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Vilna Ghetto
Vilna Ghetto
By August 1941, it was decided that a ghetto would need to be constructed in Vilna. Subsequently, thousands of Jews were murdered during an event called "The Great Provocation." By September, approximately 30,000 Jews were forced onto Ghetto I and 11,000 onto Ghetto II. Deportations began almost immediately. By October 21st, Ghetto II had been entirely liquidated. Towards the end of December, only 20,000 Jews remained in Vilna.
Uprising
Uprising
The underground movement known as the FPO (United Partisan Organization) began to prepare for an armed uprising in the event that the Vilna Ghetto would be liquidated. The FPO had around 300 members at its peak. During this time, members of the underground continued to risk their lives by smuggling weapons, building explosives, and training for an attack. The FPO encouraged the idea of resistance in the Bialystok and Warsaw Ghetto by sending ghetto girls (see Ghetto Girls) to spread awareness. Another underground organization in Vilna, Yechiel's Struggle Group, joined forces with the FPO in May 1943.
They shall not take us like sheep to the slaughter!
-Abba Kovner, Commander of the FPO
Jacob Gens, the head of the Jewish Police in Vilna, ordered a weapons search due to his rising concern about the ghetto's survival. During this time, Gens arrested Josef Glazman, a commander of the FPO. In response, FPO members attacked the Jewish police who had been in the process of transporting Glazman to the Rzesza camp. While the initial uprising was small, it proved to the Vilna Ghetto population that an organized attack against the police could be possible. Unfortunately, many members of the underground began to abandon hopes of resistance and headed for the forests. By September 1943, the entire ghetto had been liquidated.
Jacob Gens, Chief of Police in the Vilna Ghetto
Josef Glazman, Commander of the FPO
Impact
Impact
While the Vilna Ghetto Uprising is often overlooked, it is still very important to discuss. The underground faced many challenges and were often resisted by Nazi forces, but they continued to battle through adversity. Even as a smaller act of rebellion, the Vilna Ghetto Uprising inspired underground movements across Nazi-occupied Europe. Vilna teaches us to take a stand, even against impossible odds.
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