Murder Story of Krzywicze Jews at the Vyhan in Krzywicze

Those being led to their final destination continued on their way, abandoned to their fate and forgotten by both God and man. The first rows in the moving line were already squishing through the swampy clay and mud, the soil of the vyhan, about to be swallowed up. The middle and the end of the line were still walking through the streets of the town. The front section of the line was ordered to stop at a deserted barn at the edge of a path that led nowhere. It was a dilapidated wooden building that stood at a distance of 100 meters from Kotlianka, a dirty stream that collected rainwater and filth. This was the destination of all those who were walking…. The end of the line had not yet arrived at that spot when the Germans started barking orders for people to hand over gold and silver, and anything else of value. No one responded…. More than that, a feverish movement began within the column. Those who carried money of any denomination – Polish zlotys, Soviet chervontsy and rubles – tore them into shreds, threw them to the winds, and tossed their coins into the swampy clay and mud, so that the Germans and their henchmen would not profit from them…. Immediately afterward, the order rang out: 'Take off your clothes! Disrobe! Fold your clothes in an orderly manner!' They used the butts of their rifles, rubber truncheons, belts, whips, and any tool they could lay hands on to mercilessly beat women, children, and elderly people, those clothed and those without clothing. In groups, the Jews were beaten mercilessly, as the armed guards pushed them into the dilapidated barn. While they were doing this to the first rows, additional rows of people kept arriving, and they received similar treatment. … Then, all of a sudden, something happened that frightened and astonished the murderers. From inside the burning building, there emerged someone completely enveloped in flames, like a torch. He violently grabbed a machine gun from an SS man and shot him dead. For several seconds, he fired volleys in all directions, yelling: 'Even the tenth generation will avenge our blood! Let my soul die with my enemies! Shma Yisrael!' As he was firing, they shot him, and he fell....