20,000 inhabitants of the Pinsk Ghetto were rounded up and murdered on October 29 through November 1. To spare the ghetto population from collective punishment, the Jewish underground in the ghetto decided, instead of fleeing into the forest, to set the ghetto afire shortly before the projected liquidation. To this end, it stockpiled flammable substances. However, on October 28, as rumors of the impending liquidation proliferated, the Judenrat released soothing statements in the GermansΓÇÖ name and frustrated the plans. Just the same, many dozens fled or went into hiding. A "small ghetto" was established, and its initial population of 143 skilled artisans was boosted when people in hiding joined them. On December 23, the "small ghetto" was liquidated and its inhabitants murdered.
