2,000 Jews murdered in Kaunas Lithuania
On this day, Jews around the world, and indeed all people of good conscience remember with sadness the killing of thousands of Jews. For several years, Jews endured oppression, particularly at the hands of Germany. The relative peace they had was shattered on this day March 27th, 1944 when 1,800 infants, children, and elderly people were forcibly removed from their homes, particularly in Kaunas, and brutally murdered. This event triggered underground resistance groups into action, notably the General Jewish Fighting Organization, a coalition of Zionists and Communists, which devised escape plans.
Approximately 350 Jews from Kovno managed to flee the ghetto and join the Partisans by early July 1944, as the Soviet army approached. Also, the Germans began transferring Kovno's Jewish population to concentration camps in Germany. In attempts to avoid being captured, many Jews sought refuge by hiding, only to be ruthlessly hunted down by the Germans using grenades and firebombs. The clampdown resulted in the deaths of around 2,000 Jews. Although many Jews were killed even afterward, this particular killing of thousands of Jewish people drew condemnations from many people around the world and it cannot be forgotten in history.
Source: yadvashem,
Nigerian Army Recaptures Boko Haram's HQ
Also, on this day in March 2015, the Nigerian army announced that it recaptured the Northeastern town of Gwoza, believed to be the headquarters of the militant Islamist group Boko Haram. According to the military, the insurgents had been driven from virtually all the territory they previously held with many of them reported to be fleeing towards border areas.
Making that major announcement, Major General Chris Olukolade in a statement said, "Just this morning, the gallant troops of the Nigerian military in a concerted and well-coordinated land and air operations have liberated Gwoza, the headquarters of their so-called caliphate."
The cheering news of Gwoza's recapture came a day before the presidential elections in Nigeria, which were postponed by six weeks due to the offensive against Boko Haram. The report of Gwoza's capture gave many Nigerians hope that the insurgency might be over soon since the insurgents had been dislodged and their caliphate captured. However, several years down the line, that dream seems elusive as Boko Haram terrorists still operate with various factions carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Sadly, Nigerians still live with this problem which began in 2009 when the country started grappling with insurgency with thousands of people killed and many others injured even as millions have been rendered homeless.
Sources: BBC, CNN
583 die in aviation's worst disaster
Today is also a day of sober reflection for travellers around the world, especially air travellers. The collision of two Boeing 747s at Los Rodeos Airport which is now known as Tenerife North Airport on March 27, 1977, stands as the deadliest in aviation history. The tragedy occurred when the departing KLM aircraft began its takeoff before the taxiing Pan Am aircraft had cleared the runway, leading to a catastrophic collision. The accident resulted in the loss of 583 lives, mainly attributed to pilot error and unauthorized departure, although there were several other contributing factors.
The crash victims comprised passengers and crew aboard the KLM aircraft. On the Pan Am aircraft, 61 people, including the flight crew, survived the accident, but both planes were completely destroyed. Survivors from the Pan Am flight managed to escape onto the intact left wing and subsequently descended to the ground. However, the inferno and wreckage prevented any chance of exit from the central and rear sections of the cabin, leading to the tragic death of all passengers on the upper deck.
Source: simpleflying
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