Children’s transport Vught –
Westerbork – Sobibor, 5 – 8 June 1943
Proclamation by the
“Kampleiding” of Camp Vught on 5 June 1943
To all Inmates of the Camp,
It is with our deepest regret that we must inform you about a horrendous
misfortune that has befallen us. On high command from elsewhere, all children
aged between 0 and ca.16 years must leave the Camp, to be housed, we were told,
in a special Children’s Camp.
The terms of the order are set as follows:
Exempted can be only:
Because we are fully aware of how deeply this terrible blow has hit us,
and that the grief that affects us all will be hard to overcome, the
Kommandantur will maintain order and calm in the Camp. We ask you to therefore
kindly keep order and to remain calm so far as is possible, so that we will be
spared from the risk of even more serious evil from harsh SS orders.
We will do everything we are capable of, up to and until the last
moment, to try and save as many as can yet be saved.
We do not want to keep you unaware of the fact that this concerns about
3,000 people, who will leave the Camp in two transports, next Sunday and
Monday. Every one of you should await their call.
Finally we inform you that there is good hope that the children will be
housed within this country, and the parents can return, if they so desire.
Because of this awful situation, we order that everyone in the Jewish
camp shall observe a mourning period of 8 days, and declare all amusements
forbidden until Saturday 12 June, 5 o’clock in the afternoon.
Vught, 5 June 1943,
The
Kampleiding
Signed,
R.
Süsskind A.
Lehmann