who lived nearby out of their homes and ordered them to put out the fire.
The Germans even participated actively in that operation themselves. But
it was to no avail, as the fire was raging with such intensity that nothing
could be salvaged. Now there is no trace of the synagogue. The charred ruins
were dismantled to obtain bricks.⁸⁵⁶ But the worst plague was the introduction
of compulsory labour for the Jews, who were also mercilessly tortured
while at work. The worst work detail in that respect was the construction
of the bridges. (The Jews also worked on agricultural estates, in barracks, at
the railway station, and for the municipal board.) For instance, whenever
a cart rolled over, the horses were unharnessed and the Jews had to push
the cart. Considering that a part of the bridge had collapsed and there was
a large indentation in the middle, one can easily guess how much energy
was needed to perform that useless work. Moreover, [2] the guarding soldiers
often amused themselves by throwing Jews from the bridge, which was
quite high, into the river. Stunned by the fall, those poor souls scrambled out
of the water only to be pushed back in. The guards would amuse themselves
at the expense of one and the same victim several times. Luckily, the Labour
Office, established by the Ältestenrat following the authorities’ wishes,⁸⁵⁷ very
often intervened with regard to that matter and one needs to admit that those
interventions were not ineffective.
November brought one more casualty. Several rifle bullets were found at
[the home of] a certain Sywosz.⁸⁵⁸ The man was shot on the market square.
The hostages⁸⁵⁹ and all the prisoners had to be present at the execution.
In early September, a rumour began to spread in the town regarding
a planned resettlement, and therefore a number of Jews left the town. They
856 Author’s remark: “The smaller synagogue (bet hamidrash) was made the Sammelpunkt [German, gathering point] for the Poles captured for forced labour in Germany, for the deported Jews, and other similar purposes.”
857 Author’s remark: “Other members of the Office included: Wrona, Neuman, Borkowski, Lissek, Borensztajn, and Frenkiel. It provided a few hundred labourers to the Germans every day.”
858 Author’s remark: “Sywosz did not know that the bullets were there. Before the war, his son, who was on active military service, brought a few, put them somewhere, and forgot about them.”
859 Author’s remark: “Every day four hostages were arrested: two Jews and two Poles. After 24 hours they were released and another two were arrested to replace them.”
