Freemasonry in German Concentration Camps
Part I: Persecution of Freemasons During World War II
When we think of Nazi persecution, we typically remember the Jewish people, political dissidents, and others who did not fit into Hitler’s vision of the Aryan race. Yet, Freemasons were also targeted, as the Nazis regarded them with deep suspicion. The Nazi regime claimed that Freemasonry was part of a global conspiracy, often linking it with Jewish people and accusing Masons of working against the state. Hitler’s propaganda portrayed Freemasonry as a threat to the totalitarian control he was constructing.
Freemasonry Under Attack
As early as the 1920s, anti-Masonic rhetoric had become part of Nazi ideology. By 1933, when Hitler rose to power, Masonic lodges were swiftly banned throughout Germany. The regime seized Masonic property, destroyed lodge buildings, and either imprisoned or executed Masons. Many members of the Craft were forced underground, and possessing Masonic symbols or wearing the square and compass could lead to a death sentence.
It is estimated that between 80,000 and 200,000 Freemasons were killed during the Holocaust. Like Jewish people and other targeted groups, Freemasons were forced into concentration camps. There, they faced brutal conditions, including starvation, forced labor, torture, and often, execution. Freemasons in the camps were identified by an inverted red triangle, a symbol that also marked political prisoners.
Resilience in the Camps
Inside the concentration camps, Freemasonry’s presence didn’t entirely vanish. Despite unimaginable suffering, some Masons managed to meet secretly. In these dark places, the principles of brotherhood, morality, and relief held even greater significance. Masons sometimes identified one another through subtle grips or signs, risking their lives to offer brotherly support—whether through sharing food, providing comfort, or simply being a presence in the face of despair.
The idea that these men held onto their Masonic values—even when everything was stripped from them—demonstrates the strength of the Craft. Freemasonry was not merely a pastime or social club; it was a core part of their identity, a guiding force that provided hope and dignity in the most dehumanizing of circumstances.
The Ideological Threat of Freemasonry to the Nazi Regime
The Nazi persecution of Freemasons was rooted in a broader ideological motive. Hitler viewed Freemasonry as a threat because it was fundamentally opposed to the principles of his regime. Freemasonry advocates personal liberty, equality, and the pursuit of truth—values that stand in stark contrast to totalitarianism. The Nazis demanded absolute control over people’s minds and lives, and organizations like Freemasonry, which encourage independent thought and unity across social lines, posed a real threat to that control.
Post-War Reestablishment of Freemasonry
After World War II, as concentration camps were liberated and the Nazi regime crumbled, Freemasonry was able to rebuild, though recovery took years. Survivors carried with them memories of the horrors endured and the brothers they lost. This chapter of Masonic history is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for core values, even when the world stands against us. Freemasonry teaches us about brotherhood, truth, and moral resilience, and the persecution Masons faced under Nazi rule is a profound reminder of what can happen when those values are threatened.
Freemasonry in German Prisoner of War Camps
Part II: Freemasonry Among Allied POWs
During World War II, many Allied soldiers who were Freemasons were captured by Axis forces and detained in POW camps. Though these camps were often brutal, with starvation, forced labor, and overcrowding, Masonic brothers among them sought to uphold their fraternity. Much like the Masons in concentration camps, Allied Masons in POW camps discovered subtle ways to maintain their brotherhood.
Some POWs continued Masonic rituals in secret, conducting covert lodge meetings even under the threat of severe punishment. In these camps, Masonic values such as brotherhood, support, and relief became essential for survival. These gatherings weren’t elaborate ceremonies but simple acts of solidarity, helping one another cope with the psychological and physical tolls of imprisonment. The secrecy and symbolism of Freemasonry enabled Masons to identify one another and foster supportive communities behind barbed wire.
The Symbol of the Forget-Me-Not Flower
A significant symbol of Masonic resilience and unity during World War II was the forget-me-not flower. In 1938, the Nazis banned Masonic symbols and rituals, forcing German lodges underground. In response, many German Freemasons adopted the forget-me-not as a discreet symbol of their fraternity. This small, blue flower became a reminder that they would neither forget each other nor the principles of Freemasonry, despite the dangers they faced.
The forget-me-not flower became a quiet but powerful emblem of defiance against the Nazis. It represented the enduring spirit of Freemasonry, surviving in spite of repression. After the war, the forget-me-not continued as a symbol of remembrance for those who had suffered and perished and as a tribute to the resilience of Masonic values under tyranny.
In POW camps, where Masons from various Allied countries were held, the forget-me-not often served as a way for Freemasons to identify each other without alerting captors. This simple act of fraternity provided hope and solidarity in situations where both were desperately needed.
Honoring the Legacy of Freemasons in WWII
After the war, Freemasonry paid homage to the memory of brothers who were POWs or perished in concentration camps. Many surviving Masons preserved and shared stories of these covert meetings, the quiet support they offered one another, and the profound lesson that even in the harshest conditions, Masonic brotherhood endured.
Reflecting on the experiences of Freemasons during World War II reveals the Craft’s strength in uniting people around truth, liberty, and fraternity. Symbols like the forget-me-not flower and the continued presence of Masonic brotherhood in oppressive environments remind us that even in the darkest times, the values of brotherhood and moral conviction can persevere.