Operational Situation Report USSR No. 157
The Chief of the Security Police and the SD Berlin,
January
19, 1942
65 copies
57th copy
Einsatzgruppe D
Location: Simferopol
General situation and mood
The mood was also influenced by the deportation 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
propaganda 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 the 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 Simferopol indicates the extent of the rejection of Bolshevism as
well as indifference and rejection of the war among other sectors of the
population.
Executions
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
partisans and isolated Soviet soldiers.
The Tartar self-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 Tartar Self-Defense
Company stood the test very well. Four partisans were killed and one taken
prisoner by Kommando 11b in the course of reconnoitering near Alushta.
Sources: NARA Translations by Hermann Feuer Copyright: H.E.A.R.T 2008 |