Members of the German minority resided predominantly in the lands of the former German Empire but not only.[5] Many were hostile towards the existence of the Polish state after losing their colonial privileges at the end of World War I.[6] German organizations in Poland such as Deutscher Volksverband and the Jungdeutsche Partei actively engaged in espionage for the Abwehr, sabotage actions, weapons-smuggling and Nazi propaganda campaigns before the invasion.[7] In late 1939 through spring of 1940 the German Volksdeutscher Selbstschutz took active part in the massacres of civilian Poles and Jews.[8]