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30,000 Dumped in ‘reservation’

January 2, 1940
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More than 30,000 Jews have been dumped into the Jewish “reservation” in the Lublin area of Nazi Poland, it was reported by newly arrived refugees from that territory. Of this number, 12,000 have come from the Old Reich, 3,000 from Austria, 4,000 from Bohemia-Moravia and 10,000 from Polish areas, including 7,000 from Kalisz, 2,000 from Sieradz, Koin, Kolo and Unijow, and 1,000 from the Suwalki region.

According to the arrivals, the “reservation” embraces the districts of Lublin, Chelm, Grubiezow and Wlodawa, but the majority of the deportees are brought to the city of Lublin. Each is allowed to have 25 marks and 25 kilograms of luggage. The deportees are put off the trains during the night. Often the trains are stopped in the fields between two stations and the passengers are ordered off and told to find their way, in the intense cold and darkness, to some settlement.

There is none to assist the deportees, no arrangements for their reception, no organized help of any kind, no housing accommodations and no food stations. The completely ruined and plundered Jewish community of Lublin is unable to do anything for the new arrivals.

The more fortunate of the deportees are taken into congested Jewish flats, which frequently shelter as many as ten families. There is no bedding. Hundreds sleep in synagogues where no services have been held for more than three months.

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