|
This was
the first five-figure massacre of Jews. In July, Kamenets-Podolsk
was occupied by the Hungarian forces that fought alongside Nazi
Germany against the Soviet Union. Beginning in mid-July, some 14,000
Jews, residents but not citizens of Hungary, were deported to
Korosmezo near the Polish border. From there, they were sent to
Kolomija near Kamenets-Podolsk, and turned over to the SS. By August
10, at least 14,000 Jews had been handed over in this fashion. On
August 25, these Jews’ fate was sealed in a meeting at the
headquarters of the commander of the Wehrmacht logistics division at
Vinnitsa. At this meeting, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer Friedrich Jeckeln
promised to finish murdering, by September, the Jews whom the
Hungarians had turned over. The Aktion took place on August
27-28, and according to Jeckeln’s report (Operational Report USSR
No. 80), 23,600 persons were murdered—14,000-18,000 from Hungary
and the rest local. The Hungarians had also played an active role in
the murder. |
