State Historical Society of Iowa

Telegram from Gerhart Riegner to S.S. Silverman about Jewish Extermination in Concentration Camps, August 10, 1942

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Courtesy of The National Archives (United Kingdom),Riegner, Gerhart, "Riegner Telegram," 10 August 1942

Description

This telegram, stored in the United Kingdom's National Archives, is from Gerhart Riegner to S.S. Silverman, both members of the World Jewish Congress. The focus of the telegram is rumors that the Nazis are rounding up and deporting millions of Jewish people to exterminate them in concentration camps.

Transcript of a Telegram from Gerhart Riegner to S.S. Silverman about Jewish Extermination in Concentration Camps

Source Dependent Questions

  • In three to five sentences, describe the plan of the Nazis regarding Jewish people according to this source.
  • How many Jews does the document estimate will be exterminated? What are some of the specific methods of execution being discussed?
  • This telegram was sent between two members of the World Jewish Congress. This organization advocated on behalf of Jews across the world. Why would it be important for the World Jewish Congress to know about what was being planned?
  • Consider your knowledge of world history. This telegram refers to an informant when outlining the plan of the Nazis. How accurate was the information?

Citation Information

Riegner, Gerhart, "Riegner Telegram," 10 August 1942. Courtesy of The National Archives (United Kingdom) Courtesy of Library of Congress