Forced marches, or commonly known as death marches, happened frequently as the war was ending and the Allies gained territory from German forces. As the Allies occupied German lands and advanced towards concentration camps, the Nazis began to move camp inmates away from the advancing armies and further into Germany. The goal to was to safeguard inmates so that they could continue to be exploited for forced labour in German industries. Often these death marches were on foot, over long distances, in bad weather, and anyone who could not keep up were shot or left for dead. Many also died from exhaustion and exposure.
Synonyms:
Death march