August 2, 1943
Prisoners Revolt at Treblinka
Historical context
On this day, August 2, 1943, Jewish prisoners at the Treblinka killing center seized weapons and tried to break out. USHMM records that more than 300 escaped; German forces later recaptured and killed about two-thirds of them.
Archive record
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- Date
- August 2, 1943
- Verified sources
- 1
- Archive threads
- 6
On this day, Jewish prisoners forced to work at the Treblinka killing center rose against the guards. A camp underground had formed earlier in 1943 as deportations slowed and the prisoners feared they would be murdered when the camp was dismantled. They obtained weapons from the armory, but SS men discovered the plot before the prisoners could take control. Hundreds then stormed the main gate. Many were killed by machine-gun fire.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum records that more than 300 prisoners escaped and that German SS, police, and military units later recaptured and killed about two-thirds of them. Remaining prisoners were forced to dismantle the camp and were then shot.
Research trail
Sources and further reading
- Treblinka: Key Dates · United States Holocaust Memorial Museum · Holocaust Encyclopedia View source
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