Shown from May 10th 2005
The white bus operation
One of the Swedish Red Cross’ help-eff
orts has become well-known as “The White Bus operation”. Folke Bernadotte, who was at that time the vice-chairman for the Swedish Red Cross, was put in charge of organizing a rescue mission that saved thousands of people’s lives during World War II.
Now one of the white busses is on display in the House of Humanity as an example of how people have taken responsibility to help others—young drivers who, without a doubt, hopped in behind the steering wheel and headed off toward Germany.
By climbing into the white bus, one can get a glimpse of what it meant to take responsibility in 1945, and be transported from Sweden to the concentration camps in Germany.
Inside and in relation to the bus, we discuss what it means to take responsibility in the world today.
Pictures from Swedish Red Cross archives