Night of the Bayonets

This fascinating account sheds light on a little-known Nazi rebellion led by Georgian prisoners-turned-soldiers in the final days of WWII.

In April of 1945, members of the Georgian Legion serving on Nazi-occupied Texel Island rose up and slaughtered their German masters. Hitler ordered reinforcements and the fighting continued well after the war’s end. In Night of the Bayonets, historian Eric Lee examines this remarkable uprising from its bloods origins to its grim conclusion.

Thousands of Georgians served in the Soviet forces during World War II. Many of those who were captured were forced to either “starve or fight” wearing Wehrmacht uniforms. But once deployed to the Netherlands, the Georgian soldiers made contact with the local Communist resistance.

When their moment came, the Georgians massacred some 400 German officers using knives and bayonets. Hitler’s response was swift and merciless. It was not until May 20th—12 days after the war had ended—that Canadian forces finally put an end to the slaughter.