Ratlines (World War II)

High-ranking fascists and Nazis who escaped from Europe via the ratlines after World War II: Ante Pavelić, Adolf Eichmann and Josef Mengele

The ratlines (German: Rattenlinien) were systems of escape routes used by German Nazis and other fascists to flee Europe from 1945 onwards in the aftermath of World War II. These escape routes mainly led toward havens in South America – particularly Argentina, reportedly coordinating with the Nazis – in addition to Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay. Other destinations included Spain, Switzerland, and Canada.

Two primary routes from Germany to South America developed independently with their operators eventually collaborating. The first transferred through Spain and the second through Rome and Genoa. The ratlines were supported by some clergy of the Catholic Church, such as Austrian bishop Alois Hudal and Croatian priest Krunoslav Draganović, as well as some outlets of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Starting in 1947, the United States utilized Draganović's network and an official at the International Refugee Organization to help some refugees in their custody in occupied Austria flee to South America – including Gestapo leader Klaus Barbie, who settled in Bolivia.