Introduction

During World War II, the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) under Usta?a leadership established a brutal and unique system of concentration and death camps, which were specifically designed and used to exterminate thousands of children and women. This article will explore the infamous concentration and extermination camps of Stara Gradika, Jasenovac, and Jastrebarsko, shedding light on the atrocities committed against children during this dark period in history.

Usta?a Regime and Concentration Camps

The NDH, Nezavisna Drava Hrvatska, was ruled by the Usta?a movement, which did not represent the entirety of Croat society. While many Croats opposed the Usta?a regime, it was nonetheless the Usta?a who organized and managed the concentration and extermination camps. These camps, initially established for dealing with Jewish populations but later extended to encompass Serbs, were a testament to the Usta?a's brutal ideology.

Stara Gradika Concentration Camp

One of the most notorious camps was the Stara Gradika concentration camp, which was specifically designed for children and women. Functioning as part of the Jasenovac complex, this camp utilized various methods to inflict unimaginable suffering upon its inmates. Maks Luburi?, Dinko, Nada, and Miroslav Filipovi?, known for their inhumane tactics, were notorious figures who aimed to eradicate life at this facility.

Andrija Artukovi?, the perpetrator who ordered the administration to poison children, symbolizes the depth of cruelty. The camp's horrors included the killing of children with Zyklon B and sulfur dioxide, as well as the infamous competition between guards to see who could kill more inmates in a single night. Usta?a forces began clearing the site in April 1945, leading to the subsequent train transports of inmates, some of whom were burned alive in Jasenovac itself.

The Jasenovac Memorial Administration documented the plight of around 12,000 victims of Stara Gradika.

Sisak Concentration Camp

Another infamous camp was the Sisak concentration camp, led by Antun Najer, known as the "Croatian Mengele." This camp, established in existing buildings without proper facilities, housed around 6,500 children, of whom more than 1,600 died due to malnutrition, typhus, and torture. Sisak is considered the only concentration camp in Europe specifically designed for children, operating for five months until its closure in the mid-1940s. Despite some restoration efforts, the memorial plaque was destroyed in the 1990s, and the cemetery remains in a state of ruin.

Jastrebarsko Concentration Camp

Established in 1942, Jastrebarsko concentration camp was managed by the Usta?a with the supervision of nuns from the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. Despite being aimed at "re-educating" children, this camp still witnessed a high mortality rate, with estimates suggesting between 450 and 1,500 children lost their lives there. The camp was liberated in August 1942, bringing it to an end.

Other Notable Camps

Beyond the camps mentioned, it is important to note that other tragic incidents occurred during the war. For instance, during the Boer War, the British established concentration camps for women and children, conditions in which 22,000 Boer children died due to lack of food, hygiene, and medical care.

Another example is the Kinder KZ, a concentration camp for Polish children in Lodz, managed by the SS and targeted at children involved in petty crimes or orphans. The youngest victim was just two years old, though the specific tools used for execution are unknown.

Conclusion

While there may have been other such camps in other parts of the world, the Usta?a regime's concentration camps stand as one of the most egregious examples of child extermination during the Second World War. The atrocities committed here reflect the barbarity of the Usta?a leadership and highlight the need for continued education and vigilance to ensure such horrors are not repeated. However, it is essential to acknowledge those who risked their lives to save Serbian and Jewish children, including heroes such as Tatjana Marini?, Diana Budisavljevi?, and Branko ?avила, and to commemorate their actions.

Keywords: Usta?a, Jasenovac, Stara Gradika, concentration camps, wartime atrocities.