Nazi Reactions to the Przytyk Pogrom (1936-1942)

The paper discusses the Nazi reactions to the Przytyk Pogrom (1936) in order to provide new aspects to the ways Nazi authorities prepared and implemented their policies towards the Jews. The Przytyk Pogrom was the most infamous pogrom in interwar Poland. Studies have discussed the pogrom only within the context of its importance to Jewish-Polish relations before WWII. Based on testimonies of Jews and Poles, contemporary newspapers, and civil administration and SS documents the paper discusses three forms of Nazi reactions:

1. Nazi activities in Poland before the War: Since 1935, the propaganda office in Berlin financed Nazi organizations in Poland. In 1938 they sent a Volkdeutsche painter to the small town of Przytyk as a spy. These activities shed light on Nazi pre-war preparations.
2. Agitating the Poles against the Jews (1939-1940): At the beginning of the War, Jews and Poles cooperated against the German invader. Nazi authorities tried to separate the two groups by reminding the Poles about the Przytyk Pogrom. In Przytyk they asked the Poles to loot Jewish stores, elsewhere they published articles in the Polish press.
3. The pogrom and the preparations for the `Final Solution`: At the end of January 1942 the General Government authorities demanded the Radom Judenrat to provide information about Przytyk Jews. In June 1942 prior to sending Radom district Jews to Treblinka, The SS arrested and sent to Auschwitz all potential Jewish leaders who could lead resistance. These included 3 Jews from Przytyk, related to the resistance organization there.