Brown Babies, was a term used for children born to black soldiers and white European women during and after World War II. Other names include “war orphans,”war babies,” and “occupation babies.” In Germany they were known as Mischlingskinder, a derogatory term first used under the Nazi regime for children of mixed Jewish-German marriages.
Brown babies born in Germany were shipped out of the country after World War II. As many as 5,000 children were sent to live with black adoptive families in the United States during a time when racial segregation was strong and blacks living with blacks was accepted.
These particular born brown babies were the product of interracial relationships in Germany after the second World War. If white mothers kept the interracial babies they were criticized and ridiculed. Mothers stood out because of their dark-skinned children in the mostly-white country. Many of them were called ‘neg erhu Eren’ or negro whores.
The socializing between black American soldiers and German women, while frowned upon, was not legally forbidden, whereas any public interaction between blacks and white women in the U.S. was outlawed at the time. The young child also faced troubling racism from both sides of their family. of the approximate 95,000 children born from relationships between U.S. soldiers and European women during the occupation, 5,000 were considered brown babies.
Although there were many children who were adopted by American families, there were many children who remained in Germany. These children were left with holes in their personal life history. Many of the children were raised not knowing their history. Mothers and fathers were forced to give them away. However, many of the black soldiers wanted to marry the mothers of the children but they were not allowed because interracial dating during this time was morally reprehensible. Many of the children were raised never understanding why they looked different than their adopted parents and why they had memories of living in Germany.
Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2064446/Germanys-brown-babies-search-American-fathers.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Babies
16 Comments
Those interested in knowing more about this subject should pick up a copy from Amazon.com of a very
revealing book titled “Destined to Witness”, Growing up Black in Nazi Germany by Hans Jurgens Massaquoi
grandson of the Liberian Counsel General to the Weimar Republic during the 1920’s. There is an entire
history of black Germany most know nothing about. When Hans was one of the editors for Ebony Magazine
Mr. Johnson pleaded with him to get his biography in print and after years of relenting he finally came out
of the closet with his excellent story.
Erick Dean Tippett
Retired Musician/Teacher
Chicago, Illinois
I attended high school with a girl named Cosima who was a “brown” baby. We graduated high school in 1966, and I wonder whatever happened to her. After Henry Kissinger became famous in the 1970s, I always thought she looked like a female version of him. She was very attractive, and a nice person. I hope she lived/is living a very good life. She would be 68/69 years old now. She would tell us about how her life was in Germany, and that because of the way she was treated by SOME German people she was sent to America to live.
Gonna order when I get paid. Thanks.
Thank you much Eric Dean Tippett!! I have long been made aware that my father who served in WWII in Germany had a son by a German woman. There was correspondence between the two for quite a while when he returned to the states. I have often wondered…….
I really do enjoy reading about our black history, being a local historial myself i am always amayed and affected about the things our people suffer to just live from day today. Thanks for sharing because i am trying to share what i learn with others, becacause thwere is so much that we did not know and it wasn’t taught so i am always appreciated when i get to read or see the history.
Finally recognition of our pain. Closure! I’m a “brown War Baby” and I’m 50 years old. I just very recently found my biological father who is African American. I took a DNA -test in 2014 and a Family member contacted me in July 2017. The very sad and painful beginning of my existence has now become a happier ending. Thank you to those that finally stood up for us and we’re no longer a taboo.
Hello
Im glad you found your father. I was stationed in Geissen Germany. I have been trying to find a child I left years ago. I don’t know what to do to find this child. I have contacted and agency but no one has been able to help me.
Do you know any other way I could find this child. All I can remember is the mother’s first name.
Hello
Im glad you found your father. I was stationed in Geissen Germany. I have been trying to find a child I left years ago. I don’t know what to do to find this child. I have contacted an agency there no one has been able to help me.
Do you know any other way I could find this child. All I can remember is the mother’s first name. Her name is Melonie
Hello
Im glad you found your father. I was stationed in Geissen Germany. I have been trying to find a child I left years ago. I don’t know what to do to find this child. I have contacted an agency there no one has been able to help me.
Do you know any other way I could find this child. All I can remember is the mother’s first name. Her name is Melonie
Very Respectfully
Hi Tim
what have you tried so far? How old should she or be right now? Was the Mother from Giessen? I can try to help if you’re interested. My German is still fluent. Let me know and we can chat about it.
best regards
Nina
The mother wasn’t from Geissen. She was originally from Italy but we met in Geissen.
She lived near Kitzegen area. I found out in December of 1999 that she was pregnant.
I contacted an agency 2 years ago in Giessen and they were not able to help me. I was told maybe she married a service member and moved. I really don’t know how or if I could ever find her. I know there is a child out there and I have been trying to connect for sometime now. But with limited information what else can I do?
Okay Tim, have you taken a DNA Genealogy test? You could get connected to her or him if they have also taken a test. Was the Mother also in the Military? If so you could contact the VA to get resources. Germany should have a Birth record or Marriage license on file, if the Mother gave birth in Giessen or got married there. You could invest into a Private Investigator or there is another option not sure how you feel about it but it’s worse a shot https://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/long-lost-family/. They can help, they have an application process but it doesn’t cost anything. Let me know if you need more help.
Best regards
Nina
She was never in the military just someone I met at the local club and dated for a short time.
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