From Yomtov Yacoel

Yacoel describes a German invasion that at first did not appear to target Jews for persecution. Bit by bit, the situation changed. Then, in a dramatic move, all Jewish males were ordered to the city's Liberty Square on July 12, 1942. The reason for calling the assembly was not at first given. According to rumors, the purpose was to register the men for use in military works within the region of Macedonia. The day proved to be a foreshadowing of the greater violence still to come.

"During this assembly," writes Yacoel, "occurred many cases of maltreatment of Jews by German soldiers and officers. Some Jews who came late were hit brutally by hand, foot and whip. A group of German sailors exhibited excessive savagery at these maltreatments. German military policemen (F.G.) set their bulldogs on some Jews, because they dared to smoke or to wear a head cover to protect themselves from the burning July sun. Other Jews, tired from standing up for hours, sat on the ground and were beaten for it by the Gestapo until they bled, to the point where a Red Cross ambulance was called to take them to their homes."

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