Behind Enemy Lines

Seventh Entry

August 20, 1943

We have been traveling for two months, Papa and I. After being captured, the Germans moved us around, eventually putting us and hundreds of other Jews inside a large train. I don’t know what happened to Mama and Druka but I pray they are safe. I asked someone where this train was heading and where the Germans were taking us. They told me we were going to a placement camp to work.

“To work? Is that why they captured us? Just only to work?” I asked.

“No, they want us to work, and then die. Those Germans hate us with passion.” An old woman informed. “It was because we are Jewish that they wanted us dead.” She added with venom.

I felt my body cringe with despair. I didn’t understand why anyone would hate someone because of their race. I was tired and I wanted to go home. I wanted my life to return to the way it used to be. I wanted Nicolai to be here, holding me in his tight strong arms.

“Papa please talk to me, what will happen to us? Will we see Mama and Druka again?” I asked as I looked at my Papa. He didn’t look at more nor considered the fact that I was talking to him.

I let out a heavy sigh as closed my eyes. I could hear the children sobbing as well as women and young girls. The men were quiet, as if they were a part of a funeral.

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The train ride eventually stopped somewhere. It was cold and as the doors were opened, snow greeted us proudly. There was a German officer and he shouted for us to get out quickly. We all did as told and immediately we were put into separate lines. The women went one way and they took the men another. I stood close to Papa, watching as the Germans pushed us through a gate.

It looked like a facility of some sort, possible some base. I saw two large factories and lots of cabins. The line moved pretty quickly and soon enough, Papa and I were led into a small building. Inside there were male German officer’s all shouting at us to undress.

I looked around and saw many men reluctant to obey. I didn’t hesitate as I saw a German hold out his gun and threatened us to strip. I took off every particle of my clothes and stood there naked next to Papa. I was cold, vulnerable and degraded. I covered my private as the line moved into another small room. It looked like a shower room, were they going to give us a bath?

As soon as we stepped inside, the doors closed from behind us and instantly ice cold water showered upon us. I screamed out in pain as I held my body. It was torture they were giving us. I wasn’t the only one screaming and as I looked at Papa, I saw that he was in pain but he remained quiet.

After that nightmare, the showered turned off and immediately we were dragged into another room where inside, German officers threw old clothes at us and yelled at us to get dressed. We all did as told and soon after we were moved into a different room.

It was a lot bigger than the first two and inside was two rows of barber seats. The Germans yelled at us and told us to sit down on those seats. I sat next to Papa and immediately a German man stood behind me and began to shave my hair off. I was petrified to move, even more degraded than ever. Papa stood silent the entire time. He showed some sort of courage, while I was trembling like a mouse.

Once that was done, I pulled off of my seat and shoved into yet another room. This appeared to have been the final room for that exit was right across. A German officer grabbed my arm and pulled me down into a long bench, on the other side was an old man with a needle. I looked over and saw Papa extend his arm out freely. I did the same and soon a painful sting erupted on my arm. That man was giving me a tattoo.

I flinched a few times but watched as the old man carved numbers onto my skin. By the time the man was done, blood oozed from my skin and on my arm were numbers.

When I was finally done, Papa and I along with a few others were the first to be let out. A German officer was waiting, he ordered us over to a table where another officer asked us for our names. He wrote them down in a book along with our numbers that were tattooed onto our arm.

“You shall now be called by these numbers. Disobey our command and you will die.” The German officer told me and every other man on the line. “Get into your cabins.” He ordered.

I looked over to see Papa already walking away from me. I had to hurry to catch up to him. I followed Papa into one of the many cabins here in this camp. It was small, cold and dirty. There were only five beds. Papa took the one closest to the window while I took the one next to his, but facing a wall. With us were three others. One was a young boy, possibly around the age of thirteen and the other two were older men.

I looked over to Papa who merely laid down on his bed. I couldn’t believe he was acting this way. Some unknown anger rose within me as I walked over to him and shook roughly.

“Papa! What’s wrong with you! Please say something to me! What will happen to us! Papa please tell me why we are here!” I begged as I shook him harder.

My papa got up and slapped me hard on the face. The cold sting was enough to render me speechless. The young boy in our cabin let out a gasp, as did the other two men.

“Mika, don’t ask me stupid questions when you know the answer is right in front of your face! You’re smarter than that! I’m sure Nicolai taught you better.” He spat as he laid back down onto his bed.