1 Execution site(s)
Lev G.: "Jews were forced out of their houses by the Germans and had to lie down in front of them. They were separated: younger Jews on one side (they were exploited for one month and then killed), all others on the other side. The latter were executed the same day in the antitank ditch." (Witnesses N°20, interviewed in Borovukha I, on March 24, 2008)
"After the beginning of the occupation, a German commando unit arrested the Jewish families from Borovukha I and nearby villages. They forced their way into Jewish houses and took all the Jews to some military barracks. The next day, the Germans took all the men and women (without the children) to an antitank ditch, to the north of Borovukha I. They were shot there. In total, around 116 people were shot." [Deposition of Testimony of Ilya N., Belarusian inhabitant of Borovukha (made on March 10, 1945); RG-22.002M/7021-92/220]
Circa. 6,400 Jews lived in Polotsk in 1939, and around 620 near the military settlement in Borovukha I. The village is located 15km northwest of Polotsk. Borovukha is divided into two parts: Borovukha I and Borovukha II.
When the Germans arrived, the Jews from Borovukha I were forced to wear a white star on their clothes. In October 1941, they were all gathered in some military barracks. The first shooting took place two days later. 50 Jews were killed in an antitank ditch. The liquidation of the temporary ghetto was conducted by a punitive squad on January 13, 1942. 65 Jews, including 40 children, were shot in a former tank training ground. There was also a Dulag (POW camp) in Borovukha I.
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