Chernovtsy (Czernowitz) was part of Romania (Cernauti) at the start of the war. In June, 1940, it was incorporated into the Soviet Union. In June, 1941, the city was evacuated by the Soviets, and by October, all the Jews (over 50,000) were confined to a small ghetto. The Germans arrived on July 5, and it is estimated that 2,000 to 3,000 Jews were killed within 24 hours. In October, 1941, the Jews were concentrated in a ghetto, and all their property was confiscated. Over 30,000 Jews were ultimately deported to Transnistria, and it is estimated that 60% of these deportees died there. In October, 1943, restrictions on Jewish movement were abolished, and the swift liberation by Soviet forces in early 1944 saved the 15,000 Jews remaining in the city.
Below is a thumbnail of the front and back of a Soviet ID Card dated May, 1944, issued to Agnes Salomon who was freed by the Soviet army at Chernovtsy.
Encyclopedia Judaica, CD-Rom Edition, Keter Publishing
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Copyright © 2003 Edward Victor