Transport of concentration camp inmates to Tyrol

The transport of concentration camp inmates to Tyrol refers to a transfer of 139 high-profile prisoners (Prominente) of the Nazi regime in the final weeks of the Second World War in Europe from Dachau concentration camp in Bavaria to South Tyrol. 104 special prisoners and 37 family prisoners (German: 104 Sonder- und 37 Sippenhäftlinge) were liberated by the Wehrmacht on 30 April 1945.

The transport is notable for involving a confrontation between the escorting SS and SD detachments and a force of the German Army (Heer) in Niederdorf. Ultimately, the SS/SD were faced with overwhelming firepower and stood down, whereupon the army unit "adopted" the Prominente and escorted them to their final destination at the Hotel Pragser Wildsee some 12 km away. There, the prisoners were protected from both fanatical German forces and Italian partisans until relieved by a company of the U.S. 5th Army on May 4, 1945.

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