped them escape a dangerous and uncertain fate.