Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

French Police Warned in Bbc Broadcast Not to Participate in Persecution of Jews

September 19, 1943
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

French police were warned today not to participate in the persecution of the Jews on pain of death after France is liberated.

In a French-language broadcast on the BBC, in which details of the deportation of French Jews to Poland from an internment camp in the Loiret Department, were given, the police were told that “great hatred is growing against you for your helping the Germans. It is for you to demonstrate your patriotism. Otherwise when ‘the day’ comes there cannot be any pity for you. You should know that your life depends on your attitude.”

The broadcast said that recently police participated in loading hundreds of Jews confined in the Bon La Holland camp into freight cars, which were transported to Poland. Sixty persons were crowded into each car, which was then sealed. Only 200 litres of water and a small amount of food was allotted to each car for the two-week journey. A doctor who was present at the deportations is reported to have stated that twenty-five percent of the deportees would either be dead or insane before their arrival in Poland.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement