Szczerców

Szczerców [ˈʂt͡ʂɛrt͡suf] (German: 1943-45 Scherzau) is a village in Bełchatów County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland.[1] It is the seat of the gmina (administrative district) called Gmina Szczerców. It lies approximately 18 kilometres (11 mi) west of Bełchatów and 56 km (35 mi) south-west of the regional capital Łódź.

Szczerców
Village
Local church
Coat of arms
Szczerców
Coordinates: 51°20′N 19°7′E
Country Poland
VoivodeshipŁódź
CountyBełchatów
GminaSzczerców
Area
129 km2 (50 sq mi)
Population
3,300
 • Density26/km2 (66/sq mi)
Postal Code
97-420
Area Code(+48) 44
Vehicle registrationEBE
Websitewww.szczercow.org

The village has a population of 3,300.

History

The town had a history of Jewish migration and settlement, with 35 per cent of the population claiming Jewish ancestry at the start of World War II.[2] Shortly after Hitler's forces invaded Poland in 1939, Polish and German troops fought bitterly between September 4th and 5th, resulting in the near destruction of the town. The synagogue was burned, and its ruins dismantled after the war, while the majority of Jewish residents took shelter in nearby towns Zelów and Bełchatów.[3]

Among the soldiers to perish in the fighting at Szczerców was Prince Oskar of Prussia (1915-39),[4] a lieutenant with Nazi German Infantry Regiment 51 and a grandson of deposed Kaiser Wilhelm II, through his son Prince Oskar (1888-1958).

References
  1. "Central Statistical Office (GUS) - TERYT (National Register of Territorial Land Apportionment Journal)" (in Polish). 2008-06-01.
  2. "History". sztetl.org. 10 Sep 2020. Retrieved 10 Sep 2020.
  3. "History | Virtual Shtetl". sztetl.org.pl. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  4. "IR 51 at Szczercow - Sep 1939". Feldgrau.net. 28 Oct 2006. Retrieved 10 Sep 2020.


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