OST: Nazi Germany's Forced Labour Camps

The Nazi forced labor camps were the site of a remarkable collection of moving and enlightening documents and testimonies. The Ostarbeiter, or 'Eastern Workers', were individuals rounded up by Nazi Germany from the territories they had captured in Central and Eastern Europe. It is estimated that by the end of the war, between 3 million to 5.5 million Ostarbeiter were compelled to work in closely guarded labor camps, with many of them being younger than 16 years old - an age at which they would have been conscripted for military service.

The Ostarbeiter toiled for 12 hours a day on meager rations, and as ethnic Slavs, they were subjected to exceptionally brutal treatment by the Nazi guards, who viewed them as 'sub-human' according to the ideals of the Aryan master race. They were distinguished by the label 'OST' sewn onto their uniforms.

OST is a compilation of over two hundred personal accounts, hundreds of hours of interviews, and over 350,000 letters. This significant publication seeks to ensure that the voices of the oppressed and displaced Ostarbeiter will not be forgotten.

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