Quoted from preface:-
"Remembering the Holocaust years is a very painful process: it tears you apart. It is difficult and at the same time, unforgivable to forget, especially as the ugly head of anti-Semitism rises again with the ramblings of Zundel, Keegstra and others. As a witness to the Holocaust I feel a sense of responsibility to tell the stories, as painful as it might be.
"Forgiveness is a virtue, but I am not able to forgive.
"I cannot forgive the calculated plan to destroy a people.
"I cannot and never will forgive the theft of my youthful innocence; of showing me the darker side of mankind — the darkest side. I cannot and never will forgive the theft of a normal childhood and adulthood. I cannot and never will forgive being uprooted from the nurturing of my family, community and traditional life. I cannot and never will forgive the annihilation of my parents, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, my whole family.
"I have become an orphan.
"While the Germans worked out the annihilation plan they had many collaborators:
"Ukrainians, Poles and others, all willing and anxious to help. As misguided as they might have been, I cannot forgive the cruelties and indignities they perpetrated on us, the Jews.
"As I look back on the Holocaust years I can see the step by step plan to break our spirits and our bodies. I promised my mother that I would try to survive, as they believed that if I would live, they would all live through me. But from the first day after the capitulation of the Polish army, and the German occupation of Poland the reign of terror began and never subsided until liberation and the end of the war.
"We were uprooted from our homes, moved around, deprived of our livelihood, subjected to beatings, humiliation and constant killings. Without warning, there was terror in our hearts each and everyday of the war."
Not just profoundly touching, but that sums up the only possible attitude for anyone who believes in, sides with, justice.
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"After Poland was occupied, the Germans divided Poland into two separate parts. One part of the country, from Lodz to Upper Silesia, as well as Danzig (Gdansk) and its district and Poznan with its district were completely annexed and declared part of the Greater German Reich. The districts of Warsaw, Lublin, Kielce, Radom as well as Western Galicia were declared as the Polish protectorate of Germany. The Germans then decreed, that the Polish protectorate were to have their own currency (zlotys), as well as its own police force. The Polish police were given a distinct Polish uniform (blue – in Polish granat). The polish police were called the Granatowa Police. The Polish police in the blue uniforms were subjected to the orders of the occupation authorities. They meticulously carried out all the orders of the occupant.
"In addition, the Germans had their own military force and a militia. They also recruited criminal elements as assistants. They freed all the criminals from the jails and used them as a punishment cadre. When the Germans decided to torture or murder some people, they used the criminals for that purpose. These were called the “punishment expedition”"
"A short time later several civilians arrived from Germany, they interrogated the Jewish craftsmen and paid special attention to the broom makers. They consequently entered several orders for brooms, at attractive prices. Hundreds of Jews won employment in the broom industry. They remained at their work until the very last minute before they were deported.
"Many shoemakers were also employed by the Germans. They produced quality boots and shoes for the S.S. and for the police. Skilled tailors were given employment. They produced custom-made uniforms for the high officers of the army and for other government functionaries."
"The situation took a turn for the worse in the middle of 1940. It got worse from day to day. New requests were made by the Germans to the Judenrat.
"First, decree forbade Jews to engage in commerce or work in some specified positions. Then came an order prohibiting Jews to live on (or in) streets or even be seen on those streets. This followed by an order that Jews must carry white armbands on their arms. Jews were forbidden to ride in autos, and also forbidden to travel from one town to the other."
................................................................................................
"After Poland was occupied, the Germans divided Poland into two separate parts. One part of the country, from Lodz to Upper Silesia, as well as Danzig (Gdansk) and its district and Poznan with its district were completely annexed and declared part of the Greater German Reich. The districts of Warsaw, Lublin, Kielce, Radom as well as Western Galicia were declared as the Polish protectorate of Germany. The Germans then decreed, that the Polish protectorate were to have their own currency (zlotys), as well as its own police force. The Polish police were given a distinct Polish uniform (blue – in Polish granat). The polish police were called the Granatowa Police. The Polish police in the blue uniforms were subjected to the orders of the occupation authorities. They meticulously carried out all the orders of the occupant.
"In addition, the Germans had their own military force and a militia. They also recruited criminal elements as assistants. They freed all the criminals from the jails and used them as a punishment cadre. When the Germans decided to torture or murder some people, they used the criminals for that purpose. These were called the “punishment expedition”"
"A short time later several civilians arrived from Germany, they interrogated the Jewish craftsmen and paid special attention to the broom makers. They consequently entered several orders for brooms, at attractive prices. Hundreds of Jews won employment in the broom industry. They remained at their work until the very last minute before they were deported.
"Many shoemakers were also employed by the Germans. They produced quality boots and shoes for the S.S. and for the police. Skilled tailors were given employment. They produced custom-made uniforms for the high officers of the army and for other government functionaries."
"The situation took a turn for the worse in the middle of 1940. It got worse from day to day. New requests were made by the Germans to the Judenrat.
"First, decree forbade Jews to engage in commerce or work in some specified positions. Then came an order prohibiting Jews to live on (or in) streets or even be seen on those streets. This followed by an order that Jews must carry white armbands on their arms. Jews were forbidden to ride in autos, and also forbidden to travel from one town to the other."
................................................................................................
"One day, at 5 o’clock in the morning, the whole town was suddenly encircled by the S.S. police. With the assistance of the Polish police, they succeeded to detain the 80 men. I was one of those 80."
"All 80 of us were squeezed into one freight car. The doors were then hermetically sealed.
"We traveled for 3 days and nights, without food or water or sanitary facilities. The train stopped once at a certain station. We were all half-dead. Our wagon was pelted with stones. Many times we were shot at. Two of our people were wounded. After a while, we heard the whistle of the engine and we began to travel again, until we reached Lublin.
"The sealed cars were opened from both sides. S.S. men were there to meet us. No sooner did we step down from the wagon, when the S.S. men began to beat us with their whips. Their wild shrieks could be heard for a mile. “Heraus Juden” (“Jews out!”) they yelled and kept on whipping us."
They were taken to Majdanek, and later to the Russian border, all the while beaten, tortured, starved and more.
"We build trenches at the Russian border.
"When we reached Naral, they drove us into an old, large almost ruined flour mill. A local shoemaker lived there. He was Jewish. He told us that most of the Jews in the village were shot by the Germans. His life was spared, because the Germans considered him to be a “useful” Jew, whom they could use.
"The wealthy former owner of the mill committed suicide in his house. His wife and two children were shot by the Germans.
"Tired, exhausted and half-dead, we lied down on the floor. We were thoroughly drenched by the rain. The Germans left us alone for two days. Early in the morning on the third day, they began driving us. All we were given to eat was some stale bread and what they called coffee. We have hardly finished eating, when the S.S. guard began yelling: Hurry-up, get in line. We began to run, fearing further beatings. They led us through fields, until we reached an area, where we saw many red poles. This appeared to be the border.
"We came very close to the border. A German officer immediately issued an order, that no one is allowed to look to the right, along the border line. Whoever will look there, will be shot on the spot.
"We formed into a line, everyone was given a shovel and told how to dig. Right after that, an automobile arrived and the infamous German murderer Dolf emerged. He was dressed in civilian clothes, and wore a white overcoat. In his hand was a leather cane.
When he came closer to our lines he asked if everyone is Jewish. Yes, we all answered. The murderer Dolf marched along the entire line with his cane in his hands, and began beating indiscriminately, in the most brutal way, until very many began bleeding. He then returned to his auto and left. We stood there, bloodied, with the shovels in our hands and were forced to continue digging. The Germans instructed us how to do our work."
"One day, at 5 o’clock in the morning, the whole town was suddenly encircled by the S.S. police. With the assistance of the Polish police, they succeeded to detain the 80 men. I was one of those 80."
"All 80 of us were squeezed into one freight car. The doors were then hermetically sealed.
"We traveled for 3 days and nights, without food or water or sanitary facilities. The train stopped once at a certain station. We were all half-dead. Our wagon was pelted with stones. Many times we were shot at. Two of our people were wounded. After a while, we heard the whistle of the engine and we began to travel again, until we reached Lublin.
"The sealed cars were opened from both sides. S.S. men were there to meet us. No sooner did we step down from the wagon, when the S.S. men began to beat us with their whips. Their wild shrieks could be heard for a mile. “Heraus Juden” (“Jews out!”) they yelled and kept on whipping us."
................................................................................................
They were taken to Majdanek, and later to the Russian border, all the while beaten, tortured, starved and more.
"We build trenches at the Russian border.
"When we reached Naral, they drove us into an old, large almost ruined flour mill. A local shoemaker lived there. He was Jewish. He told us that most of the Jews in the village were shot by the Germans. His life was spared, because the Germans considered him to be a “useful” Jew, whom they could use.
"The wealthy former owner of the mill committed suicide in his house. His wife and two children were shot by the Germans.
"Tired, exhausted and half-dead, we lied down on the floor. We were thoroughly drenched by the rain. The Germans left us alone for two days. Early in the morning on the third day, they began driving us. All we were given to eat was some stale bread and what they called coffee. We have hardly finished eating, when the S.S. guard began yelling: Hurry-up, get in line. We began to run, fearing further beatings. They led us through fields, until we reached an area, where we saw many red poles. This appeared to be the border.
"We came very close to the border. A German officer immediately issued an order, that no one is allowed to look to the right, along the border line. Whoever will look there, will be shot on the spot.
"We formed into a line, everyone was given a shovel and told how to dig. Right after that, an automobile arrived and the infamous German murderer Dolf emerged. He was dressed in civilian clothes, and wore a white overcoat. In his hand was a leather cane.
When he came closer to our lines he asked if everyone is Jewish. Yes, we all answered. The murderer Dolf marched along the entire line with his cane in his hands, and began beating indiscriminately, in the most brutal way, until very many began bleeding. He then returned to his auto and left. We stood there, bloodied, with the shovels in our hands and were forced to continue digging. The Germans instructed us how to do our work."
................................................................................................
"One cloudy morning, after we came to work, several of us decided to run for it and cross the border. It was not too difficult. All one had to do was be strong and determined and be ready to risk his life.
"Thus quite a few crossed over the border."
"The punishment was handed out to those of us who remained. As a first step, the Germans picked out 30 men and shot them."
"Despite all the cruel punishment, there were still some among us who took the risk again and ran across the border. In response, the S.S. instituted a still harsher regime of punishment. Every day, 10 men from among us were shot. Security along the border line was increased, with many more men guarding the border. But despite the unheard of cruelty, there were still quite a number who risked their life and ran."
"Our desperate situation became worse. There remained no place to escape, and the torture increased. We were driven in our clothes into the river, and ordered to lie flat on our stomachs. And then the Germans began to shoot at us. Some nights we were ordered to undress completely and then we were driven into the cold river. The Germans enjoyed this sort of torture.
"I remember the case of one of our fellow inmates, his name was Yoel Melman, a landsman from Opatow. They ordered him to put on 10 military winter coats, and march forward. But he could not move at all. He made every effort to run, but unfortunately he failed. Then the Germans shot him on the spot.
"They ordered another man to undress completely and jump into the river. When he was already in the water, the Germans began practicing shooting on him. They derived much pleasure in doing it. Several bullets hit him and he fell and drowned.
"Another time, they tried out one of us. They ordered him to run across the border. As he began running a second group of S.S. men started shooting. Hit by flying bullets, he finally fell and died. This situation lasted for four solid months.
"Then the days began growing shorter and colder. We were literally naked and barefoot. Winter was approaching. Early mornings were particularly cold. Many mornings the temperature was down to below zero. We had to sleep on the cold floor. There were no quilts or covers."
Aaron escaped and walked home through forest. His parents wept with joy to see him alive. Germans were now shooting and torturing people, and soon ghetto was established, before deportations to extermination camps began.
"While being driven, we heard the steady cries and moaning of women and children, who were shot on the spot. Families were being separated. Whenever the murderers saw several people marching together, they immediately separated them. They spread panic and confusion. The cries became louder and louder.
"I walked with my family. When we reached the square, we saw a huge mass of people, some with packs, others without anything. Women were carrying their small children, led the second child by the hand and the third was running and catching up. Some men and women could hardly stand on their feet. Some mothers carried newly-born infants, covered in cushions or blankets. Those who HAD REFUSED to leave their homes were shot on the spot."
Several people were shot.
"I was standing next to my parents. Suddenly I felt a terrible pain. I was hit with a very heavy object. The pain was unbearable. Someone ordered me: Get out of the line. You are still fit for work. I was afraid that I will be hit again. I was not given the chance to say good-bye to my parents and sisters. I just looked at them. I began to realize that this may be the last time I looked at my parents and sisters.
"The S.S. man grabbed me and dragged me to a place, where some others were standing.
"During the five years of the German occupation, I spent days, weeks and months in different places. My life was hanging in the balance every minute of the day. The question was: Will I survive or perish?
"To this day, I cannot forget the last moment, when I was separated from my family. Why did I leave them? Maybe it is my fault that I left them to be murdered by the Nazis? While I myself was saved?"
Aaron and others, 50 selected young boys and girls, were made to clean up after the murders in streets by SS after they watched their families being taken to train station for extermination camps. Next day they were taken around house by house through ghetto, cleaning up after SS shot anyone including babies, children, old people and weak who remained.
"It should be noted that many Jews were killed by Polish policemen, who served their Nazi masters well."
"One cloudy morning, after we came to work, several of us decided to run for it and cross the border. It was not too difficult. All one had to do was be strong and determined and be ready to risk his life.
"Thus quite a few crossed over the border."
"The punishment was handed out to those of us who remained. As a first step, the Germans picked out 30 men and shot them."
"Despite all the cruel punishment, there were still some among us who took the risk again and ran across the border. In response, the S.S. instituted a still harsher regime of punishment. Every day, 10 men from among us were shot. Security along the border line was increased, with many more men guarding the border. But despite the unheard of cruelty, there were still quite a number who risked their life and ran."
"Our desperate situation became worse. There remained no place to escape, and the torture increased. We were driven in our clothes into the river, and ordered to lie flat on our stomachs. And then the Germans began to shoot at us. Some nights we were ordered to undress completely and then we were driven into the cold river. The Germans enjoyed this sort of torture.
"I remember the case of one of our fellow inmates, his name was Yoel Melman, a landsman from Opatow. They ordered him to put on 10 military winter coats, and march forward. But he could not move at all. He made every effort to run, but unfortunately he failed. Then the Germans shot him on the spot.
"They ordered another man to undress completely and jump into the river. When he was already in the water, the Germans began practicing shooting on him. They derived much pleasure in doing it. Several bullets hit him and he fell and drowned.
"Another time, they tried out one of us. They ordered him to run across the border. As he began running a second group of S.S. men started shooting. Hit by flying bullets, he finally fell and died. This situation lasted for four solid months.
"Then the days began growing shorter and colder. We were literally naked and barefoot. Winter was approaching. Early mornings were particularly cold. Many mornings the temperature was down to below zero. We had to sleep on the cold floor. There were no quilts or covers."
................................................................................................
Aaron escaped and walked home through forest. His parents wept with joy to see him alive. Germans were now shooting and torturing people, and soon ghetto was established, before deportations to extermination camps began.
"While being driven, we heard the steady cries and moaning of women and children, who were shot on the spot. Families were being separated. Whenever the murderers saw several people marching together, they immediately separated them. They spread panic and confusion. The cries became louder and louder.
"I walked with my family. When we reached the square, we saw a huge mass of people, some with packs, others without anything. Women were carrying their small children, led the second child by the hand and the third was running and catching up. Some men and women could hardly stand on their feet. Some mothers carried newly-born infants, covered in cushions or blankets. Those who HAD REFUSED to leave their homes were shot on the spot."
Several people were shot.
"I was standing next to my parents. Suddenly I felt a terrible pain. I was hit with a very heavy object. The pain was unbearable. Someone ordered me: Get out of the line. You are still fit for work. I was afraid that I will be hit again. I was not given the chance to say good-bye to my parents and sisters. I just looked at them. I began to realize that this may be the last time I looked at my parents and sisters.
"The S.S. man grabbed me and dragged me to a place, where some others were standing.
"During the five years of the German occupation, I spent days, weeks and months in different places. My life was hanging in the balance every minute of the day. The question was: Will I survive or perish?
"To this day, I cannot forget the last moment, when I was separated from my family. Why did I leave them? Maybe it is my fault that I left them to be murdered by the Nazis? While I myself was saved?"
Aaron and others, 50 selected young boys and girls, were made to clean up after the murders in streets by SS after they watched their families being taken to train station for extermination camps. Next day they were taken around house by house through ghetto, cleaning up after SS shot anyone including babies, children, old people and weak who remained.
"It should be noted that many Jews were killed by Polish policemen, who served their Nazi masters well."
................................................................................................
They were taken to ghetto in another town.
"Epidemics, caused by the congestion, broke out. Hunger became more prevalent. While in the Ghetto in Opatow, we were all from the same town and knew almost everyone. We trusted each other. But here, in the Ghetto in Kazimierz, there were so many strangers. Few knew each other and hardly trusted each other."
"There were many who refused to believe that the Jews are being taken to their deaths. However after the deportations in the towns and villages took place, it became clear to those who managed to escape what deportation means. Those who came to the ghetto in Kazimierz knew for sure, what fate had in store for them."
"Everyone of the deportees knew that this was the final march to their deaths. I cannot find the words to describe the depth of the tragedy. There were no medicines in the Ghetto in Kazimierz. The Germans forbid the use of any medication. The Jewish doctor was ordered not to treat anyone, but notify immediately the S.S. of any ill patient. He was forced to supply a list of sick Jews to the S.S. on a daily basis. Those on the list were immediately liquidated. The killing of the sick was entrusted to an S.S. officer, a short, fat guy, whose meanness knew no limits. He always wore white gloves when shooting the victims."
"I myself saw two children being taken away from their mother and put on a wagon, with the obvious intent of taking them out of the Ghetto and killing them. They said to the mother of the two children: You are still capable to work. You stay behind. But the woman clung to the wagon and kept on yelling. The Nazi beat her mercilessly, but could not tear her away from the wagon. Finally the German agreed that she should take back one of her two children. She could not decide which one she should take, the boy or the girl. The girl was 12 years old. The mother grabbed the boy first, but immediately after, she said she wanted the girl. Maybe she thought that since the girl is already older and bigger, she will be able to better take care of herself. I will never forget how the mother became hysterical and could not decide which child she should pick. But the German made his own decision. He shot the mother on the spot. The children, seeing their mother dead, began to cry uncontrollably, they were taken away to their death."
Aaron escaped ghetto and walked. A farmer fed him and told him to go to Rakower forest where he'd find Jewish partisans. He met other Jews and heard their story.
"In 1940, the Germans gathered all Jews of Tarnobrzeg — young and old, men, women and children — in one big square. The older people were segregated from everybody else and kept separately. The younger people were ordered to dig deep trenches. This completed, the Germans shot everybody. The three young men, whom I met in the cellar managed to turn away and escape. They escaped into the forest and met here several hundred other Jews. The Germans didn’t dare to come into the forest."
The escaped Jews were in touch with Polish partisans, and had arms and ammunition.
They were taken to ghetto in another town.
"Epidemics, caused by the congestion, broke out. Hunger became more prevalent. While in the Ghetto in Opatow, we were all from the same town and knew almost everyone. We trusted each other. But here, in the Ghetto in Kazimierz, there were so many strangers. Few knew each other and hardly trusted each other."
"There were many who refused to believe that the Jews are being taken to their deaths. However after the deportations in the towns and villages took place, it became clear to those who managed to escape what deportation means. Those who came to the ghetto in Kazimierz knew for sure, what fate had in store for them."
"Everyone of the deportees knew that this was the final march to their deaths. I cannot find the words to describe the depth of the tragedy. There were no medicines in the Ghetto in Kazimierz. The Germans forbid the use of any medication. The Jewish doctor was ordered not to treat anyone, but notify immediately the S.S. of any ill patient. He was forced to supply a list of sick Jews to the S.S. on a daily basis. Those on the list were immediately liquidated. The killing of the sick was entrusted to an S.S. officer, a short, fat guy, whose meanness knew no limits. He always wore white gloves when shooting the victims."
"I myself saw two children being taken away from their mother and put on a wagon, with the obvious intent of taking them out of the Ghetto and killing them. They said to the mother of the two children: You are still capable to work. You stay behind. But the woman clung to the wagon and kept on yelling. The Nazi beat her mercilessly, but could not tear her away from the wagon. Finally the German agreed that she should take back one of her two children. She could not decide which one she should take, the boy or the girl. The girl was 12 years old. The mother grabbed the boy first, but immediately after, she said she wanted the girl. Maybe she thought that since the girl is already older and bigger, she will be able to better take care of herself. I will never forget how the mother became hysterical and could not decide which child she should pick. But the German made his own decision. He shot the mother on the spot. The children, seeing their mother dead, began to cry uncontrollably, they were taken away to their death."
................................................................................................
Aaron escaped ghetto and walked. A farmer fed him and told him to go to Rakower forest where he'd find Jewish partisans. He met other Jews and heard their story.
"In 1940, the Germans gathered all Jews of Tarnobrzeg — young and old, men, women and children — in one big square. The older people were segregated from everybody else and kept separately. The younger people were ordered to dig deep trenches. This completed, the Germans shot everybody. The three young men, whom I met in the cellar managed to turn away and escape. They escaped into the forest and met here several hundred other Jews. The Germans didn’t dare to come into the forest."
The escaped Jews were in touch with Polish partisans, and had arms and ammunition.
................................................................................................
"The Polish partisans in the neighbouring forest; the so-called “A-K” (the name stood for the initials of ARMJA KRAJOWA, the Polish national Army), were organized by the Polish government in exile. They received from the Government-in-exile arms, planes, medical supplies and food. They received their instructions from that Polish government.
"One morning, a group from the Polish partisans came to the Tarnobrzeg forest and told the Jews that they were instructed to confiscate all the weapons in the possession of the Jews, since they need the ammunition for themselves. They claimed that they are organizing attacks against the Germans and they lack sufficient arms and must get all the arms possible. The Polish partisans told the Jews they can live safely in the forest, without ammunition.
"The answer of the Jews was, that they are prepared to join the Polish partisans in their attacks on the Germans, but that they cannot remain in the forest without ammunition. The Jews understood that once they will part with the ammunition that their lives will be in grave danger. When the Polish A-K partisans realized that the Jews will not give them the ammunition, they opened fire. A number of Jews were killed there and then. The Jews then replied with fire, and a number of the A-K were also killed. The battle continued for some time, until the Jewish ammunition was exhausted. The A-K partisans celebrated their victory over the Jews by expelling all Jewish survivors from the forest. This was the story of the Jews whom I met in the cellar."
Aaron volunteered to look and went, and had several fortunate escapes after sheltering in one place after another. Some Poles helped, but no stable shelter was forthcoming.
"I arrived in the village and went to an old acquaintance. He and other acquaintances told me the same thing. Everyone was afraid to have me stay with them for more than one night. The farmers told me, that for harboring a Jew, one can be shot. Stool pigeons abound and they are watching every step. Anyone telling where a Jew is hiding, gets a prize of 1,000 zloty. Jews have “become a profitable commodity”, my acquaintance said. I had no alternative and turned back towards Kazimierz. When I was already near the camp, I met an old acquaintance by the name Kutchi-Sobol and told him about my desperate situation. You cannot find a place to hide, and all roads lead to death. When you meet someone and you don’t know who he or she is, you fear the worst. My acquaintance could not give me any help, not even a reply to my story."
He contacted partisans.
"Once, when I came on a mission to the partisans, I was told that the partisans will not accept any more Jews in their ranks. The reason that I was given was that the A.K.’s (members of the Polish National Army A.K.) are looking for Jews, whom they hated. I was also told that a few days ago,aA group of A.K.’s lured away eight Jews, took away their clothing and money and shot them.
Aaron managed to find a small farmhouse where a farmer hid them, and they survived until the liberation, but it was chaotic as war wasn't over yet. He got shot at one point, and was hospitalised until after the war was over.
"The situation of the Jewish survivors was very tragic. The Poles did not relish the sight of any Jewish survivors. A lot of them said, that if Hitler failed to murder ANY Jews, we will complete the job. And this is what happened to many.
"A bloody pogrom took place in Kielce, with close to 50 victims.
"Several Jews who returned to Opatow were shot by the Poles. I decided to immediately leave Opatow. From Opatow I went to lower Silesia, where a semblance of Jewish life was being reestablished. There I met a number of my landsleit from Opatow."
"The Polish partisans in the neighbouring forest; the so-called “A-K” (the name stood for the initials of ARMJA KRAJOWA, the Polish national Army), were organized by the Polish government in exile. They received from the Government-in-exile arms, planes, medical supplies and food. They received their instructions from that Polish government.
"One morning, a group from the Polish partisans came to the Tarnobrzeg forest and told the Jews that they were instructed to confiscate all the weapons in the possession of the Jews, since they need the ammunition for themselves. They claimed that they are organizing attacks against the Germans and they lack sufficient arms and must get all the arms possible. The Polish partisans told the Jews they can live safely in the forest, without ammunition.
"The answer of the Jews was, that they are prepared to join the Polish partisans in their attacks on the Germans, but that they cannot remain in the forest without ammunition. The Jews understood that once they will part with the ammunition that their lives will be in grave danger. When the Polish A-K partisans realized that the Jews will not give them the ammunition, they opened fire. A number of Jews were killed there and then. The Jews then replied with fire, and a number of the A-K were also killed. The battle continued for some time, until the Jewish ammunition was exhausted. The A-K partisans celebrated their victory over the Jews by expelling all Jewish survivors from the forest. This was the story of the Jews whom I met in the cellar."
Aaron volunteered to look and went, and had several fortunate escapes after sheltering in one place after another. Some Poles helped, but no stable shelter was forthcoming.
"I arrived in the village and went to an old acquaintance. He and other acquaintances told me the same thing. Everyone was afraid to have me stay with them for more than one night. The farmers told me, that for harboring a Jew, one can be shot. Stool pigeons abound and they are watching every step. Anyone telling where a Jew is hiding, gets a prize of 1,000 zloty. Jews have “become a profitable commodity”, my acquaintance said. I had no alternative and turned back towards Kazimierz. When I was already near the camp, I met an old acquaintance by the name Kutchi-Sobol and told him about my desperate situation. You cannot find a place to hide, and all roads lead to death. When you meet someone and you don’t know who he or she is, you fear the worst. My acquaintance could not give me any help, not even a reply to my story."
He contacted partisans.
"Once, when I came on a mission to the partisans, I was told that the partisans will not accept any more Jews in their ranks. The reason that I was given was that the A.K.’s (members of the Polish National Army A.K.) are looking for Jews, whom they hated. I was also told that a few days ago,aA group of A.K.’s lured away eight Jews, took away their clothing and money and shot them.
................................................................................................
Aaron managed to find a small farmhouse where a farmer hid them, and they survived until the liberation, but it was chaotic as war wasn't over yet. He got shot at one point, and was hospitalised until after the war was over.
"The situation of the Jewish survivors was very tragic. The Poles did not relish the sight of any Jewish survivors. A lot of them said, that if Hitler failed to murder ANY Jews, we will complete the job. And this is what happened to many.
"A bloody pogrom took place in Kielce, with close to 50 victims.
"Several Jews who returned to Opatow were shot by the Poles. I decided to immediately leave Opatow. From Opatow I went to lower Silesia, where a semblance of Jewish life was being reestablished. There I met a number of my landsleit from Opatow."
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February 24, 2020 - February 24, 2020.
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February 24, 2020 - February 24, 2020.
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