Early Life and Studies
Raoul Wallenberg was born on August 4, 1912 into a respected family and was therefore overwhelmed with opportunities from an early age. His family expected him to uphold their banking business, but the young Wallenberg was more interested in architecture and trade. After finishing his studies at the University of Michigan, USA, he worked in several different countries and cities, one of them being Haifa in Palestine. It was there that Wallenberg had his first encounter with the Nazi regime's terror, as he met several Jews who had escaped Nazi oppression. (Karesh and Hurvitz)
Work in Hungary
After leaving Haifa for Sweden in 1936, Wallenberg was appointed director of a Hungarian food trade company under management of a Hungarian Jew named Koloman Lauer. He began traveling through Europe, witnessing as the Nazi persecution of Jews intensified. Soon enough, Wallenberg became stationed in Hungary. (Karesh and Hurvitz)
Disturbed by the Nazis' crimes, Wallenberg began wondering how he could part-take in protecting those facing persecution. Using his status as a diplomat and his artistic skills, he began manufacturing fake Swedish protective passports. He issued these to thousands of Hungarian Jews. Despite being unauthentic, these documents looked astonishingly real, and thus, these Jews managed to escape German officials. (Karesh and Hurvitz)
After some time, Wallenberg realized that the passports weren't enough - he had to take his plan further. Wallenberg's next move was to establish an "international ghetto" of Jewish refugees. By purchasing several houses in Budapest, Wallenberg designated a Swedish area. These houses were garnished with over-sized Swedish flags to create the illusion that they were being used by the Swedish government. (Canadian Heritage) In fact, these buildings were housing thousands of Jews. Inside, Wallenberg installed hospitals, schools and kitchens. (Oestreicher Bernheim)
As the war progressed, Wallenberg's mission became harder and harder. The Nazis had taken full control of Hungary, and it became increasingly dangerous for the Swedish diplomat. He began handing out protective passes, desperately trying to save Jews who were facing execution. He would go as far as pulling those Jews who were in possession of one of these passes out of the Nazis' death marches. (Karesh and Hurvitz)
When the Nazis were forced out of Hungary by the Soviet Union, approximately 120, 000 Jews were still alive. Most of these had survived due to the actions of Raoul Wallenberg. (Karesh and Hurvitz)
Disturbed by the Nazis' crimes, Wallenberg began wondering how he could part-take in protecting those facing persecution. Using his status as a diplomat and his artistic skills, he began manufacturing fake Swedish protective passports. He issued these to thousands of Hungarian Jews. Despite being unauthentic, these documents looked astonishingly real, and thus, these Jews managed to escape German officials. (Karesh and Hurvitz)
After some time, Wallenberg realized that the passports weren't enough - he had to take his plan further. Wallenberg's next move was to establish an "international ghetto" of Jewish refugees. By purchasing several houses in Budapest, Wallenberg designated a Swedish area. These houses were garnished with over-sized Swedish flags to create the illusion that they were being used by the Swedish government. (Canadian Heritage) In fact, these buildings were housing thousands of Jews. Inside, Wallenberg installed hospitals, schools and kitchens. (Oestreicher Bernheim)
As the war progressed, Wallenberg's mission became harder and harder. The Nazis had taken full control of Hungary, and it became increasingly dangerous for the Swedish diplomat. He began handing out protective passes, desperately trying to save Jews who were facing execution. He would go as far as pulling those Jews who were in possession of one of these passes out of the Nazis' death marches. (Karesh and Hurvitz)
When the Nazis were forced out of Hungary by the Soviet Union, approximately 120, 000 Jews were still alive. Most of these had survived due to the actions of Raoul Wallenberg. (Karesh and Hurvitz)
The Protective Passports
Using fake passports like this one depicted here, thousands of Jews managed to avoid being captured by German soldiers. Note how Wallenberg made a slight mistake; the three crowns representing Sweden are in the wrong order. There is supposed to be two on top, one on the bottom. (Carlberg)
Arrest and Disappearance
When the Soviets had gained control of Budapest, Wallenberg was mistaken for a Western spy. He was detained and was held in a Soviet prison for 2 years. It is commonly held that he died in 1947, however the exact date of his death is unknown, and there have been speculations of him being alive well into the 1950s. (Karesh and Hurvitz)
Swedish diplomats tried hard to find Wallenberg's location, but perhaps not hard enough. Staffan Soderblom, Swedish Ambassador, had a meeting with Soviet Chief of State Josef Stalin about the whereabouts of the estranged Wallenberg, but no progress was made. Until this day we do not know when and where this hero spent his final days. (Oestreicher Bernheim)
Swedish diplomats tried hard to find Wallenberg's location, but perhaps not hard enough. Staffan Soderblom, Swedish Ambassador, had a meeting with Soviet Chief of State Josef Stalin about the whereabouts of the estranged Wallenberg, but no progress was made. Until this day we do not know when and where this hero spent his final days. (Oestreicher Bernheim)