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Nazi Commander Orders Jews in Occupied France to Don Yellow Badges

June 2, 1942
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An order forbidding all Jews in occupied France to appear in the street after June 7 without a yellow Mogen David sewn on the left side of their outer garments, was posted today throughout the occupied territory, signed by General von Stulpnagel, commander of the German military forces in France.

The order specifies that the yellow badge must be worn by all persons over six years old. It must be the size of a hand and is to have a black border. The word “Jew” must be inscribed in black across the face of the yellow star. Violations will be punished by fines and imprisonment, including confinement in a concentration camp.

An announcement that Jews will be forced to wear a yellow badge was made last week by Louis Darquier de Pellepoix, French Commissioner for Jewish Affairs. Today’s order instructs the Jews to apply to their local police stations for the yellow insignias and to surrender one coupon in their clothing ration book in exchange for the Mogen David.

The Paris radio today took the occasion to blame the Jews for the food riots which took place in Paris yesterday in which two policemen were killed. “It is true that the Jews did not participate in these riots, but it is obvious that they instigated them,” the Nazi broadcaster stated. He expressed satisfaction over the fact that Jews will have to wear yellow stars “so that now we will be able to distinguish them on the streets.”

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