- Dates
- 3–4 Nov. 1943
- Region
- Lublin District
- Victims
- About 42,000–43,000 Jews
- Sites
- Majdanek, Trawniki, Poniatowa
The final phase of Operation Reinhard
Erntefest destroyed much of the remaining Jewish forced-labor population in the Lublin District after the major deportation campaigns and prisoner revolts at Treblinka and Sobibór.
Orders and organization
Heinrich Himmler ordered the destruction of the remaining Jewish labor population. Jakob Sporrenberg coordinated implementation with SS, police and Trawniki-trained guards.
November 3
Prisoners at Majdanek, Trawniki and associated sites were surrounded, moved to prepared trenches and shot. Loud music was played at some sites to mask gunfire.
November 4
The killing continued principally at Poniatowa. Temporary exploitation as laborers had never meant exemption from the murder program.
Victim totals and evidence
Institutional estimates generally place the number murdered at about 42,000–43,000. Totals vary slightly depending on which associated sites and actions are included.
Historical significance
Erntefest marked the final major massacre associated with Operation Reinhard and links the histories of forced labor, Warsaw deportees, Trawniki auxiliaries and camp liquidation.
Sources
This page draws on the institutional sources listed below.