Archival Photographs. of Polish Invasion. and Einsatzgruppen

Archival Photographs of Polish Invasion and Einsatzgruppen

Germany invades Poland on September 1, 1939

Great Britain and France declare war on Germany This is the beginning of World War 2

The Nazis quickly take control of Poland Fighting only last a few WEEKS

The Nazis quickly take control of Poland Fighting only last a few WEEKS (Poland surrenders on Sept. 27)

The Nazis quickly take control of Poland Fighting only last a few WEEKS

Nazis terrorize the ENTIRE population of Poland

Jews are singled out for the most BRUTAL treatment

Jews are forced to wear yellow Stars of David

Einsatzgruppen (an SS task force) is formed next next

Einsatzgruppen killed many POLISH Jews by the end of 1939 next next

They took my mother and shot her too... And then my grandmother, my father s mother, she was eighty years old and she had two children in her arms [when they shot her], and then there was my father s sister. She also had two children in her arms and she was shot on the spot with the babies in her arms. - Rivka Yosselevscka, survivor of Eisantsgruppen aktion in Zagrodski 1942

Kiev, May 16, 1942 Field Post Office No. 32704 B. Nr 40/42 Reich Secret Document To SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer Rauff Berlin The overhauling of the vans of [Einsatz] Gruppe D and C has been completed... I have had the vans of [Einsatz] Gruppe D disguised as house-trailers, by having a single window shutter fixed to each side of the small vans, and on the large ones, two shutters, such as one often sees on farmhouses in the country. The vans had become so well known that not only the authorities but the civilian population referred to them as the "Death Vans" as soon as one appeared. In my opinion the vans cannot be kept secret for any length of time even if they are camouflaged. The brakes of the Saurer van which I took from Taganrog to Simferopol were damaged on the way... When I reached Stalino and Gorlovka a few days later the drivers of the vans there complained of the same trouble... I also gave instructions that all personnel should stay as far away as possible from the vans when the gassing is in progress to prevent damage to their health in the event of gas leaking out. I would like to take this opportunity to call attention to the following: several of the special units let their own men do the unloading after gassing. I pointed out to the commanders of the Sonderkommando (Special Unit) concerned the enormous psychological and physical harm this may cause the men, possibly later even if not immediately. The men complained to me of headaches that recur after each such unloading. Nevertheless there is reluctance to change the orders because it is feared that if prisoners are used for this work they might make use of a favorable moment to escape. I request appropriate instructions in order to save the men from suffering harm. The gassing is generally not carried out correctly. In order to get the Aktion finished as quickly as possible the driver presses down on the accelerator as far as it will go. As a result the persons to be executed die of suffocation and do not doze off as was planned. It has proved that if my instructions are followed and the levers are properly adjusted death comes faster and the prisoners fall asleep peacefully. Distorted faces and excretions, such as were observed before, no longer occur. Today I shall continue my journey to [Einsatz] Gruppe B, where I may be reached for further instructions. Dr. Becker SS Untersturmfuehrer PS-501.

Archival Photographs of Warsaw Ghetto GHETTOS are sections of a city where a group of people are forced to live

Ghettos in Europe

Ghettos in Poland First large ghetto is set up in LODZ in early 1940

WARSAW Ghetto set up in October 1940 3 Step Process 1. Identify (wearing stars) 2. Isolate (ghettos) 3. Eliminate

The Ghettoization of Warsaw Nazi officials gather at the wall separating ghetto from the rest of Warsaw. Joseph Goebbels called the ghettos death boxes.

Street scenes from the Warsaw Ghetto The Warsaw Ghetto was extremely OVERCROWDED 33% of Warsaw s population was living in about 3% of the land

Money printed solely for use within the ghetto A Warsaw ghetto resident gives money to two children on a Warsaw ghetto street. Warsaw, Poland, between October 1940 and April 1943.

People had very little FOOD. About 43,000 people starved to death in the first year.

Daily Rations In Poland: Nazis = 2,500 Polish citizens = 1,600 Jews = 800 (or less) *some sources that say Jews received as few as 200 calories!

There was forced labor in the ghettos. These jobs and conditions were not as bad as those in camps.

Ghettos had UNSANITARY conditions (which means so dirty that it was unhealthy)

Ghettos had UNSANITARY conditions (which means so dirty that it was unhealthy) Street scene in the Warsaw ghetto. The sign at left announces: "Soup in the courtyard, first floor, apt. 47." Warsaw, Poland, 1940-1941.

Ghettos had UNSANITARY conditions (which means so dirty that it was unhealthy)

Poor conditions led to diseases like TYPHUS and TUBERCULOSIS Entrance to the Warsaw ghetto. The sign states: "Epidemic Quarantine Area: Only Through Traffic is Permitted." Warsaw, Poland, February 1941.

Ghettos were run by the Judenrat, a council of Jewish elders Judenrat operated under the NAZI orders but Tried to help as many of the Jews as possible!

Ghettos were run by the Judenrat, a council of Jewish elders Adam Czerniakow, leader of the Warsaw Judenrat Judenrat operated under the NAZI orders but Tried to help as many of the Jews as possible!

Jews in the ghetto were often deported to other places

Deportation aboard the box cars

Why didn t they fight back?! MANY PEOPLE WENT AGAINST THE NAZIS! It was called resistance

PASSIVE Resistance was peaceful hiding CHILDREN and others from the Nazis

PASSIVE Resistance was peaceful A German policeman interrogates a Jewish man accused of trying to smuggle a loaf of bread into the Warsaw ghetto. People were SMUGGLING food & supplies into ghettos.

SPIRITUAL Resistance was peaceful Continuing to celebrate their religious practices (as best they can!)

ARMED Resistance was is using violence to fight back Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

ARMED Resistance was is using violence to fight back Warsaw Ghetto Uprising starts on April 19, 1943 Mordechai Anielewicz and the Jewish Fighting Organization smuggled in weapons with the help of various people, including Vladka Meed.

ARMED Resistance was is using violence to fight back Warsaw Ghetto Uprising starts on April 19, 1943 Jews had guns, rifles, and homemade BOMBS Nazis had TANKS, flamethrowers, machine guns, and cannons

Damage from the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

The end of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising May 16, 1943

Rounding up Jews after the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

Emmanuel Ringelbaum: Documented life in the Warsaw Ghetto through diaries and photos. He buried many of the items underground.

Warsaw Ghetto after the liberation in 1945

Janus Korczak: Educator who gave his life to protect the children in his care