Type of place

Information about the crime

In 1943 in Jankowo-Skarbowo a 33-year-old merchant Mendel and a 28-year-old cobbler Chaim who used to hide in Jankowo were killed by the military policemen from the police station in Miastkowo. According to the local residents’ accounts gathered on 17 August 2017, they came from Nowogród. Their bodies were buried together in the field. They were probably killed on the same day. The grave is located on a private field.

In 1970s residents of Jankowo and surrounding villages testified as a part of an investigation into the case (case files no DS 164/69).

Franciszek W. (S 164/69), a testimony from 14 August 1971:

“I recall that near the village of Jankowo near Nowogród some Germans shot to death a hiding Jew and his family. This Jew was called Mendel. Moreover, the Germans shot to death a young Jew on a field near Nowogród. He was a son of a blacksmith. I don’t remember the name of this Jew.”

A testimony of the same witness given three years later:

“I remember that in 1943 a wood merchant, 33-year-old Mendel was murdered. The military policemen killed him near Jankowo-Skarbowo with another hiding Jew, Chaim. Chaim was a cobbler, he was 28 years old. […] Both Chaim and Mendel were known to me and that’s why I was interested in their fate.” (S 164/69)

Józef Ch. (Ds 164/69), a testimony from 25 July 1973:

“German military policemen from Miastkowo murdered two Jews in our village [Jankowo-Skarbowo]. They were Mendel and Chaim. They were Jews from Nowogród who were in hiding. Mendel was about 33 years old and was a merchant whereas Chaim was about 28 years old and was a cobbler. I haven’t seen the very moment of the killing of the aforementioned Jews. It took place on a field owned by Stanisław who was blind. The military policemen found the Jews in their hideout and murdered them straight away. They left the bodies where they were. They were buried by the local people.”
The grave of the murdered Jews still hasn’t been found.

Contact and cooperation

We are still looking for information on the identity of the victims and the location of Jewish graves in Jankowo-Skarbowo. If you know something more, write to us at the following address: fundacjazapomniane@gmail.com.

Bibliography

Ds. 164/69, Files on criminal case of crimes committed by German gendarmes in Miastków, Łomża district, in Miastków and nearby towns in 1941-1944. p. 16-19, 114-117.

In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this research project. Through recovering the assets of the victims of the Holocaust, the Claims Conference enables organizations around the world to provide education about the Shoah and to preserve the memory of those who perished.