![Ruins of a building in the Kovno ghetto gutted when the Germans attempted to force Jews out of hiding during the final destruction ... [LCID: 81133]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/87a2a779-d842-4f42-b85c-897c88728718.jpeg)
Ruins of a building in the former Kovno ghetto photographed in August 1944 after Soviet forces drove the Germans out of Kovno (Kaunas), Lithuania.
In early July 1944, as the Soviets approached, the Germans evacuated the Kauen concentration camp (formerly the Kovno ghetto). Many Jews tried to hide to avoid deportation. The Germans tried to force these people out of hiding by razing the former ghetto area to the ground using dynamite. Most of those in hiding were burned to death in the ensuing fire. This image was likely taken by Hirsch Kadushin (later known as George Kadish). Kadushin was a Jewish photographer who secretly took photos in the Kovno ghetto.
We would like to thank Crown Family Philanthropies, Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation, the Claims Conference, and BMF for supporting the ongoing work to create content and resources for the Holocaust Encyclopedia. View the list of all donors.
