Chapter 7

Soon after our ordeal in the country, a neighbor brought us the latest news. Large notices were being pasted on fences, government buildings and specially made bulletin boards. The order was to give up all warm clothing, pillows and blankets without delay. The notice warned of a house-to-house search. This was to be the last call for the articles.

"Maria, where are all our warm woolen blankets?"

Maria enlightened me. "The Germans have already confiscated them."

"How come Grandpa has his green, woolen one?"

Grandpa replied smugly. "I told them, 'I'm an old man. I need it to keep me warm, as you see, we don't have any heat in the house,' and the Germans with a gesture of disgust left it with me."

"Good for you Grandpa." I patted him on the shoulder.

That same day, I decided to go to town to purchase some foodstuffs. On the way I noticed the big placards notifying the civilian population, under pain of death, to hand over any arms, guns and powder in their possession. It would be considered sabotage otherwise; and the penalty ... death. I was glad we had sunk the items in the deep water.

They took the blankets, the radio, by decree. Oh, yes, the Nazis were covered by every decree in the book. Even tearing off the notices signified sabotage ... if caught.

I continued on my way to town for some food, but my heart was set on returning home to my children. I'll send the maid, I thought. She did so well up to now, probably she already made friends with the shopkeepers, in which case she could purchase the food items better than I. I returned home. I was frightened and afraid anything I did would cause trouble for us.

Just then, soldiers came pounding on the front door demanding warm clothing for displaced Germans, who were being settled on Polish territory. I left the room, soon returning with clothes ... all I could carry in my arms. They asked for warm blankets. "I have only those on the beds to cover us." We were allowed to keep them.

When Maria returned from town, she reported she had no luck. No food. But she did have disturbing news. The Nazi officials had an eye on my luxurious home.