Object numberM1996/033:014
DescriptionSmall gold pocket watch, beatifully decorated, attached to a chain. A brooch is at the other end. The finding of the watch was recorded in Sonia Wright diary entry of 14 June 1990:
“News comes that the soldiers have found something. It is a silver pocket watch secreted in the toes of a boot. It stopped at 8.15. Was that morning or evening? Did it go on ticking after the killing was over and all else was silent? I am glad that its owner succeeded in deceiving the killers”.
The Jews of Serniki were murdered in one day in early September 1942. The German execution squad arrived shortly before lunch and left in the late afternoon. With the help of local collaborators, the Jews were rounded up and brought to a pit 40 metres long and 5 metres wide on the outskirts of the village. The victims were forced to lie face down on the floor of the pit, while marksmen at the edge of the pit targeted the heads of the victims. Other victims were clubbed to death. Corpses were stacked on top of each other in layers. A considerable number of Jews did escape the slaughter by fleeing into the forests. Those who were later found were shot. Altogether, about 850 men, women and children were massacred.
“News comes that the soldiers have found something. It is a silver pocket watch secreted in the toes of a boot. It stopped at 8.15. Was that morning or evening? Did it go on ticking after the killing was over and all else was silent? I am glad that its owner succeeded in deceiving the killers”.
The Jews of Serniki were murdered in one day in early September 1942. The German execution squad arrived shortly before lunch and left in the late afternoon. With the help of local collaborators, the Jews were rounded up and brought to a pit 40 metres long and 5 metres wide on the outskirts of the village. The victims were forced to lie face down on the floor of the pit, while marksmen at the edge of the pit targeted the heads of the victims. Other victims were clubbed to death. Corpses were stacked on top of each other in layers. A considerable number of Jews did escape the slaughter by fleeing into the forests. Those who were later found were shot. Altogether, about 850 men, women and children were massacred.
Production placeSerniki, Ukraine
Subjectwar crimes, pit killings, genocide, archaeology, mass graves, archaeology
Object namewatches
Dimensions
- diameter: 32.00 mm
Language
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by the War Crimes Investigation Unit