Destruction of Kalisz - Executions and Repressions

Executions and Repressions

In late evening, a single shot was heard, which started confusion and panic among the city population, after it was followed by a series of machine gun fire. After this short event, peace returned to the city. During the night shots intensified. Due to the night cover, German soldiers started to shoot at each other, probably thinking that they were surrounded by Russian forces. Despite the fact that civilians stayed at homes, 21 civilians and 6 soldiers were dead and 32 soldiers were wounded. Major Preusker claimed that it was the local population that performed the shooting.

On 4 August, Preusker declared repressions towards the city inhabitants, arrest of 6 civilians as hostages, 50,000 rubles of contribution, the police-hour, ban on publishing newspapers, and threat of taking further hostages and executions. Despite this and following of the orders by population, the Germans continued with further repressions and executions. Civilians were brutally beaten, often with rifle butts, at any sign of resistance people were shoved against the wall and shot. Many executions happened near the hospital where wounded people were held up. Several corpses were left on the streets. Many pedestrians were mistreated and any signs of opposition executed with such brutally and under such conditions that there were cases where soldiers refused to follow the orders of their officers. Up to 20 people were murdered in this way.