Kolo is a town on the Warta River in central Poland near Lodz. At the turn of the century, the Jewish population was over 9,000 (43% of the total population). The Germans captured the town, and shortly thereafter, all males over 14 were sent to forced labor. A ghetto was created in December, 1940. In December, 1941, the ghetto was liquidated and the remaining Jews deported to Chelmno. The town remained a transfer point for Jews being deported to Lodz. The town was visited by German officials, including Heinrich Himmler.
Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard sent by the Judische Gemeinide Muhlental, Krs. Wartbrucken to the Judenrat in the Lodz ghetto, postmarked September 29, 1941. It appears that Muhlental may have been the German name for Kolo or a ghetto near Kolo. The handwritten message in German talks about the Jews of Muhlental and the Jewish hospital in Posen. There are 2-line "Judische Gemeinide Muhlental, Krs. Wartbrucken " cachets on the front and back. There is also a Lodz receiving box cachet and a green handwritten reply. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Postcard" in the left frame to return.
Spector, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Life Before and During the Holocaust (2001), P. 647
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Copyright © 2006 Edward Victor