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Comments
on the Program
During
the study of the program [for fighting], which was on the
whole well received by the organization and taken seriously,
questions of fundamental importance were raised by some
groups. Some of these questions were based on doubts, and
derived from weakness and inadequate preparation for
the realities of the direct struggle.
Without
reference to the question of which groups had posed these
questions, the Command Staff considered it necessary to answer
these questions as follows:
A.
How will the F.P.O.
react in the event of a partial destruction of the ghetto?
B.
What should a single
fighter do if he remains alone in a battle without any
possibility of carrying on the battle alone?
C.
Should we not go to the
forest immediately?
D.
What is the aim of the battle (the ultimate goal)?
E.
Is there a necessity to hide in a maline?
Answers
A.
How will the F.P.O.
react in the event of a partial destruction?
1)
The F.P.O. will move out
into battle when the existence of the ghetto as a whole is
threatened.
2)
It may be that there will be various kinds of murder-Aktionen
of a local character or reprisals by the Gestapo for
"crimes," that may cost the lives of individuals, or
of tens or hundreds of Jews.
3)
It is our view that the life of every single Jew is worthy of
defense and must not be abandoned to the murderers without
resistance.
4)
The F.P.O., however, is not a large military force which can
enter into a battle of equals with the enemy, and it cannot
and will not come out in defense of each, single
Jewish life.
5)
The F.P.O., which is the spearhead of the remainder of the
Jewish Community (not only in Vilna) could, by premature
action, bring about its own premature destruction, leaving the
ghetto without any defense at all, without the F.P.O., the
only organization capable of fighting.
6)
This kind of action would be quixotic, a suicidal tactic.
Furthermore, Jews might condemn us as provocateurs, and this
might cause us to fight against our own brethren.
7)
But just as premature action would be irresponsible so action delayed
too long would be criminal.
8)
The F.P.O. will move out in such an Aktion when it is
estimated that the beginning of the end has come; at
that point it will no longer be a question of the numbers
involved in the Aktion.
9)
The Command Staff will decide when the time has come to
move into battle. It will judge the situation on the basis of
sources of information which are available and open to it.
10)
Our inadequate supply of arms justifies the fact that the
F.P.O. cannot go into action at all times. But our
inadequate arms cannot justify under any circumstances the
avoiding of fighting when the whole existence of the ghetto is
threatened.
When
total destruction threatens us we must come out to fight
whatever the position regarding weapons; we must come out even
if we have no arms and must fight with our bare hands.
-
What
shall a single fighter do if he remains alone in the
battle, after he has used up all his fighting
possibilities, without contact or prospects of continuing
to fight against overwhelming enemy forces?
11)
Where such a situation is the result of battle the
single
fighter
can and must retreat.
12)
In the event of there still being other fighting groups, the
individual must at all costs reach them and join them.
13)
If no other groups have survived, the individual should save
himself by whatever means possible at that time.
14)
Although prepared to fall in battle it
is not the F.P.O'.s aim to fall fighting for the last
positions in the ghetto.
15)
The aim of the F.P.O. is resistance as such, and not
the defense of the ghetto to the end.
16)
The aim of the F.P.O. is resistance, struggle and rescue. 17)
The above does not mean that anyone who observes the
unequal forces and the inadequate arms in his possession
should give up the battle from
the beginning.
18)
Avoidance of the battle while fighting is in progress, for
whatever reason (inadequate arms, lack of favorable prospects,
etc.) is treason.
C.
Should we not go to the
forest immediately?
19)
No. The wish to go to the forests now is evidence of failure
to understand the idea of the F.P.O.
20)
The principle of the Jewish Partisans Organization is
social and national, to organize the struggle of the Jews
and to defend our lives and our honor.
21)
To go to the forests at this time would mean the search for individual
security, individual escape, just as hiding in a maline
means search for individual security.
22)
We will go to the forests, but as a result of battle. When
we have carried out our purpose here, we will take with us as
great a number of Jews as possible, and continue our struggle
against the murdering occupier as part of the partisan
movement.
23)
It is only through battle, and as a result of our resistance,
that we shall be able to save large numbers of Jews.
This
is also a reply to Question D.
E.
Is there a necessity to hide in the maline?
-
No.
This question receives the same vigorous treatment as in
the orders: It is treason under all circumstances to go
to a maline.
The
Commander
April
4, 1943, Vilna Ghetto
Moreshet
Archives, D. 1.360.
*
Fareinikte Partizaner Organizatsie United Partisans
Organization.
**
See Document 209. |
