Mass executions in Rudzki Most near Tuchola

Mass executions in Rudzki Most near Tuchola took place in autumn 1939 and were conducted by SS units acompanied by Selbstschutz members. Most of the victims who were Poles were killed in between 24 October to 10 November 1939.

The crime was a consequence of a provocation. On 21 October 1939 some household buildings belonging to Hugo Fritz in Piastoszyn got burnt and the German authorities were "convinced" it was due to an arson. Although it was known that Fritz himself was responsible for that as he left a cigar in his barn which resulted in a fire, German authorities ordered that 'every day 40 Poles would be shot unless the perpetrators are found'. Victims were asked to dig burial pits before they got executed.

A trial of some of the Selbstschutz members from Sepólno Krajeńskie and Tuchola was held in Mannheim in between 1 February and 12 April 1965.

Image source: Internet