State Secret The SS & Police Leader in the District of Galicia
Ref. 42/43 g.R.-Ch/Fr
Re: Solution of Jewish Question in Galicia Concerning: Enclose Report Enclosure: 1 Report (executed in triplicate) 1 bound Copy
June 30th 1943
2 Copies 1st copy
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To:
The Superior SS and Police Leader East SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of Police Krueger or deputy
a Cracow ,
Enclosed I am submitting the 1st copy of the Final Report on the Solution of the Jewish Question in the District of Galicia for your information.
[Signed] KATZMANN SS Gruppenfuehrer and Lt. Gen. of Police
SOLUTION OF THE JEWISH PROBLEM IN THE DISTRICT OF GALICIA
Owing to the term "Galician Jew," Galicia probably was the spot on earth which was best known and most frequently mentioned in connection with Jewry. Here they lived in immense, multitudes, forming a world of their own, out of which the rising generations of world-Jewry were supplied. In all parts of Galicia one found Jews in their hundreds of thousands.
According to obsolete statistics of 1931 the number of Jews then was about 502,000. This number should not have decreased from 1931 up to the summer of 1941. Precise statements on the number of Jews present at the time when the German troops invaded Galicia are not available. By the Committees of Jews the number was stated to have been 350,000 at the end of 1941. That this statement was incorrect will be seen from the statement at the end of this report with regard to the evacuation of Jews. The town of Lemberg alone had about 160,000 Jewish inhabitants in July-August 1941.
The influence of this Galician Jewry, being considerable already under Austrian and Polish rule, increased to an almost incredible extent when the Soviets occupied this district in 1939.
Every important appointment within the country was filled by them. This explains the fact that in July 1941, after the occupation by German troops, Jews were found everywhere. Hence it was considered to be also our most urgent task to find a solution for this problem as soon as possible.
Our first measure consisted of marking every Jew by a white armlet bearing the Star of David in blue. By virtue of a decree of the Governor General the Department of the Interior was responsible for the marking and registrating of Jews as well as for the formation of Committees of Jews. Our task, that of the Police, was first of all to counter effectively the immense black market carried on by Jews throughout the entire district and especially to take measures,against loafing idlers and vagabonds.
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The best remedy consisted of the formation, by the SS and Police Leader of Forced Labor Camps. The best opportunities for labor were oifered by the necessity to complete the "Dg.4" road which was extremely important and necessary for the whole of the southern part of the front, and which was in a catastrophically bad condition. On October 15, 1941, the establishment of camps along the road was commenced, and despite considerable difficulties there existed, after a few weeks, only seven camps, containing 4,000 Jews.
Soon more camps followed these first ones, so that after a very short time the completion of 15 camps of this kind could be reported to the Superior Leader of SS and Police. In the course of time about 20,000 Jewish labourers passed through these camps. Despite the hardly imaginable difficulties occurring at this work I can report today that about 160 km of the road are completed. [Photographs omitted].
j(: sj: & 4:
At the same time all other Jews fit for work were registered and distributed for useful work by the labor agencies. When the Jews were marked by the Star of David as well as when they were registered by the labor agencies, the first symptoms appeared of their attempts to dodge the orders of the authorities. The measures which were introduced thereupon, led to thousands of arrests. It became more and more apparent that the Civil Administration was not in a position to solve the Jewish problem in an approximately satisfactory manner. When, for instance, the Municipal Administration in Lwow had no success in their attempts to house the Jews within a close district which would be inhabited only by Jews, this question too was solved quickly by the SS and Police Leader through his subordinate officials. This measure became the more urgent as in winter 1941 big centres of spotted /ever were noted in many parts of the town whereby not only the native population was endangered but also, and to a greater extent, the troops themselves, those stationed there as well as those passing through. During this removal of the Jews into a certain quarter of the town several sluices were erected at which all the work-shy and a social Jewish rabble were caught, during the screening and treated in a special way.
The owing to the peculiar fact that almost 90% of artisans working in Galicia were Jews, the task to be solved could be fulfilled only step by step, since an immediate evacuation would not have served the interest of war economy. With regard to those Jews, however, who had a place in the labor process, no real ef-
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feet could be found of their work. They used their job mostly only as a means to an end, namely in order first to dodge the intensified measures against Jewry and secondly to be able to carry on their black market activities without interference. Only by continuous police interference was it possible to prevent of these activities. After it had been found in more and more cases that Jews had succeeded in making themselves indispensable to their employers by providing them with goods in scarce supply etc., it was considered necessary to introduce really draconic measures. Unfortunately it had to be stated that the Germans employed in the district, especially so-called "Operational Firms" or the "ill-famed Trustees" carried on the most extravagant black market activities with Jews. Cases were discovered where Jews, in order to acquire any certificate of labor, not only renounced all wages, but even paid money themselves. Moreover, the "organizing" of Jews for the benefit of their "employers" grew to so catastrophical extents that it was deemed necessary to interfere in the most energetic manner for the benefit of the German name.
Since the Administration was not in a position and showed itself too weak to master this chaos, the SS and Police Leader simply took over the entire disposition of labor for Jews. The Jewish Labor Agencies which were manned by hundreds of Jews, were dissolved. All certificates of labor given by firms or administrative offices were declared invalid, and the cards given to the Jews by the Labor Agencies were revalidated by the Police Offices by stamping them.
In the course of this action again thousands of Jews were caught who were in possession of forged certificates or who had obtained surreptitiously certificates of labor by all kinds of pretexts. These Jews also were exposed to special treatment.
Army administration offices in particular had countenanced Jewish parasitism by giving special certificates to an uncontrollable extent. ,
Of the great number of certificates caught, only three will be enclosed; you will be able to conclude what methods were used with the intention to sabotage the measures of the SS.
1.
CERTIFICATE ALSTER Benjamin (Recte Hasten) born 3.6.1905 at Takinow
is employed by the Army Accommodation Administration, Lwow, as a foreman for urgent work.
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Members of his family are ALSTER Hasten, Githa, Mother. Valid until July 31st 1942 Extended until August 31st 1942
Lowo, 22.6.42 Army Billet Office Signature [Stamp]
The persons mentioned above are registered. They are to be exempted from evacuation.
2.
The Jewess ATLAS Rosa -Keeps house for the "A" Jew No. 20 008
employed by H.K.P. 547
whose identity card has been stamped by the SS and Police Leader. She is registered, and it is requested to leave her in Lwow.
Lwow, 10.8.1942 Army Car Park 547 Signature,
[Stamp.]
3.
Army Building Office Lwow.
CERTIFICATE
For Family Members of Jews in Employment The Jewess HIRSCHFELD Mina
born 1894, resident in Lwow, 2 Sonnen street, is the wife of the Jew provided with an employment Certificate by virtue of decree of 12.3.1942 HIRSCHFELD Oscar (No. 4181)
Valid until July 31st 1942 Signature
[Stamp.]
Lwow, July 1st 1942
There were cases when arrested Jews were in possession of 10 to 20 of such certificates.
Where Jews were arrested in the course of these check-ups most of their employers thought it necessary to intervene in favor of the Jews. This often happened in a manner which had to be called deeply shameful.
An especially exaggerated example is the action of a certain
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Schmalz, a wholesale butcher working for the Army in Lwow, who sent from Berlin the following telegram to the Office of the SS and Police Leader:
"Urgent
SS Untersturmfuehrer Loehner c/o SS Police Leader Lwow . District Office
The two certificate holders are craftsmen watchmakers; are resident in my future factory as night watchmen and watchmakers in day time. I should not wish to be guilty of their death; after my return you can have them both, they do not run away. I beg of you
Signature."
When steps were taken to investigate the actions of this butcher, it transpired that the fellow had carried on the most incredible black market business with the Jews. Schmalz was arrested and put at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor.
Despite all these measures concerning the employment of Jews their evacuation [Aussiedelung] from the district of Galicia was commenced in April 1942, and executed step by step.
When the Superior SS and Police Leader once again intervened in the solution of the Jewish problem by his Decree Concerning the Formation of Districts inhabited by Jews of 10.11.1942 already 254,989 Jews had been evacuated [Ausgesiedelt], resp. resettled [umgesiedelt].
Since the Superior SS and Police Leader gave the further order to accelerate the complete evacuation [Aussiedelung] of the Jews, again considerable work was necessary to regulate the status of those Jews who, for the time being were permitted to be left in the armaments factories. The Jews in question were declared Labor Prisoners of the Superior SS and Police Leader and they were put. into barracks, either within the factories or in camps established for this purpose. For the town of Lwow a Giant Camp was established at the borders of the tbwn, in which at the time of writing 8,000 Jewish Labor Prisoners are confined. The agreement with the Army concerning the disposition and treatment of these Labor Prisoners was executed in writing. The decree which contained the measures now in force is attached herewith.
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Lwow, October 23, 1942
The SS & Police Leader
in the District of Galicia XIII-688/42 (g)
Re: Disposition of Jewish Labor Your Ref: Letter of the Inspection
of Armaments of 21.9.42 and letter of Command of Armaments of 19.10.42 To the Command of Armaments
Lwow
SECRET
The Inspector of Armaments in the GG. and the Superior. SS & Police Leader East, Secretary of State for Security in the GG. have issued special orders and rules for the uniform treatment of the Jewish laborers used in the armament factories. Following a conference between the Officer commanding the armaments enterprises Lwow, and the SS and. Police Leader in the District of Galicia the ensuing agreement was reached on 17.10.1942:
1. Housing.
On principle the Jewish laborers are to be put into barracks and when in camps are subjected to control by the SS and Police Leader Galicia and in this respect the police offices under his orders. Since the establishment of Police Camps has not yet been completed everywhere the work administrations for the time being have themselves to place the Jewish laborers into camps. In case it should be impossible for a factory to provide housing in a camp, the Jewish laborers employed there are to be housed in certain blocks of the Jewish Quarter still remaining. With regard to this housing the work administrations will communicate with the local offices of the Security Police. It has to be emphasized that under no circumstances the relatives of the Jewish laborers may be allowed to find accommodation within the same block. With regard to the Jewish laborers employed in factories situated in Lwow, a separate order will be issued. For the time being they Will be housed together in the Jewish Housing District in the same manner. ( Thi's question will be regulated by the SS & Pol. L.).
II. Food.
Feeding of the Jewish laborers has to be provided by the factories. It will take place within the factory without exception. Besides a main meal, breakfast and supper will be provided. Full board will be provided also in case of illness. The factories will apply for provisions at, and receive them from, the GG., Princi-
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pal Department, according to the rules issued by the Government. Feeding and agriculture department, Market Order Ilia la/100 18.8.42.
HI. Clearing of Payments.
Commencing on 1 November 1942 the Jewish laborers will not receive any payment in cash. The factory administrations will pay to the SS and Pol. L. Galicia for each Jewish Laborer pro calendar day and shift 5 Zloty a man, 4 Zloty a woman. Salary tax and insurance contributions do not arise. From the above sums of 5, and 4 Zl. respectively, the expenses for feeding and the overhead expenses will be deducted. This amount to be deducted may not surpass Zl. 1.60 a day. The office of the SS & Pol. L. is entitled to examine accounts. The sums to be paid will be paid into the Account concerning payments of factories, maintained by the SS & Pol. L. Galicia at the Emission Bank in Lwow. Payment has to be completed the third of every month for the preceding month. For the purpose of proving the correctness, copies of the wage-lists for each day will be sent to the administration of the SS & Pol. L. Galicia, Lwow, Siegfriestreet 3.
IV. Clothing.
The Jewish laborers when sent to the camps will be permitted to take with them ample clothing, especially winter clothes. The local Police Offices have been especially informed of this order. With a view for supplementing and renewing, the factories may request supplementary clothing through the SS & Pol. L. but only for special reasons.
V. General Ruling.
The SS & Pol. L. Galicia and the Armament Command agree on the necessity of keeping the Jewish laborers fit for work, and that therefore appropriate housing, clothing, and medical care have to be provided. In case of difficulties, if any, the factory administrations are requested to agree with the local offices of the Security Police. The SS & Pol. L. Galicia and the Armaments Command, Lwow are to be informed in such cases. If difficulties should not be solved by such local discussions, application for a .decision will have to be addressed without delay to the SS & Pol.
L. of the District of Galicia.
Signed Hofmann
SS Brig. Leader and Gen. Maj. of Police
Distribution:
Schwarz and Co., Lwow Textilia Lwow
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UI8
UI8
Metrawat AG, branch Lwow Training factories AW Lwow Hobag-Holzbau AG branch Lwow Barril Store factory in Bolechau Furniture Factory in Bolechau Carpathiaus Oil AG For information to:
Commander of the Security Police and SD in the Galicia District Lwow, with copies to the foreign agencies.
Commander of the Order Police [Ordungspolizei] in the Galicia District Lwow with copies to the Military Police District Leaders.
SS. Ustuf Fichtuer in the Staff.
SS. Ustuf Loehnert in the Staff.
SS. Ustuf Hildebrand in the Staff. ,
In the meantime further evacuation [Aussiedelung] was executed with energy, so that with effect from 23 June 1943 all Jewish Residence Districts could be dissolved. Therewith I report that the District of Galicia, with the exception of those Jews living in the camps being under the control of the SS & Pol. Leader, is
Free from Jetvs
Jews still caught in small numbers are given special treatment by the competent detachments of Police and Gendarmerie.
Up to 27 June 1943 altogether 434.329 Jews have been evacuated [ausgesiedelt].
Camps for Jews are still in existence in:
Lwow Kosaki Drohobycz
Weinbergen Zborow Boryslaw
Ostrow Jezierna Stryj
Kurowice Tarnapol Belechow
Jaktorow Hluboczek Broschniow
Lackie Borki-Wielki Njebelow
Pluhow Kamienki
containing altogether 21.156 Jews. This number is being reduced currently.
Together with the evacuated action, we executed the confiscation of Jewish property. Very high amounts were confiscated and paid over to the Special Staff "Reinhard". Apart from furniture and many textile goods, the following amounts were confiscated and turned over to Special Staff "Reinhard":
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As per 30.6.1943:
25,580 kg Copper Coins
53,190 kg 97,581 kg 82,600 kg 6,640 kg 432,780 kg 167,740 kg 18,490 kg 20,050 kg 20,952 kg 22,740 kg 11,730 kg 28,200 kg 44,655 kg 482,900 kg 343,100 kg 20,880 kg 39,917 kg 18,020 kg 6,166 kg 3,133 kg 3,425 kg 1,256 kg 2,892 kg 68 kg 98 7 5 100,550 kg 3,290 kg 460 kg 280 kg 7,495 kg Nickel Coins Gold Coins Necklaces—-Silver N ecklaces—Gold Broken Silver Silver Coins Iron Coins Brass Coins Wedding Rings—Gold Pearls Dental Gold—Dentures Powder Boxes—Silver or Metal Broken Gold Cutlery—Silver Cigarette Boxes—Silver or Metal Rings, Gold with stones Brooches, Ear Rings etc. Silver rings Watches, all kinds Watches, Silver Wrist Watches—Silver Wrist Watches—Gold Watches—Gold Cameras Binoculars Stamp Collections—complete Trunks filled with loose stamps 3 bags with rings, not genuine 1 box with corals 1 chest with corals 1 chest with corals 1 box with fountain pens and propelling pencils 1 basket with fountain pens and propelling pencils . 1 suitcase with fire tongs 1 suitcase with pocket knives 1 suitcase with watch-parts
Banknotes: Paper-261,589.75 —Metal USA—Dollars—Paper Gold Dollars: 3 a 5, 18 a 10, 28 a 20
2,515.75 Canadian Dollars
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124 Argentine Pesos _
18,766,64 Hungarian Pengoe
231,789 Roubles—Paper Gold Roubles: 1 a 7 V^.ll a 10, 29 a 5
4316 Rouble—Paper
513 French Francs
2.460 Swedish Francs
52 Austrian Ducats—Gold Austrian Crowns 36 a 10, 25 a 20 8 a 100
2,229,18,60 English Pounds
23 African Pounds
13,490 Roumanian Lei
25,671 Russian Cerwon
4,600,70 Czechoslovakian Crowns—Paper
185 Dutch Florins
5,277 Palastinian Pounds
9,300 Palastinian Mille
160 Lithuanian Oere
360 English Schillings
1 Irish Lst. Irish Pounds
1 Hungarian Pesos
2 Mexican Pesos
10 Norwegian Crowns
3,817,70 Slovakian Crowns
435 Karbowanez
16,795,000 Zloty
Following the "Fur-action" in December 1941 35 Wagons of Furs were handed over.
Earned Moneys from Forced Labor Camps and from W. and R.
Factories
. 25.5.1943
1. Forced Labor Camps
a. Takings
Wages .................. 11,511,606.98 Zl.
Hidden money found in
clothes .............. 1,232,143.71 Zl.
Proceeds from useless tools ......................... 807.93 Zl.
12,744,558.62 Zl.
693260—46—49
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b. Outgoings (Board for Prisoners)
1. Food, Clothes, Medicine 3,108.866.62 Zl.
2. Wages, Custody by
Ukrainian Police .... 47,358.51 Zl.
3. Camp-sustenance Repairs, Rents ......... 118,063.15 Zl.
4. Means of Conveyance
Horses ............. 1,448,863.57 Zl.
Cars .................. 83,324.14 Zl.
Tools .................. 3,037.10 Zl.
5. Purchases of Furniture 2,410.15 Zl.
Postage and Telephone 5,678.44 Zl.
Office needs ............ 29,005.59 Zl.
6. Buildings ............. 220,000.00 Zl.
5,066,607.27 Zl.
2. W.&R. Factories
Takings .................. 7,711,428.92 Zl. 7,711,428.92 Zl.
3. Amount paid over to the SS Cashier
a. Camps.................. 6,876,251.00 Zl.
b. W.&R. Factories ...... 6,556,513.69 Zl. .
13,423,764.69 Zl.
Further payments to the SS-Cashier are effected every month.
Owing to the great number of Jews and the vast area to be combed out these actions were performed with the assistance of detachments from the Security Police, the Order Police, the Gendarmerie, the Special Service, and the Ukrainian Police, all acting together in numerous single sweeps. Page 19 of this report contains a map intended to show how Jews lived scattered throughout the whole of the District, until the special Jewish residence districts were established. The detachments continually were exposed to serious physical and mental strains. Again and again they had to overcome the nausea threatening them when they were compelled to enter the dirty and pestilential Jewish holes. During the searches there has been found, moreover, a number of leaflets in the Hebrew language, inciting the Jews to breed lice carrying spotted fever, in order to destroy the Police Force. In fact several phials filled with lice were confiscated. Nothing but catastrophical conditions were found in the Ghettoes of Rawa-Ruska and Rohatyn. The Jews of Rawa-Ruska, fearing the evacuation, had concealed those suffering from ¿potted fever in underground holes. When evacuation was to
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start the Police found that 3000 Jews suffering from spotted fever lay about in this Ghetto.
* * * * * ' * *
[MAP]
From this map one is able to see how the Jews lived scattered throughout the whole of the district, until the special Jewish Residence Districts were established. The large dots refer to localities of more than 1000 Jews, the smaller ones where less than 1000 Jews lived.
At once every Police Officer innoeulated against spotted fever was called into action. Thus we succeeded to destroy this plague-boil, losing thereby only one officer. Almost the same conditions were found in Rohatyn. Moreover our detachments again and again discovered smaller or larger centres of pestilence in many towns and villages. Despite all our precautionary measures 120 officers fell ill of spotted fever, of whom only 18 died, owing to the protective measures introduced by us.
Some photos of these dirt caves may give an idea of the degree of effort which every officer had to apply to force himself to merely enter these centres of dirt. [Photographs omitted.]
On the occasion of these actions, many more difficulties occurred owing to the fact that the Jews tried every means in order to dodge evacuation [Aussiedelung]. Not only did they try to flee, but they concealed themselves in every imaginable corner, in pipes, chimneys, even in sewers, etc. They built barricades in passages of catacombs, in cellars enlarged to dug-outs, in underground holes, in cunningly contrived hiding-places in attics and sheds, within furniture, etc.
The smaller the number of Jews remaining in the district, the harder their resistance. Arms of all kinds, among them those of Italian make, were used for defense. The Jews purchased these Italian arms from Italian soldiers stationed in the District for high sums in Zloty currency. The ensuing photos give a small selection from the arms confiscated. Especially dangerous were the sawed-off carbines of all kinds. [Photographs omitted.]
Underground bunkers were found with entrances concealed in a masterly manner opening some times into flats, some times into the open. In most cases the entrances had only so much width that just one person could crawl through it. The access was concealed in such a manner that it could not be found by persons not acquainted with the locality. Here nothing succeeded but the assistance of some Jews to whom anything whaf-L— 18
ever was promised in exchange. What these dug-outs looked like will be shown by the ensuing photographs together with their comments: [Photographs omitted.]
In the course of the evacuation action we furthermore discovered that the Jews attempted more than ever to escape to foreign countries. These attempts were made by Jews in possession of considerable amounts of money, jewels, and of forged papers. They tried every means to effect their purpose and often approached members of the German and allied Forces with the request to transport them to or beyond the frontier by way of military cars. They offered in exchange dispropor-tionally high amounts, in many cases up to 5,000 Zl. and more a person. Although in a few cases members of foreign forces, especially Hungarians, came to an agreement with them and fulfilled their part, in by far the most cases the Security Police was informed in time by V-men so that the necessary countermeasures were applied, the Jews caught, and the valuables confiscated. By way of illustration some cases are described:
In September 1942 the office of the SS & Police Leader was informed by an Italian soldier (of German blood resident in Switzerland) that some Jews were concealed within the Italian barracks in Lwow, who were to be smuggled across the frontier by members of the Italian Forces within the next days. Shortly before they intended to start, two leaders in mufti entered the barracks and succeeded in arresting a group of seven persons and confiscating 3,200 gold dollars and a large amount of diamonds and jewels. They made the interesting discovery that already 970 gold dollars had been paid for bribing 4 members of the Italian Forces. This money was confiscated also. The Italian soldiers thereupon were sent home.
On 13 May 1943 two German Drivers of the Luftwaffe Headquarters in Cracow reported that a Jew had approached them with the request to transport about 20 to 30 Jews from the Jewish camp Lwow to Brody; some of them were in possession of arms; they would provide forged transport orders; directed to these military drivers. In exchange they offered 20,000 Zl. The drivers were ordered to accept the offers, to load the Jews on the Luftwaffe car the 15 May at 5 p.m., to start in the direction of Brody, but to turn the car as soon as it passed the office of NSKK Lwow which was situated at this street, and to drive into the court yard of this office. In fact the car, manned with 20 Jews and one Pole, arrived in this court yard at 5:30 p.m. The Jews, some of whom were armed with charged pistols and sawed-off carbines with the safety devices released, were over-
768
whelmed by a waiting detachment and disarmed. The following arms were confiscated:
1. IP. Beretta-pistol, Kal. pp
2. do.
9. further specifications.
The pistols, mentioned sub. 1. and 2. had been purchased by the Jews from members of the Italian Forces for 2,000 Zl. each. The names of the sellers could not be ascertained. After a diligent search, considerable valuables were found and confiscated. A diligent interrogation of the arrested Jews led to the discovery that a certain Jew by the name of Horowitz who was staying in the woods near Brody together with a larger group of Jews, used to organize such transports. As a result of this interrogation it was possible moreover to arrest those Jews who forged identity papers for fugitives. The Pole who was arrested at the same time, confessed to be a member of the Polish Resistance Movement "PPR". Furthermore he named the Jew Horowitz as the Chief Executive of the "PPR" in Lwow. The place of communication in the woods near Brody having been discovered by these interrogations, the whole of this wood area was surrounded and combed out by detachments of the Gendarmerie and of the Ukrainian Police, and two companies of the German Army on the same day. These forces met smaller forces of armed bandits who had established themselves in several furnished dug-outs and trenches dating from the Russian occupation. The bandits in all cases used their arms, but they all were overwhelmed and rendered harmless.
33 Jewish bandits were shot. Some sawed-off carbines and some quick-firing rifles and pistols of Russian make were confiscated. Polish game-keeper taking part in the combing-out action was shot dead by the bandits. During the arrests in Lwow, one SS-man was wounded by a shot into the left shank. The 2 German drivers were paid as recompense for their exemplary conduct 2,000 Zl. each. The forged marching-orders and transport orders found in possession of the Jews are reproduced below. [Transport order omitted.]
In the same way we succeeded on May 21, 1943 in destroying a Jewish gang who again were armed with 0.8 cal. pistols of Italian origin. (In the meantime all Italian soldiers left the district of Galicia.)
Only some days later, the 31 May, we succeeded again, during a new comb-out, in destroying 0 dug-outs of major size containing 139 Jewish bandits.
On June 2, 1943, again some Jews who attempted to escape
L— 18
to Hungary by means of a military car owned by the Hungarian Army, were arrested and, since they resisted, shot. Here again considerable values were confiscated. The Hungarian soldiers participating in the action were adequately rewarded.
The evacuation having been completed, nevertheless, still minor actions are necessary in order to track Jews in hiding and concealment. This is proved by the fact that every day some persons are caught in possession of forged identity cards and passes. Some forged identity cards, passes, marching orders, and leave passes are enclosed herewith. [Cards and photographs omitted.]
Since' we received more and more alarming reports on the Jews becoming armed in an ever increasing manner, we started during the last fortnight in June 1943 an action throughout the whole of the district of Galicia with the intent to use strongest measures to destroy the Jewish gangsterdom. Special measures were found necessary during the action to dissolve the Ghetto in Lwow where the dug-outs mentioned above had been established. Here we had to act brutally from the beginning, in order to avoid losses on our side; we had to blow up or to burn down several houses. On this occasion the surprising fact arose that we were able to catch about 20,000 Jews instead of 12,000 Jews who had registered. We had to pull at least 3,000 Jewish corpses out of every kind of hiding places; they had committed suicide by taking poison.
Our own losses suffered in these actions:
Spotted Fever: dead—1 man fallen ill: 120 men
Shot by Jews: dead—7 men wounded: 12 men
Stabbed by Jews: dead—1 man
Lost by accident in evacuation action: dead: 2 men, wounded: 5 men.
Despite the extraordinary burden heaped upon every single SS-Police Officer during these actions, mood and spirit of the men were extraordinarily good and praiseworthy from the first to the last day.
Only thanks to the sense of duty of every single leader and man have we succeeded to get rid of this PLAGUE in so short a time.
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