1 -- Introduction

Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Monument

In order to be able to connect events and experiences chronologically and to understand the circumstances of tragic events I must provide some background - beginning almost from the cradle. 

And so:

There were times of low morale, times of doubt in my life.  There were days of happiness, beautiful days.  There were years of cruel human tragedy and destruction which I now want to immortalise as that historical document for which it is never too late.

Before I come to this I will explain certain matters.

I was just thirteen years and eight months old when Nazi Germany attacked our country.  Not yet a young woman, but no longer a child.

And it is from that particular time that the "second period" of my life begins.  The time when, from a girl, I quickly became an adult by sheer necessity dictated by the part which Fate played in my life.  

Day by day I became more adult, more mature.  Not only in age - for every year, although seemingly so short, is sometimes as long as eternity.  Rather it was my mind which matured. It did so by experiencing the extremely cruel human tragedies occurring around me.

Here I must add - or rather explain - why I was forced to experience that "Dante's Inferno" on Earth. It was because I was the child of respectable parents, but of a mixed marriage.

In post-war circumstances following World War I my Papa - a member of a Jewish family and a former Uhlan officer - met my Mother.  He fell in love so deeply that despite initial opposition from both families he reached his goal and married my Mama.

Because Mama, a Catholic, did not decide to change her religion, Papa did so in order to be able to marry her.  His christening and later their wedding took place - reputedly with great pomp for those times - in Warsaw, in the church of St. Augustyn at Nowolipki, which was our parish. In this same church my name was written into the Book of Birth on the day of my christening.  

Because the union joined two people from very wealthy backgrounds - from rich families, in fact - my parents were able to invest their "dowries" immediately in buildings, summer estates, land, etc.  Papa inherited from his mother two rental properties on Pawia St.  One of these was a four-storey house and two outbuildings in the yard.  

The other house was near Okupowa St. My parents took up residence in the former immediately after the wedding, occupying the whole of the first floor. That is where I was born, that is where I was raised and that is where I lived through those beautiful, happy and carefree years. It was also there that I experienced cruel tragedy later.

Only eighteen families - mostly my parents' friends - lived in this house.   The small number of occupants was due to the size of the apartments (10 rooms each) and the consequently high rentals.

On the other side of the same street my parents owned another house.  Also of good quality but with smaller, three- and two-roomed apartments and a few single rooms with kitchens and conveniences. These were occupied by prosperous Polish and Jewish intelligentsia, including a
college professor, a dramatic actress, some merchants and manufacturers and others with businesses in the vicinity such as small factories, shops, etc.

My parents also owned two rental properties in Srodmiescie as well as a summer holiday estate at Pyry near Warsaw. This included a one-storey villa with tennis courts, close to the racetrack at Sluzewiec. There were other properties at Zalesie, Golkow, Gloskow, etc.

As the above notes indicate, my parents were wealthy. Life was carefree. They liked to entertain so our doors were always open hospitably. Their lifestyle was high not only here in the Capital but also on the country estates. My parents led a very animated social and cultural existence.

Mama was a well-educated, pretty, shapely and elegant woman. She was knowledgeable in all things and was therefore able to conduct our home on an appropriate level. Because she was not, however, a "home body" - although she liked, loved and prized her home - she had servants and I had a nursemaid, my favourite, beloved Nanny, Maryla de LAgace.

Although she did not need to, my Mama chose to work professionally.  Together with her cousin, Boguslaw Herse, she ran Dom Mody Hersow, a fashion house famous throughout Warsaw. Both were designers in their own right.  Only very wealthy people, including artists, leading
personalities, landed gentry, foreign guests and the like, were dressed by their firm. They employed a large staff and also trained young aspirants in fashion.

Over all, Mama was the personification of goodness, gentleness and delicacy, sensitivity and feeling with a subtle disposition and soul.
 

She fought for the rights of the so-called "cult of individuality".
 

She considered that I should love her more than Papa because she had given me birth. But I loved them both equally and enormously.

Despite this, mama had "golden hands" and a wonderful heart capable of the greatest sacrifices and self-denials for those she loved, liked, or even just knew, or who needed any kind of help. It was only in such situations that she revealed her real self- how much good there was in her, how much sweetness, love and sacrifice. Yet on the surface, in everyday life, her detachment overshadowed these most beautiful, most noble traits of her character It was only in tragic moments that my eyes were opened and I realised how little I knew my Mama.

Papa, on the other hand, was an extremely handsome man. Graceful, elegant, jocular, merry. Possessing a certain charm and magical attraction. He greatly loved children.

Papa worshiped Mama.  He left everything in her hands, knowing her enterprise, her talent in this respect and her desire to govern and to rule. This suited him because he did not like problems or worries. Not only money - of which, as a specialist, he earned a great deal for those times. But also the whole conduct of our home, the administration of possessions, estates, etc.

Thanks to Mama's resourcefulness, all worries passed him by. On the other hand he helped friends, colleagues, acquaintances and all who needed it, even strangers. When the need to help arose - he helped.
 
Not only with words of comfort.  Loans of money, finding situations (he had influence and respect) - he was always ready to give his last to those in need with a sympathetic heart.