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Warsaw Ghetto Tram

Following Todd Michalak's recent tram diorama, I thought it might be interesting to show a different take on the same subject, in fact, the same kit (MiniArt European Tram 38001).

We have the menacing authority figure of the German Officer (from a separate MiniArt set), with yet additional figures from other MiniArt civilian sets. The overheads have been detailed up a little, and the Star of David emblems and the 'For Jews Only' signs replicated in German and Polish from period photographs.

The Ghetto trams were at first segregated between seating for ‘Aryans’ and for Jews, then ‘Jews only’ trams were introduced, with signs indicating the distinction. Gradually, trams were ‘colour coded’ in various formats and the authorities eventually expunged tram route numbers altogether from the usual external signs, leaving only a stark Star of David sign on display.

As such, there’s a poignancy, where these Jews had the belief that although they were under threat, at least they had reached a place of ‘safety’ together. The history of the Ghetto trams reflects that of the Jews, where the condition and labelling of a simple form of public transport reflected the political reality of a people facing extinction.