Back to the Reich - Attempted annexation of Luxembourg under Adolf Hitler

The invasion of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg by the German army in 1940 marked the beginning of a long ordeal for the Luxembourgish people. For more than four years, the country was occupied by the Nazis, who sought to destroy Luxembourgish independence and integrate the Grand Duchy into the German Reich. The Luxembourgers were to be forcibly Germanized. An entire people was subjected to merciless oppression. Those who defended themselves in the name of their freedom risked their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Yet, the resistance of the Luxembourgers grew stronger throughout the occupation, forcing the Germans to resort to ever more radical measures. The history of the Grand Duchy under Nazi occupation continues to leave deep scars on Luxembourgish society to this day. Not all Luxembourgers were against the Nazis. Some collaborated with the occupiers and betrayed their compatriots. On the other side, a handful of men and women made a choice that commands respect and was far from easy: to engage in acts of resistance in order to stimulate the spirit of opposition among the Luxembourgish people. Most Luxembourgers ultimately rejected annexation by Nazi Germany. The attempt to integrate Luxembourg into the Third Reich thus had the opposite effect. More than any other period, the German occupation of Luxembourg was crucial in making Luxembourgers aware of their own national identity. Through numerous testimonies and archival documents, Heim ins Reich (Home in the Reich) brings these dark years back to life, years during which swastikas adorned the streets of the Grand Duchy. The witnesses are Luxembourgers personally and directly involved in the events they recount. Director: Claude Lahr Watch more related documentaries in our playlist    • Documentaries about Hitler