May 21, 1942
First Roundup Begins in the Chełm Ghetto
Historical context
On this day, May 21, 1942, the eve of Shavuot, the first roundup of Jews in the Chełm ghetto began. The Aktion lasted through May 23.
Archive record
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- Date
- May 21, 1942
- Verified sources
- 1
- Archive threads
- 5
On this day, the eve of Shavuot, the first roundup of Jews in the Chełm ghetto began. Yad Vashem records that Germans had first ordered able-bodied men to clean attics and cellars, then held them under guard until the Gestapo arrived. The Aktion lasted through 23 May.
About 4,300 Jews were deported to Sobibor during this wave, including local Jews and people recently sent from Slovakia. Warsaw underground reports said about 200 were shot in the ghetto. Further deportations from Chełm followed later in 1942.
Research trail
Sources and further reading
- The Destruction of the Chełm Jewish Community · Yad Vashem · Communities View source
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