ed for more people to report for deportation, the ZOB handed out leaflets describing the horror that awaited those who left. The night before the deportation of factory workers was to occur, the ZOB burned down the factory and machinery. On January 18, 1943, SS troops surrounded the Ghetto and began to march in. The ZOB replied with gunfire. In a battle that lasted three days, 50 German soldiers were killed or wounded. Even though ZOB casualties had been high, the Germans retreated. From this brief show of ability and force, the ZOB earned respect and received more outside support including 49 more revolvers, 50 grenades, and some explosives from the Polish Underground. With a group of 1,000 fighters, the resistance created teams of ten, usually 8 men and 2 women, who fought together. Half of the members of each team had their own arms. Following the insurrection, Himmler ordered the SS Brigadier General in charge of operations at the Warsaw Ghetto, Jurgen Stroop, that "the roundups in the Warsaw Ghetto must be carried out with relentless determination and in as ruthless a manner as possible. The tougher the attack, the better. Recent events show just how dangerous these Jews are." As ordered by Himmler, a huge show of force descended upon the Warsaw Ghetto. SS troops, German Police, and Lithuanian and Ukrainian SS once again surrounded the Ghetto on April 19, 1943, on the eve of Passover. At 6AM, 2,000 soldiers marched into the Ghetto with tanks and artillery. The Jews responded with grenades, home-made bombs, and Molotov Cocktails. They blew up a tank and drove the Nazis back. The Nazis responded by burning Ghetto buildings and the Jews burned down the building repository of stolen Jewish goods. The Nazis continued their attack by using flame-throwers in the bunkers and shutting off water and electricity to the region. The ZOB flew the forbidden flag of Poland next to the blue and white flag of the Jews. For three weeks the Ghetto hel...
