Transport, Train Da 56 from Hamburg, Hansestadt Hamburg (Hamburg), Hansa City of Hamburg, Germany to Minsk, Ghetto, Belorussia (USSR) on 18/11/1941

The first and second deportations from Hamburg had left the Reich for Lodz and Minsk on October 25 and November 8, 1941. This third transport was destined for Minsk again.
As in the case of the previous transports, the building of the former Masonic Lodge on Moorweidenstrasse served as assembly site. The guidelines allowed the deportees to bring 50 kg of luggage and 50 Reichsmarks. They had to fill out a detailed inventory of their property and deliver their apartment keys to the nearest police station before reporting to the assembly site. Upon arrival at the Lodge, the Jews had to hand over the declaration of assets and all of their remaining money (including the before-mentioned 50 Reichsmarks). Their luggage was searched for valuables, papers were invalidated and they were interned overnight in the basement of the building under poor sanitary conditions. Throughout their stay in the site, Jews were abused by the guards.
The dire situation and the constant humiliation in the assembly site created a gloomy atmosphere. A woman, who served as a helper onsite when she was 16 years old, later remembered:...