The recent revolt of the Jewish prisoners in the Treblinka “death camp” in Poland, during which a good part of the camp was burned down and many prisoners escaped, was made possible when an underground organization of young Jewish men and women within the camp succeeded in establishing contact with a band of Polish guerrillas who supplied them arms and ammunition, it was revealed here today in a report received by Polish Jewish circles.
One day early last month, Gestapo “death vans,” on which portable gas chambers were mounted, drove into the camp and a number of Jews were ordered to board them. The Jews refused and flung grenades, which they had hidden under their clothing, at the Nazi guards. This was the signal that had been agreed upon. Immediately the Jewish prisoners opened fire on the Germans from three sides. The guerrillas, hearing the gun-fire, broke into the camp and also attacked the guards.
During the battle, a number of Germans and many Jews were killed, while other Jews succeeded in fleeing after first destroying the “death vans.” The following day the Germans offered large rewards for information leading to the recapture of the fugitives. The report received today says that the story of the Treblinka revolt has spread all over occupied Poland where it is considered as daring as the battle in the Warsaw ghetto.
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.
