The near total destruction of Lithuanian Jews between July 1941 and July 1944 was, in large part, due to the willing and enthusiastic participation of the local populace in Nazi occupied Lithuania.

Both the Ypatingas Burys (special security force) and the Ponary Riflemen (so named by Kazimierz Sakowicz who, from his attic window, witnessed and recorded precise information about the executions and executioners) were primarily responsible for the deaths of over 70,000 Jews, 10,000 Polish intellectuals, academics, and resistance fighters, and 2,000 Soviet POWs.

The victims included men, women, and children who were forced to strip before being shot. The bodies were buried in huge pits that had been previously built by the Soviets for storage of fuel oil. Their remains were subsequently burned, ground up, and mixed with sand in an attempt to cover up the crime.

Before WWII, Ponary (Paneriai) was a picturesque village and forestland where people picnicked, skied, and enjoyed the outdoors. This area is now a suburb of Vilnius, Lithuania.

Many Lithuanians benefitted economically from this and other similar actions.

Further Reading http://www.deathcamps.org/occupation/ponary.html

detail, The Ponary Riflemen