Extermination of Jews from Wielkie Oczy

1940

"One sweltering day a couple of cars with German gendarmerie and civil clerks arrived, among them were some women. There was an awful fear at the unknown of what was to come. The Germans passed every Jewish house and rounded up all the Jews, bringing them to the town market. Everyone was allowed to take along only what could be carried in hand. This aktion lasted from morning until late afternoon. All Jewish houses were immediately sealed. When the Jews had been expelled from their homes farm wagons were brought around. The old, infirm and others who weren't able to walk were carried on the wagons. The others were driven like cattle, kicked and beaten, to the ghetto in Krakowiec, 7 kilometers away from Wielkie Oczy. On the way, those who could not keep the pace were beaten with extraordinary cruelty by a helper of Ukrainian police, a mute from village of Horysznie, named Iya who was armed with a club. He wielded his club like an animal, with no mercy and with complete indifference to whether his blows struck old women or children. In this way, the Jews were moved to the Krakowiec ghetto."

The report of the German Land Commissioner addressed to the county authorities in Lwów, dated 12 June 1942, described these events in a dry, perfunctory manner:

"On 10 June 1942 Jews living in Wielkie Oczy were resettled by me with your permission, as follows: 47 families - 168 persons to Krakowiec and 74 families - 274 persons to Jaworów. Resettling of Jews proceeded without incident. About 100 Jews escaped to the woods surrounding Wielkie Oczy. The mayor of the town and the Ukrainian police were instructed by me to gather these Jews and attach them to their families in Krakowiec and Jaworów. Resettling of old Jews and Jewish children and transport of accompanying luggage was accomplished with 31 carts. Owing to the resettlement of Jews, 96 houses in Wielkie Oczy became vacant. Of these, 70-80% are in relatively good condition. 

On my recommendation, on 11 June 1942, 32 families that were moved from the firing range near Jaworów, were transferred to Wielkie Oczy. On 13 June an additional 35 Aryan families were settled,  followed by 10-15 families on the 15^th.

In this way all the houses in Wielkie Oczy that were formerly settled by Jewish families were occupied by Aryan resettlers. These houses have little gardens that for most are already sown with vegetables. Additionally, Aryan resettlers have at their disposal 50 morga [old unit of land measure equal to 5,600 m²] of land to cultivate.

Those families that were moved from the firing ground will receive buckwheat next week to sow in the fields of Wielkie Oczy that still lie fallow."

To see the original German document, click here:   

1944

1945