1.4 -- The Nazi Occupation

Hans Frank

Late October, 1939 

Having entered Polish territory and commenced the occupation of our

country, the Germans immediately began to divide it. In other words,

towns and provinces were nominated - some as belonging to the Reich, and

others the so-called territory of the Governor-General, or GG.

Hitler appointed Dr. Hans FRANK as Governor-General. Krakow was
selected as the GG capital.  In this city was situated the headquarters
of the GESTAPO, "Geheine Staats Polizei", or the Nazi national
(political) secret police. As I already knew, the Gestapo was created
in the Third Reich in 1933. There it was the principal enforcement
organ of the Nazi state. Now, in time of war, the occupant immediately
applied a policy of terror in our occupied land.

In Warsaw the Gestapo was located at No.25 Szucha Ave., in the building
of the former Ministry of Religious Beliefs and Public Enlightenment.
 

In addition, the SD - SS and Polizeifuhrer, or German police, was
located in Warsaw at 25 Ujazdowska Ave. in the building used pre-war by
the Belgian and Dutch embassies.

The Governor's plenipotentiary for the City of Warsaw was Ludwig LEIST,
while Dr. Ludwig FISZER became Governor of the Warsaw District,
occupying the Bruhlowski Palace as his abode.

Following the Nazi occupation of our country the Nazis plastered both Krakow and Warsaw with the following proclamation:

"In order to prevent impertinent behaviour by the Polish population I
order the following: Polish citizens of both sexes are to give way to
representatives of the German nation. That is, step off the pavement
into the road when passed by uniformed Germans. In addition, men are to
remove headgear. The streets belong to the conquerors, not the
conquered."

How extremely unpleasant! So it begins immediately - and what is to come?

Because all money is still in circulation (especially gold and silver
coins) Mama has means at her disposal. She wishes to begin the
rebuilding of our houses immediately. This is not possible due to a
shortage of tradesmen. In the first place, however, it is necessary to
make good the damage here in our home where we lived previously, where I
was born and where a few persons close to us had survived. It is also
important for ourselves so as to have a roof over our heads before
winter comes. Our caretaker, Mr. Duszak, proved most helpful in this
respect.

With the assistance of another man who needed to earn some money, they
energetically began to renovate the ground floor for Mr. Duszak - and
the first floor for us. As more Warsaw residents began to return others
willing to earn some money were found. So it was not long before we
had somewhere to live. Windows were a problem as glass was not to be
bought. For the moment, therefore, most of the windows were boarded up.
 

Pieces of glass, somehow left intact, were found in destroyed homes
and mounted where needed most to let in some daylight.

Some clothes were saved together with all our possessions which were
hidden in the cellar and guarded by Freda and the Duszaks. Also my
dolls, all 25 of them, packed in suitcases by Freda and hidden under
coal in the cellar. I was so happy that they survived. They were also a
part of my family. Some of our things were destroyed in the annexes
while others, removed altogether from Warsaw, were saved. Thus all
those who returned were able to resume life in the sparsely furnished
house.

The other rental property in the same street suffered less and could quickly be made available to returning tenants.

Once our house on Pawia St. was partly restored, Mama proceeded
energetically with rebuilding the house on Hoza St. This had been
completely burnt out, making it easier to rebuild since there was less
rubble to remove, although the cost was higher. On the other hand, more
was needed on Wilcza St both in terms of labour and money. The first
task here was the removal or exhumation of human remains from beneath
heaps of bricks. It was only later, after the barricades and barbed
wire entanglements had been removed, that it was possible to clear the
rubble. For this purpose Mama hired horse-drawn vehicles from nearby
villagers where we had our estates. The villagers readily agreed, often
taking the opportunity to acquire for themselves bricks for a barn or a
cellar.

Generally, all those returning to rubble and ruin immediately began
cleaning up the Capital, also restoring and re-starting workshops. The
German authorities even issued an order to that effect, thus encouraging
a speedier return of the inhabitants to the Capital. On the 5th
October a parade was held in the Ave. Ujazdowskie when Hitler himself
came to Warsaw. At the same time many people from among the
intelligentsia were arrested, causing fear among the residents of
Warsaw.

On Oct. 9, 1939 posters appeared in the Capital with an announcement
by the Commandant of Warsaw, Lieut.Gen. von COCHENHAUSEN.  This called
on all officers - regulars, reservists and Army retirees as well as
military officials of commissioned rank - to report to the former
General Staff building on Marshal Pilsudski Square.  On October 10th for
those with names beginning from A to K and on October 12th for the
rest.  Any officer in the above categories who did not register risked
being arrested.

Although we miss Papa and do not know what has happened to him, we are
relieved that he is not here at the moment. However, someone told Mama
that this is not necessarily a good thing because the Nazis possess
documents and may put pressure on families. She became very sad and
started to worry. All of us tried to comfort her.

I often shed tears in quiet corners but I dry my eyes so that Mama will
not see them and feel even worse. It is curious, however, how I have
grown up during this lengthy period. Not only in stature, but
especially in my thinking. I try to help Mama in everything because she
is so dear to me. I should like to take on my own shoulders at least
half the burden which she carries. But I cannot succeed in this
because Mama has still not abandoned the principle of "sparing" me.  At
such times she tells me:

"Time enough to work hard later in life, my child. There is no need
now, thank you.  As long as I, your mother, live I will spare you
because you are mine - my only child, what is more. As you know
yourself, I was also brought up among great wealth. That is why I spare
you because who knows what life may bring. As it is, things are not as
they were before the war for us. Although there is no cause for
complaint.

"We are living through hard times during the Nazi occupation", she
continued: "This is the first war for you, my child. For me it is
already the second. That is why you are experiencing it with a youthful
feeling of enthusiasm, excitement - while I feel afraid. Because I
tremble, worry and fear for everyone around us. My greatest concern now
is to learn at least something about what is happening to Papa. If
only to know if he still lives for us?"

We both wept, hugging each other. It was so painful for me not to be
able to find words of comfort. Never before had we understood each
other as well as at that moment. Between us we decided that we must
endure and help wherever possible those who need this help and who are
sometimes themselves helpless in the face of merciless fate. In
accordance with Papa's teaching and the wishes he once expressed to us.

Mama kissed me warmly, drying my tears. She drew herself up proudly,
gathered her strength and left the room with her head held high. I
began to admire her, although I still did not really know my Mama.