Led by Mordecai Anielewicz. the ZOB represented many political parties. Its pur-. pose was not politics. but resistance at all costs. When the second deportations began January 18 the defense was not yet ready. Of the 50 or more organized groups. only four manned the barricades. The others were either not armed or taken by surprise. Nevertheless. the Germans did not expect to deal with such vigorous resistance. Equipped with few pistols. grenades. and homemade bombs. the defenders inflicted an astonishing number of casualties on the Germans. The Nazis were forced to stop the "action." Although 6.000 Jews were deported. the ZOB had won a victory. Aware that the Germans would not tolerate a defeat. the ZOB worked to strengthen their underground shelters. bunkers. and intercommunication lines. The ZOB command was reorganized.
Keywords matched
deported deportations