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Koenigsberg Jews Slated for Expulsion;stettin Deportees Put at 1,500

February 19, 1940
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The Nazi authorities have decided to expel the Jews from Koenigsberg, following the removal of the Jewish population of Stettin, it was reported here today in what was described as a move to clear all Jews out of the Reich’s Baltic area.

Further details received here regarding the deportation from Stettin said that men, women, children and even the inmates of the local Jewish home for the aged were piled on a cattle train to be shipped to an unknown destination. Some veterans of the last war were among those expelled. Those too old or sick to walk had to be carried to the train by others.

Reports from Stockholm said the total number expelled from Stettin was 1,500. (First reports put the number at 900.) Nazi storm troopers visited Jewish homes on two successive nights, told the occupants to prepare to leave, forced them to file inventories of their possessions and then confiscated all valuables after requiring them to sign statements renouncing this property.

The expulsion took place at three o’clock on a bitterly cold morning. Two storm troopers called at every Jewish house to see that the deportees took no silverware or other valuables. They were permitted to take only a small valise each containing necessary articles. Bank accounts were confiscated.

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