This day in Jewish history / Polish neighbors slaughter the Jews of Jedwabne

July 10, 1941, is the date of the massacre carried out against the Jewish population of Jedwabne, Poland, by their Polish neighbors.

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Soviet occupation of Jedwabne was followed by that of the Germans, after the June 22, 1941, Nazi invasion of the USSR. A wave of anti-Jewish sentiment swept the region, due to the belief that Jews had cooperated with and benefited from the Soviet invaders.

Less than three weeks after the arrival of the Germans, on July 10, the mayor of Jedwabne, Marian Karolak, and the German gendarmerie gave the orders for the roundup of the town’s Jews. These included both Jewish residents of Jedwabne and those from surrounding towns who had sought refuge there.

One group of Jews was taken to a barn that had been emptied out for the purpose, and murdered there and immediately buried. Later in the day, a second group was brought to the same barn and burned to death.

more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/this-day-in-jewish-history/this-day-in-jewish-history-their-polish-neighbors-slaughter-the-jews-of-jedwabne.premium-1.534947