Pomoc Żydom w regionie białostockim podczas II wojny światowej

Abstract

The attempts to help Jews in this region engaged representatives of all social groups, but the most efficient and widespread was the involvement of peasants. One of the forms of help to the inhabitants of the Ghetto was the supply of food. In Białystok, where the food was most difficult to obtain, partnerships were formed to smuggle food products into the Ghetto. Due to the illegal trading of food, in the Białystok Ghetto fewer cases of death by starvation and malnutrition occurred. Attempts to help Jews caused victims. There were cases of shooting by the Germans of people who supplied food to Ghettoes. Help in other way also had sometimes tragic consequences. Czesław Sawicki, from the Home Army document validation section which produced false documents for the hiding Jews, was arrested and shot, and with him 24 persons from his family. Jewish refugees from the Ghetto, both civilians and those who joined the partisan groups, received food supplies foom local people. Also Catholic clergy helped to provide shelter for Jews. The study concerning the extent of help was undertaken by the Regional Commission for Study of Nazi Crimes in Białystok in 1986. The research was limited to a few rural districts and only some towns. Only documented or proved cases were studied. Poles and Belorussians who extended help represented various social groups. There were different motifs. Illegal food trade with the Ghettoes was for producers and smugglers a source of significant income. The hiding of refugees from the Ghettoes and transports was usually quite unselfish, either based on previous acquintance, or resulting from humanitarian motifs. According to the still incomplete results of the research it appears that 35 Poles lost their lives for helping Jews. 420 persons were given shelter although not all cases of hiding ended happily. 281 facts of help have been established. Ususally this help concerned food supplies. These data are incomplete and require further research.