Nazi Ratlines in Franco’s Madrid

PBS: UK PREMIERE Friday 25 April at 7.05pm

In 1944, while Spain was recovering from its own civil war, the rest of Europe was fighting World War II. As the tide turned in the Allies’ favour, fleeing fascists sought refuge in the young Francoist state.

They not only found protection under the regime but also sympathisers who shared their ideology. Integrating themselves into Spanish society, the fugitives tried to project an image of normality while seeking an escape route.

As this documentary shows, the ‘rat lines’ were thus born, promising Nazis safe conduct to South America or the Middle East, where they could continue agitating for their political cause. Madrid came to be seen as the perfect place for fascism to be reborn.