Historical Context
Events Chronicle
February 1943
End of the “Quiet period”. In February 1943, the Nazi administration decided to begin the liquidation of the ghettos. First this was accomplished in Svyriai and Ašmena countries attached to the General Region of Lithuania. In March 1943, the ghettos in Švenčionys, Mikailiškiai, Ašmena and Salos were liquidated. About 3,000 inmates of these ghettos were moved to the Vilnius Ghetto and existing labour camps in Lithuania. The rest were told they would be taken to the Kaunas Ghetto.
5 April 1943, a train with the Jews halted in Paneriai. Here the Jews were detrained and shot to death in Paneriai forest. Lithuanian policemen also participated in the shooting of the Jews. A total of about 4,000–5,000 Jews were killed. Only a few managed to escape and reach the Vilnius Ghetto.
End of the “Quiet period”. In February 1943, the Nazi administration decided to begin the liquidation of the ghettos. First this was accomplished in Svyriai and Ašmena countries attached to the General Region of Lithuania. In March 1943, the ghettos in Švenčionys, Mikailiškiai, Ašmena and Salos were liquidated. About 3,000 inmates of these ghettos were moved to the Vilnius Ghetto and existing labour camps in Lithuania. The rest were told they would be taken to the Kaunas Ghetto.
5 April 1943, a train with the Jews halted in Paneriai. Here the Jews were detrained and shot to death in Paneriai forest. Lithuanian policemen also participated in the shooting of the Jews. A total of about 4,000–5,000 Jews were killed. Only a few managed to escape and reach the Vilnius Ghetto.