Some of those few who escaped or went into hiding used their freedom to fight back.

by Rabbi Eliahu Ellis & Rabbi Shmuel Silinsky

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Partisans

Group of Jewish Partisans In The Rudniki Forest
photo courtesy of Yad Vashem

 

Some Jews managed to flee, escape, or otherwise hide from the Nazis. Some took to the woods, and were among the founders of the "partisan" movements, the guerrillas fighting against the Germans from the woods. The Germans did not have endless forces, and they could not go into all the forests to flush everyone out. Certain areas were simply left cordoned off.

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Kovno Partisans

Jewish Partisans From Kovno
photo courtesy of Yad Vashem

The biggest problem for the Jewish underground was that they did not get Allied support like other nationalist groups. Those groups were getting money, weapons and supplies flown in. In addition, the Jews were not only fighting the Germans, but they were also fighting the locals. There were wild gangs who swore that they would kill any Germans they found...

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Partisans Marching

Partisans Marching Through Swamps
photo courtesy of Yad Vashem

 

 

 

 

and also any Jews. The Jewish resistance was fighting on both ends.

Published: Wednesday, December 31, 1969

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Visitor Comments: 4

  • (4) shannon , February 4, 2008

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  • (3) stephanie .R. , May 18, 2007

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  • (1) Veronica Farinas , May 20, 2002

    thankyou

    i would like to thank you for making this holocaust studies site. i am now learning about the Holocaust in school and all the terrible situations in it. A project was assigned to us to get pictures on the HOlocaust. Although it is very hard for me to see, i am finding all of my answers here. i appreciate it very much. thankyou for yor interest and for taking the time to read my e-mail. thankyou!

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