28. Not All Efforts to Save Jews Were Dramatic, and Most Ended in Heartbreaking Failure
Some risked their lives to save Jews from the Nazis. Unfortunately, they were relatively few and far in between. Even more unfortunate, they failed more often than not. Of Jews in countries occupied by Germany during WWII, roughly 67% perished, with death rates reaching as high as 90% or more in Germany, Poland, and the Baltic countries.
Most people who tried to save Jews did not resort to arms, but tried to assist in undramatic ways that nonetheless required great courage, considering the draconian penalties for getting caught. Such assistance included offering fugitive Jews shelter, food, fake identity papers, smuggling them to safety beyond the Third Reich’s borders, or other means of support to enable them to hide or save themselves. Some who lacked the means to do even that much did the only thing they could: set a moral example by refusing to go along with the Nazis.