Newsgroups: alt.revisionism Subject: Einsatzgruppen: Operational Situation Report: USSR No. 24 Followup-To: alt.revisionism Keywords: Einsatzgruppen, Daugavpils, Riga X-Remember: http://www.nizkor.org/ The Chief of the Security Police and the SD Berlin, July 16, 1941 33 copies --------------- (23rd copy) Einsatzgruppe A: Location: Riga EK 1b Location: Daugavpils Daugavpils was occupied by the German troops on July 6. The greater part of the town was burned down during the following 2-3 days. Only a relatively small part of the town was damaged through direct fighting. The fires on the days that followed were caused by arson. Before leaving the town, The Russians released a proclamation in which they ordered the town to be burned. The Jews are said to have participated in the burnings. 5 Jews were caught red-handed during the first 3 days and were immediately shot. Of the vital services, the electrical works are totally gutted by fire. Only the reservoirs and water towers of the waterworks are destroyed; thus a limited supply of water is available for the population. The water system is intact. The population, with the exception of a very few, had fled from the town. At present, there are approximately 8,000 persons in town again. The steady flow of returning inhabitants can be observed. The attitude of the Latvians is absolutely positive. They are solelyinterested in creating conditions in Daugavpils that will enable the population to renew the most vital services for normal life. So far, no political involvement has been observed. Activity and interest of the leading Latvians are absolutely guided by the conditions caused by the destruction of the town. The Latvians, including the leading activists, have been, so far, absolutely passive in their anti-semitic attitudes, not daring to take action against Jews. Until now, Dunaburg had about 45,000 inhabitants, 50% of whom were Jews. They ruled the town absolutely. As the Russians left, the Jews spread the rumor that the Russians would return soon. Thus, unlike the Lithuanians who had an active attitude, the Latvians are hesitatingly organizing and forming a front against the Jews. The Latvian population has been further weakened as the Russians, during the last fourteen days before the war's outbreak, deported about 500 Latvian families belonging to the intelligentsia to Central Russia. Since July 3, the Latvians have a town administration and an auxiliary police force. Both organizations headed by the former Latvian captain, Petersons. The auxiliary police force consists of former police constables, members of the former Latvian Amy, and members of the former ATZSARGI organization (Organization for Self Defense). The latter was founded during the Ulmanis dictatorship in 1934. Its individual members did not swear allegiance to him; so it is reported. Owing to the initiative of the EK (Einsatzkommando), the auxiliary police force at present consists of 240 men and has been strictly organized. New men are currently being enlisted. They help the EK as auxiliary police and are on duty in the 6 police districts established so far. Some members have been assigned to criminal police and security police work. By July 7 the Latvians arrested 1125 Jews, 32 political prisoners, 85 Russian workers, and 2 women criminals, the greater part during the last days. This is due to the EK backing the Latvians. Actions against the Jews are going on in an ever-increasing number. Conforming to a suggestion of the EK, the Jews are being evacuated by the auxiliary police force from all houses still standing. The apartments are being allocated to non-Jewish inhabitants. The Jewish families are being driven out of town by the Latvians; most of the men have been arrested. The food supply is inadequate as nearly all stocks were destroyed by fire. The arrested Jewish men are shot without ceremony and interred in previously prepared graves. Until now the EK 1b has shot 1150 Jews in Daugavpils. The advance units of EK 1a Sandberger are located in Pskov, Fellin, Pernau, and before Dorpat, EK 1b Ehrlinger is in Zilupe (Rosenhof) and Ostrov. In Riga, Einsatzkommando 2 sifted through the entire documentary materials, searched all offices, arrested the leading Communists as far as they could be found. These actions initiated against the Jews were headed by SS-Sturbannfuhrer Barth and were carried out in an exemplary manner. At present, 600 Communists and 2,000 Jews are under arrest. 400 Jews were killed during pogroms in Riga, since the arrival of EK 2; 300 by the Latvian auxiliary police and partly by our units. The prisons will be emptied completely during the next few days. Outside of Riga, within Latvia, an additional 1,600 Jews were liquidated by EK 2. The political considerations are still not clear. Various Latvian groups have finally come together. With German officials they try to commence their work, but so far, with no success. Clarification of these conditions would be highly desirable, as well as an indication of the expected directions of political developments. Because of the urgency of settling the economic questions, contact has been made with the higher SS and police leaders and the German Army. Agreement has been achieved.
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