Pre-1939: Stary Sącz, town, Nowy Sącz powiat, Kraków województwo, Poland; 1939–1945: Alt-Sandez, Kreis Neu-Sandez, Distrikt Krakau, Generalgouvernement; post-1998: Stary Sącz, województwo małopolskie, Poland Stary Sącz is located about 85 kilometers (53 miles) southeast of Kraków. On the eve of World War II, there were about 434 Jews living in the town.1 German armed forces occupied Stary Sącz on September 5, 1939. At the end of October, the town became part of Kreis Neu-Sandez, administered by Kreishauptmann Dr. Reinhard Busch. A Border Police Office (Grenzpolizeikommissariat, GPK) was established in Nowy Sącz and headed from 1940 by SS-Obersturmführer Heinrich Hamann. A unit of Polish (Blue) Police, stationed in Stary Sącz, was commanded by a Viennese official named Neumann. The Germans conscripted Jews for forced labor, mainly cleaning streets, washing latrines, and performing other degrading work. A curfew was imposed on the Jews. A Judenrat was established in the town in the fa...