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700,000 Jews Are Still in German Hands, Gestapo Chief Himmler Announces in Berlin

February 20, 1945
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The Swiss radio today reported that Gestapo chief Heinrich Himmler has issued a statement in Berlin asserting that about 700,000 Jews are still alive in various sections of Europe ruled by Germany. The statement did not indicate whether Himmler’s data included half-Jews and quarter-Jews whom the Gestapo usually classifies as Jews.

The broadcast emphasized that the Swiss Government was to a large extent helpful in securing the release by the Gestapo of 1,200 Jews from the Nazi camp in Theresienstadt who recently arrived in Switzerland. It added that more transports of Jews released from German camps are expected to arrive on Swiss soil. “The Swiss Government is gladly giving smelter to the Jewish refugees until transport facilities enable them to find homes in other countries,” the broadcast declared.

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