Letter VII, no date[1]
Dear Boys! You would not believe how much joy give us with your friendly letters which utter heartfelt attitude, positive reaction and compassion – indeed, it is nice to think that in the see of hatred and evil which surrounds us, there are tens of warm Polish hearts close to us and ready to take care of us. Thought that not only in our homeland but near here, somebody dear to us waits for us, allows us to overcome hard times and helps us survive. If our letters seem dry or cold, do not be surprised – for many years, we have been forced to hide our feelings to such an extent that we have mastered our ability to adapt to such harsh and inhuman conditions. As a result, we have lost at least partially our soft feminine nature. Please understand that the external form is not a measurement of our feelings.
You know more or less our current conditions from our previous letters. Since the last week, not much has changed. The needs of our operated friends are the same. Only one of them feels very bad. Since the previous transports to Neubrandenburg and Carlsbad, there have been no new ones. Anyway, most Poles have been sent away, so few to choose from. The groups of prisoners working outside of the camp, so-called “aussen” in the past consisting mainly of Poles, are now replaced by asocial Germans and Gypsies. They left a few Poles whom they were not able to return. They left Poles working in so-called army “betriebs” and sewing workshops. The conditions of our compatriots sent away to the factories are horrible. The working conditions are not as unbearable as the awareness of what is produced, which kills – making eyes filled with tears. The end is near, and we will not be able to cope with that, but it is not valid. They could force us even more, and we had to push the card farther. They send us to: Gruneberg, Velten (20 km out of Berlin) Genthina, Neubrandenburg and Carlsbad. These are ammunition factories or partly factories of parts for planes, machine guns or howitzers. Ammunition is packed on the spot. The details of other products are sent to different locations to assemble them. Our girls work there 12 hours daily. Guards treat them horribly; they beat and kick them etc. The local population has a negative attitude to workers. They are not aware entirely of the situation that our girls who are political prisoners sent there are forced against their will to work in those factories. In some factories, German supervisors proposed to raise payments as an incentive to increase production. Poles firmly refused to accept such incentives. They stated that they do such labour against their will and conviction. It seems Germany finally understood it. Bars gave the lie to German propaganda that political prisoners are treated well and have their rights. But we will overcome all that humiliation, and as far as the ammunition is concerned, someday it will be needed in Great Poland. We believe that things that happen here will be waged on the scale of everlasting Justice and Wisdom. The judgment will be given soon! And yet often, when we go out of the camp to work, we see the beautiful landscape of the Mecklenburg region, which wakes up melancholy in our hearts. Here and in our homeland, wind whistles and golden leaves fall down the same way, yet our homeland, soaked with sacred blood, is so dear to us, and here, the land so beautiful yet foreign, hostile and horrible. And by now, we know that you have the same feeling. That you long as we do, to quiet and narrow streets of the Old Town and green fields along Bug River. Dear Boys, you encourage us to ask you to choose different favours. Naturally, we want to, and even more, we must ask you to do us favours since we do not have anybody as close as you are. It is a sad thing talking about our contact with home. Our letters are written in German and pass a strict control which does not allow us to report accurate information. We would tremendously appreciate it if you could help us in the matter. The second request: We ask you to bring us the promised books. We dream about some good books – one of us said that she would give half of her life to read again “Wyrąbany Chodnik”[2]
Well, it seems the statement is out of proportion; we hardly are eager to give up our lives, but please provide us with good books. There is another essential thing. We have sent you a part of our artistic work and are willing to do it again. Could you preserve and save those items now and carry them out to freedom? We are sending you several of our poems and a picture – the symbol. Please forgive us for so many requests. We thank you so much if you can fulfill them.
And now, Dear Boys, let’s talk about you. As far as we remember, your count was 50 prisoners, yet you tell us that you count 36. Where did the rest of them disappear? Give us the format and measurement of “Eagles” you want – we will be proud that we will help you in such away. White Eagle will return to its proper place: spread wings, Poland will be reborn from sea to sea. We must survive and return home, whereby the strength of many years of longing and desire to act, we build Poland as a powerful state, and nobody can bend or break our iron will. There are many of us in that foreign land.
You may not know that behind the camp wall, there are other prisoners – Poles who want to have contact with you. Next time we will pass their letter to you. We do not doubt that you appreciate our help in connecting them with you. Together, united and organized, we may become a respectful force in that hostile land. Now I would like to touch on another important matter of the Holy Communion that you suggested earlier. We are so deeply moved that we do not know what to say. Can you imagine that since our arrest, some of us even earlier (about three or more years), we have not gone to Confession and have not received Holy Communion? It is impossible to describe the tremendous feelings that overflow our hearts just thinking about getting those sacraments. We do not know if it is possible to do that since we do not have a chance to go to Confession. You write that some conditions must be fulfilled to receive those Sacraments. You decide whether your suggestion in the matter is possible without Confession. Ensure that all Communion material is protected – during transport, negative things can happen. Once more we ask you, if it is possible to do it in our conditions, please do it! And the last thing – your “Dzwon” – the periodic which we love so much – if it is still being issued, please send it to us.
It represents your feelings that we understand so well, yet they are different from ours.
It is a voice of Poland calling for action! Lately, an English flier somehow ended up in our camp area, and after being translated, it circulated among us. From time to time, we can get even such things. One more, the fall has come. With a fog wandering in fields are our sadness and broken hearts. But this set-aside heads up; it will be our last fall. We see spring in our national colours, then we will sing on May 3rd – “Poland has not perished yet.”
Czuwaj[3]
[1] Handwriting unrecognized. The letter was written in the second half of September, but before September 28th, it had a request for Holly Communion. As mentioned in a letter dated October 2nd is already in the camp. Additionally, the author of the letter informs that situation of the operated prisoners has not been changed since last week, which allows assuming that more details in the matter were provided earlier. The information was probably delivered in the letter dated September 16th, 1943.
[2] Written by well-known Polish author Gustav Morcinek. In two volumes the book presents the story of a teenage boy who loves books and has to work hard in coal mine to support his family –translator’s comment
[3] ‘Be Prepared’ scouts motto– translator’s comment