 On 8 August 1919, during the Polish–Soviet War, Polish troops took over Minsk in Operation Minsk.They killed 31 Jews merely suspected of supporting the Bolshevist movement, beat and attacked many more, looted 377 Jewish-owned shops (aided by the local civilians) and ransacked many private homes.The "Morgenthau's report of October 1919 stated that there is no question that some of the Jewish leaders exaggerated these evils."