Fearing an Allied landing in France, the German occupational authorities are now rounding up large numbers of Jews throughout the country in a manner which is provoking indignation even among high officials of the Vichy government, it was reported here today. Hundreds of Jews have “disappeared” without anybody knowing their whereabouts or what happened to them, the report says. Jews are afraid to leave their homes because they may be arrested in the street and sent to camps without even being allowed to inform their families of their detainment.
The Gestapo, the report continues, follows up the seizures by confiscating the possessions of those arrested. It is estimated that Jewish property worth twenty million francs has been confiscated by the Gestapo since the raids on Jewish homes were resumed recently. Among the arrested are outstanding leaders of Jewish organizations. The victims are all being deported to unknown destinations.
Many Jews who reside in the part of France occupied by Italian forces are trying to cross into Italy together with returning Italian troops. In most cases these attempts end tragically, since the frontiers are well guarded, the report says.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.