The Holocaust in Antwerp (1940–1945)
Between 1940 and 1945, the Jewish community of Antwerp was systematically persecuted, deported, and largely destroyed. Thousands of Jewish men, women, and children from this city were sent to their deaths. This section documents their history, their names, and the dismantling of one of Europe’s largest pre-war Jewish communities.
Antwerp in 1940
Timeline
Rise of Nazism
Hitler comes to power in Germany.
German Occupation
Germany invades Belgium. The military administration begins.
First Anti-Jewish Examples
Registration of Jews and Jewish businesses becomes mandatory.
Pogrom in Antwerp
Violent anti-Jewish riots in the diamond district, supported by local collaborators.
The Yellow Star
Jews are forced to wear the Yellow Star of David in public.
Major Roundups (Razzias)
Mass arrests in Antwerp. Thousands are sent to Dossin Kazerne.
Liberation
Allied forces liberate Antwerp. The community is devastated.
Names Database
A growing archive of victims and survivors connected to Antwerp.
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Memorials & Monuments
Sites of remembrance in Antwerp and beyond.
View Memorials →
Righteous Among the Nations
Non-Jews who risked their lives to protect Jewish families during the occupation.
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