Irena Pannenkowa, PhD, publicist. On November 28, 1941, she was arrested in Warsaw and imprisoned in Ravensbrück on May 31, 1942. On February 2, 1944, in the transport of sick and disabled people, she was sent, as it was believed in an unknown direction, to the Majdanek concentration camp, then to Auschwitz and was free on January 28, 1945.
Singing The moon's rays Burst through the bars, Darkness in the prison cell. How close is worldwide life? One jump - freedom is there! You won't jump, You won't smash the bars, And you won't blow up the gates. This near world is far away, Zosia, sing for us. In the prison cell, Silent singing. The Warsaw's song charm, Warsaw's sense of humour, The tragedy of defeat, you may hear the faith's passionate ardour: That the day will come, The people's anger will rise And locks will screech on prisoners' gates And the song of freedom soon will be heard. For Zosia Kwiecinska, in Pawiak prison, 15th May 1942
Arrival Sonderzug. Transport. And a military convoy. Schutzhaftgefange - that's us. Three hundred heads. Grandmothers, mothers, daughters and widows, who welcome us but dogs?. Five in ranks and file "March"! And silence. We go. Someone faints. In disgust, movement of the eyebrows. Halt! We stand, and the shadows of night are already crawling. Quiet, Only dogs are wretchedly growling. Ravensbruck, 31 May 1942