July 1941: Killings begin at Ponary, south of Vilna

Jewish victims were taken by foot, in motor vehicles, and by train to Ponary, where they were led in groups of hundreds and thousands to enormous pits. The victims were marched through a circular entrance at the construction site of a fuel depot. They could not see where they were being taken, because their upper garments were pulled over their heads as they marched. Having reached the pits, they were shot by SS men and German police, with collaboration from Lithuanians.

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