Dubrivka | Zhytomyr

Execution of Jews in Dubrivka

1 Execution site(s)

Kind of place before:: Fields near the river
Memorials:: No
Period of occupation:: 1941-1943
Witnesses interviewed:: 46

Witness interview

Nelia B., born in 1933, says: “They also brought an old woman named Pesia. She slapped the German in the face, so he shot her three times into the ditch.” (Testimony n°1650, interviewed in Dubrivka on April 29, 2013)

Historical note

Dubrivka is located on the banks of the Smolka river, 97km west of Zhytomyr. The first records of the village date back to 1585. The first Jews might have settled down in the village in the middle of the 19^th century. Many Jews were involved in the porcelain industry which had developed during the second half of the 18th century. Other Jews lived off small trade and handcraftsmanship. In 1929, at beginning of collectivization, a kolkhoz, named after Lenin, was created. In 1931 there were already four kolkhozes in the village. The village was occupied on July 13, 1941.

Holocaust by bullets in figures

For one month after the Germans arrival the Jews continued to live in their homes. In August, they were all rounded up, most likely by local police and Germans, and taken to the river where a pit had already been dug. Then, according to the accounts by local eyewitness, they were taken in groups of twos and placed at the edge of the pit. 46 Jews were murdered using this method. In all, the Germans shot 50 villagers of Jewish heritage, of which 16 were children. The youth were forcibly removed to perform hard labor.

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