Luxembourg Marks 83rd Anniversary of Nazi Forced Conscription

Luxembourg paid tribute this weekend to one of the darkest chapters in its history, marking 83 years since the Nazi regime imposed compulsory conscription on the country’s youth. A commemorative ceremony was held on Saturday, 30 August 2025, recalling the moment when thousands of Luxembourgers were forced into military service against their will.

The date carries heavy symbolism: on 30 August 1942, Gauleiter Gustav Simon announced that young Luxembourgers would be drafted into the German army. Between 1942 and 1944, around 10,200 men aged 18 to 24 were compelled to serve in Hitler’s forces.

The repression did not stop with men. Thousands of young women also fell victim to Nazi decrees, with 3,614 Luxembourger women sent to the Reich Labour Service (RAD) and, in some cases, to the War Auxiliary Service (KHD).

For many families, these orders brought impossible choices and lifelong scars. The Ministry of State emphasised that the suffering endured by these young people — torn from their homes and confronted with war — remains a vital part of Luxembourg’s collective memory.

The ceremony served as both a solemn reminder of past injustice and a tribute to resilience, ensuring that the sacrifices of those conscripted against their will are never forgotten.

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