1.8 -- To Destroy Great Men

Woman, policeman, and German soldier, Warsaw Ghetto

With Papa's return the whole house became animated.  He himself was, however, exhausted and starved. Although everyone was anxious to hear what had happened to him, they now gave him a chance to rest in his own home. 

The following night after supper everyone gathered in the salon to hear about Papa's experiences and impressions. At the moment I will not describe what he told us, but will begin with what I already knew about Papa. In November, 1918, when he was 20 years old and had two years of medical studies behind him, Papa volunteered for the Polish Army which was then being formed.  Having completed training, he served on the Eastern front in the 9th Regiment of Uhlans. Later he was transferred to the 12th Regiment of Podol Uhlans and saw combat with the mounted army of Budionny under the command of Lieut. Col. Tadeusz Bor-Komorowski.

After the Polish-Bolshevik War and now in independent Poland, he continued his studies, specialising in orthopaedics.  He then returned to the 7th Regiment of Mazowiecki Uhlans at Minsk Mazowiecki. From 1925 to 1928 he served in the Light Cavalry Regiment in Warsaw at Podchorazych St. which was commanded at that time by his former superior, Col. Tadeusz Bor-Komorowski.  And now, like many others, he was called up from the reserve. He parted from us as I have previously described in my diary.  Following the first defence against the enemy of the Hospital of the Infant Jesus where he worked, he was transferred to the old Light Cavalry Regiment with a group of other ex-cavalrymen. He fought with the cavalry protecting the central sector of the Vistula south of Warsaw and also by the River Wieprz.

After numerous successful encounters with the Germans they were approaching Wieprz to the South of Krasnobrod, still under the command of Col. Tadeusz Bor-Komorowski.  Because of the Russian strike from the East, they had no other way out but to force themselves through enemy lines towards the Hungarian border. And it was near Wieprz that they came up against a strong German defensive position. They formed up for an attack which developed favourably at first. But before they were able to get through the Germans had time to bring up motorised units with which they attacked their flank and rear. 

The outcome was a fierce battle in which he was wounded, fortunately not severely.

It was there that they were surrounded by overwhelming enemy forces in an ever-tightening circle. In this situation orders came from above to disband the units since the Commanding Officer, Col. T. Bor-Komorowski had himself been wounded. 

Their only remaining hope was to force their way through in small groups or individually, under cover of darkness, in order to avoid being taken prisoner by the Germans. Luckily Papa succeeded in this, together with other cavalrymen. Others, however, unexpectedly fell into German ambushes. What their fate was Papa could not tell.

He and others traveled only by night, hiding during the day in bushes and forests. Many peasants fed them and even supplied civilian clothing. After many adventures and hardships, hard to describe here in detail since it would become his diary, not mine - Papa's little group kept shrinking and only a few were lucky enough to reach Hungary.

Once there, they made contact with hospitals and with a Hungarian manufacturer of prostheses, from whom they received support and a means of existing, as well as assistance in returning home.  That was how he came home, having been very worried about our fate here and how we managed to live in the altered circumstances.  For the present, he was very happy to find us alive.  Papa commiserated with deep feeling with Mr. Duszak concerning the loss of his wife, who died here in our home from a German bomb. Again many tears were shed.

I am happy and Mama is happy to have Papa once more with us. Although there are many worries, we are together again - which means so much to a family.  Winter is approaching so perhaps it will be easier to survive now that we are all together.

Gradually Papa's friends and colleagues are also returning. They have got together and unanimously maintain that they should return to work as soon as possible within their medical professions.

On the 28th of this month, a general population census was completed.   In our district, particular account was taken of the Jewish population and those of Jewish descent.  Once more uncertainty enters everyone's hearts.

Another pleasant surprise this morning.   Papa's brother, Uncle Mitus, who lived here with us before the war, has also returned.  How wonderful that gradually the house is beginning to fill with those close to us.  His adventures were similar to Papa's with just this one difference - that the institution where he worked, that is the Social Insurance Institute, was evacuated at once.

How strange that this joy cannot last long.  At once another problem arises. That afternoon we are troubled by rumours in the city that the Germans are planning the creation of a separate Jewish district and that re-location has already began.  I cannot understand any of it. Why these districts: Jewish, Polish, German? Well, a German district - yes. I should not like at all to have them as near neighbours. But why those others? Hard to understand what those Germans are intending, planning.

Some sad news reached us. At the end of October the Gestapo arrested the President of the Capital City of Warsaw, Stefan STARZYNSKI, also a friend of the family, straight from the Town Hall where he worked. I know him and his brother's family. Terrible things are beginning to happen. 

We also hear that in accordance with previous instructions of the German authorities the Jewish Religious Council, located at 26/28, Grzybowska St., has completed a census of all the people of that nationality. The chairman of the Council of Elders is chemical engineer Adam CZERNIAKOW, a former senator nominated for that post on the 23rd Sept., 1939 by President Stefan Starzynski. The leader of the council's Health Department is Dr. Israel MILEJKOWSKI, while Abram GEPUR, a well-known merchant before the war, is in charge of supplies together with co-worker, Jan GAWALEWICZ.

Mama now worries about Freda, Maryla, Dr. & Mrs. Frenkiel, also about Papa and Uncle. She is not concerned for herself or me.  But she has grave doubts about Papa and Uncle.  On the other hand, I consider that there is no need to fear for Papa. 

He is, after all, a baptised Christian.

Such were our various and uncertain feelings on the first All Souls' Day. The population of the City, although suffering, observed the festival by paying respectful homage, lighting thousands of candles on the graves of those fallen in the defence of Warsaw and interred in all larger squares and even in the yards of houses. Warsaw actually glowed from everlasting flames, lights and candles. An extremely painful sight. Crosses and flames, flames and crosses and the smell of wax candles reminded us with great realism of the battle for Warsaw, when the city was in flames. The festival reminds us all the more vividly what a terrible defeat we have suffered. How much weeping, how many aching hearts on this day! How many faces covered by mourning veils. Hard to become accustomed to it all, hard to take it for granted. Nevertheless, everything must be endured. But how to maintain life in the present circumstances, when the Nazi terror has already began? 

Who can answer that question? Perhaps no-one.

More news has reached us that the officers who reported for registration under the previously-published German order have been arrested and transported to POW camps.  The period for reporting has been extended twice. Whoever had not obeyed was under threat of arrest.

Fears for Papa and also Uncle Mitka steals into our house. Because they returned at such an unfortunate time. Mama, together with family and friends, confers on providing them with some kind of shelter. Papa, however, is calm. Maintains that they do not know about him, so he can go back and work normally when the hospital becomes functional. The Germans are putting hospitals in order rapidly, driving whoever they can find to the work of restoration and removal of rubble. Because they also have many wounded and invalids after the battle.

Early one morning Samuel ADALBERG, leading folklore expert, proverb specialist and author of the well-known book "Polish Provers, Sayings and Proverbial Expressions", took his own life.  

The Gestapo were coming for him.   Thus are the Germans beginning to destroy great men.