Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Jews Mobbed in Streets of Bratislava Following Allied Raid on Slovak Capital

July 5, 1944
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Jews were mobbed in the streets of Bratislava, the capital of the Nazi puppet state of Slovakia, following a recent Allied air-raid on the city, it is disclosed in Slovak newspapers reaching here today.

Following the attacks on the Jews, the latter were rounded-up by the police and set to forced labor clearing the streets of the debris left by the Allied bombers. From the newspaper accounts, it appears that the crowds were egged on by members of the fascist Hlinka Guard organization.

One paper quotes Santo Mach, Slovakian Minister of the Interior responsible for execution of the anti-Jewish measures, as stating that “the people who attacked the Jews knew who was responsible. It is easy to imagine what would have happened had not the police interfered and taken the Jews to work in the afflicted quarters. We must not allow acts of vengeance, but we cannot keep silent concerning the way the people feel.”

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement