Chapter 33

Late in the month of December, 1944, a rumor spread in the camp that a large transport to the United States would take place in January of 1945. Internees were advised to fill out applications for any U.S. citizens or relatives at home.

Mary, who did not know the German or English languages, hoped to get help in filling out applications for her family living near Krakow in Poland. Upon seeing me, her heart jumped for joy. Maybe Radzia would help. She approached me. Shyly, she began her plea.

"Radzia, would you help me in filling out petitions, please? I would like to being my mother, father, two sisters and a brother with me to America. I'd be so very happy if you would." She stopped, fearful of refusal.

"Of course, I'll do it. Do you have your applications with you?"

"Yes, here they are, " replied Mary with a timid smile, as she handed me the papers.

"How many forms have you here?"

"I hope filling out five won't be too much trouble for you."

"Well, no, not very much. Let's start at them right away. As I read, you give me the correct information about persons involved."

Mary willingly recited the names and addresses and in a half-hour five petitions were ready.

"Thank you, Radzia. I'm so glad you helped me; in no way would I be able to do it myself. Thank you again." And she dashed off to the C.O. with the petitions.

In no time I had six more internees asking me for help. The total number completed was thirty.

Pondering the internees' desire to bring their families together, it occurred to me that I should try to do it for my family. All the Commanding Officer could say was "nein." I could try and hope for the best. I did not think anything would come of it. Nevertheless, I could make an attempt. I hurried to the office of the C.O.

"Herr Kommandant! Would it be possible for me to bring my family here for the next transport--my mother, husband, two sisters, two brothers-in-law and one niece?" I waited for a reply, all tensed.

"I don't see why it would hurt you if you filed petitions for your family, but it's no use writing an application for your husband, since he is in a prison camp. The authorities there would under no circumstances release him. Here are six forms; fill them out and bring them to my office." My heart sank with disappointment. This could have been a happy reunion. Edmund would not be with us.

"Ich danke Ihnen, Herr Kommandant [Thank you, Commandant]," I said and left to work on my petitions. This was on a Thursday; I returned them all filled out that same day. I was not hopeful. However, I did for my family what I had done for my friends. Now I put this matter out of my mind and went about my work.

Ten days elapsed. Then, one of the internees came running up to my room puffing, out of breath.

"What's the matter, Kate? What's the hurry?" I asked her.

"Oh, you have guests downstairs," she excitedly exclaimed. I shrugged my shoulders and muttered, "Who cares."

Not knowing who would be coming to the camp, since no visitors were allowed, and not having been previously informed, I took my time to meet my guests. After all, they might be some strangers who asked for me. Maybe it was a joke on the part of the internees.

I sauntered leisurely down the highly polished staircase, thinking who it might be. There, at the foot of the stairs, stood two women, bundled up, and a teenager.

Suddenly I heard my name "Radzia" and at that very moment I recognized my sister Lillian's voice. Like a bullet, I sped down the rest of the stairs. I did not expect them, and here they were. Oh, how happy I felt. I grabbed my mother in my arms, hugged and kissed her over and over again. "Oh, Mother, I'm so glad to see you alive. After what you went through in Warsaw during the insurrection, I never believed I would ever see you again. I love you so."

Next I embraced my sister, Lillian, and her daughter, Lilliana, who stood close by, anxiously awaiting turns to be hugged and kissed.

"Mother, how did you make the trip?" I asked, recalling the many days I spent en route to here. "Lillian, where are your husband, Priscilla and Hilary? They were also on the same list."

Lillian replied in a disappointed tone, "Michael, Priscilla and Hilary were not in the village at the time the guards came, and could not be reached in time for the transport. That's why they're not here. What their fate will be, no one knows."

"All this is very discouraging and sad. I couldn't get Edmund out of the officers' camp, either. We'll be going to America without him. I feel terrible about this. I wonder if we ever will be together again."

Although we were saddened by the absence of our loved ones, it was a hearty reunion for the four of us. Four and a half years was a long time to be separated in such fearful times. I had not seen Lillian since August, 1939, when she moved to Warsaw.

In the meantime, my niece impatiently asked," Where are Irene and Dana? I'd like to surprise them."

"Oh, they're walking in the courtyard, probably with the English nuns."

Friends surrounded us and awaited with hope for news from the outside, which these three persons could impart. I shooed them away until later.

"Please go and find Irene and Dana, and tell them they have guests. My mother and sister are tired and need to rest." We then went up to my room.

The three of them were given quarters in the same dormitory as mine.

When we finally settled down after more embracing, Lillian, the sister who took care of my daughters in Warsaw from November, 1942, to June, 1944, declared with a laugh, "Why, Radzia, at first I did not recognize the roly-poly woman descending the stairs. How ell you look! My, you sure put on a lot of weight since I last saw you. They must feed you well here."

On the other hand, neither my mother nor my sister looked starved either, thanks to Warsaw's black market.

My questions followed. "How come you are here so quickly? I filled out many applications for the internees to get their relatives here, but so far no one arrived. Only ten days ago, I filed yours and here you are. It's amazing! I wonder why?"

My mother, not listening to my question, declared, "Lillian didn't want to come. Her husband was somewhere in the countryside and the Germans could not reach or find him in time for the transport. But, she ultimately decided and her we are."

It was already January 15, 1945. A cold winter; snow on the ground. Another rumor. A transport to America soon.

Oh, so that's why the shipments of people were arriving. Now, this time, I was willing to go to the United States. I had my two children, my mother, my sister and my niece. If only my husband had been with us.

The C.O. notified me that my sister and her daughter would not be in the transport. "First in order are children; next, husband; then parents. Sisters and others will not be accepted in the transport."

"Alright. Then the four of us will be going ... my mother, the two girls and me."

Over the weekend hundreds of prisoners from many camps poured in. Some were from extermination camps--emaciated, lame, sick, all for the big exchange transport of January, 1945--about 1,000 prisoners to go to the United States.