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Shortly
after the bodies at Treblinka were cremated, the underground that
had coalesced at the camp decided not to postpone the uprising any
longer. The date they chose was August 2. Using an improvised key to
the camp arsenal, members of the underground began to remove and
distribute weapons. The rebels became suspicious that one of the
camp commanders had discovered the action and were forced to
eliminate him. The sound of the gunshot brought the camp guards to
the site, disrupted the continued distribution of weapons, and
interfered with the plan to take over the camp. As members of the
underground opened fire on the SS men and torched most of the camp.
Masses of prisoners rushed to the fences. Guards opened fire on them
from the watchtowers. Most of the escapees were shot near the fence;
others managed to break out, but were caught and shot by German
reinforcements that had been rushed to the area. Approximately 70
escapees survived.
Most of the
buildings were ablaze the uprising, except for the gas chambers.
Prisoners who had not escaped were shot at once, or were murdered
after having to efface the murder that had been carried out in the
camp. |
