The radio announcement of 7 November 1938 at 10 p.m. regarding the assassination of a German embassy official in Paris by a Jew caused an emotional outburst and incredible rage among the population against the Jews. The rage drove the masses into the streets, breaking the doors and windows of Jewish houses and destroying the interior of the synagogue. During the night, groups assembled and continued the destruction. One group gathered around 3 a.m. and destroyed the furniture in Jewish homes. Acts of stealing and plunder occurred, if one is to believe the Jewish complaints. In the course of destruction, damage was caused to property that had been Jewish in the past, but was recently transferred into Aryan hands. The destruction went on until dawn. In the morning, once it had been established that property had been stolen from the sites that were broken into, the police went into action. Signs were posted on the Jewish houses forbidding entry, and measures were taken to avoid looting. On 8 November 1938 at 10 a.m., order was restored. Many were still congregating around Jewish homes, but these gatherings were not of a protest nature. There were curious school children and youngsters. The children and youth caught stealing or destroying property were removed from the scene and their spoils were confiscated. The Jews living in town left in the course of November 8. To prevent plunder during the coming night, police reinforcement units were positioned and police rounds were increased. During 9 November 1938, entrances to Jewish homes were sealed off with wooden planks and police presence was reinforced. The damage, not counting the synagogue, is estimated at 80,000 to 100,000 RM. During the anti-Jewish demonstrations, damage was caused only to property; there were no cases of personal injury to Jews.
