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  5. Deportation of Jews from Łazy, Poland, 16 June 1942

Deportation of Jews from Łazy, Poland, 16 June 1942

Łazy was a mining town of approximately 1,500 residents close to Katowice, Poland. The Jews were approximately one-sixth of the town’s population. At the end of 1940 and the beginning of 1941, Jews began reaching Łazy from the areas of Western Poland annexed to the German Reich. On 16 June 1942, most of the Jews of Łazy were deported to Auschwitz.

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Deportation of Jews from Łazy, Poland, June, 16, 1942

Łazy was a mining town of some 1,500 residents close to Katowice, Poland. The Jews constituted approximately one-sixth of the town’s population, most of them working in trade.

In late 1940 and early 1941, Jews began reaching Łazy from the areas of Western Poland annexed to the German Reich. In 1941, there were 363 Jews in Łazy.

In March 1941, Himmler decided to exploit Jewish labor in the area in "Organization Schmelt" camps.  "Organization Schmelt" was a program of forced labor first imposed upon the Jews of Eastern Upper Silesia and later extended to other areas. "Organization Schmelt" began establishing forced labor camps for Jews in 1940. One of the camps was established in Łazy. 

On 16 June 1942, most of the Jews of Łazy were deported to Auschwitz. Jews from other nearby villages were also deported with them. This photograph was taken at the deportation.  A few of Łazy’s Jews – those not deported to Auschwitz - were deported to labor camps in Bedzin and Sosnowiec.

Yad Vashem Photo Archives 757/1