Operational Situation Report USSR No. 157
(January 19, 1942)
The Chief of the Security Police and the Security Service
65 copies
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(57th copy)
Operational Situation Report USSR No. 157
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Einsatzgruppe D
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Location: Simferopol
General situation and mood
The mood was also influenced by the deportaion of Jews, Gypsies and
Krimchacks from the Crimea during the period under report. The unfounded
fear that the Germans would exterminate the entire population had
subsided entirely a few weeks after the occupation of the Crimea.
It was revived when the deportation of 12 - 13,000 Jews, Krimchaks
and Gypsies was started in the beginning of December. It surfaced
for the first time due to Bolshevik proaganda spread by Jewish refugees
and [German] soldiers' gossip; the Jews were convinced that they would
be shot and not deported, while the population was terrified of being
deported by the Germans. A few days after the deportations, calm set
in. While the population in the towns of Simferopol, Karasubasar,
and Mushta were quiet again, the Karaites in Yevpatoria are still
convinced that their turn has come now. On December 20, 1941, they
even delivered all the gold in their possession to the Teolkommando
leader, a large amount, as a sign of their loyalty. Obviously they
do so from fear and in the hope that this would prevent their deportation.
The deportation of the Jews, Krimchaks, and Gypsies, which is seen
almost without exception as the last deportation, is generally welcomed.
This again proves the general rejection of Jewry on the part of the
population, in the countryside as well as in the towns. The identical
treatment for Jews and Krimchaks is looked upon as natural because
the Krimchaks are generally regarded as Jews.
According to th experiences recorded to date, the majority of the
population knows, even if only vaguely, about recent developments
in the war situation in the Crimea and the rest of the eastern front.
In recent days, from time to time, there was a rumor that the Russians
are advancing toward Moscow and Rostov and that the German troops
in the Crimea are in danger. The effect, however, is not so much joy
as fear that with the return of the Russians, a new wave of liquidations
and deportations could occur. The Tartars, who freely offered their
services to the Germans, declared that they can only accept existence
under German protection. They rightly assume that they would be totally
exterminated if the Reds returned.
The fact that 7,000 Russian prisoners of war, taken during the occupation
of Feodosia, broke out and did not flee towards the landed Russian
troops but rather started marching almost unguarded towards the German
troops in order to reach Simferolpol indicates the extent of the rejection
of Bolshevism as well as indifference and rejection of the war among
other sectors of the population.
The Security and SD-work was intensified during the time covered
by the report, the aim being the final elimination of unreliable elements.
With special regard to the utilization of Tartars, the confidential
agents' network at Simferopol is ready for action. Individual resulta
are already at hand. Among others that were caught during the last
few days were Ivanov Ivanovich, friend and assistant to Mokrousov,
partisan-leader of the Crimea, at present employee of the town administration,
and Petchenko, one of the partisan leaders, who was staying in the
town.
Katchura, generally known throughout the Crimea to be a notorious
NKVD agent, having thousands of lives on his conscience, was last
seem in Simferopol.
Hazanov, party organizer and commander of an extermination battalion.
Vera Sergevner and her sister Maria, liason agents between Simferopol
and Mokrousov.
Exdorf, head of police district 6, a Jew with false papers, a member
of an extermination battalion.
685 Jews, 1,639 partisans and Communists were shot between January
1 and 15, for a total of 80,160. The fight against partisans was primarily
conducted by intelligence work during the time covered by the report.
Where troops and armed Tartars were available, actions were undertaken,
the Kommandos supplying data and leadership. Tdraktash near Sudak
was attacked by 80-90 partsans and isolated Soviet soldiers. The Tartar
Sef-Defense Company which had already been organized was mobilized
by Sonderkommando 10b. The results: 50 prisoners, 10 dead, one heavy
machine-gun, five rifles, ammunition, and other material was captured.
One Tartar was wounded. The Tattar Self-Defense Company stood the
test very well. Four partisans were killed and one taken prisoner
by Kommando 11b in the course of reconnonitering near Alushta.
(The
Einsatzgruppen Reports by Yitzak Arad, Shmuel Krakowski and
Shmuel Spector, editors. p. 284-86)
Source: The
Nizkor Project
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