Letter IX, dated October 9th, 1943,[1]
Do not be surprised that we specially divide our correspondence. Last time we explained it to one of you. Now we would like to explain and clarify precisely the situation. As you know yourself, we are not a monolithic group. People from different social backgrounds, intellectual levels, and even different attitudes and political affiliations are among us. The differences are not so crucial since solidarity with the outside world prevails. The tight-knit group can only deal with certain things. In this case, members of our labour team are chosen haphazardly by the camp authorities. And even if we all get along at work or in everyday camp life, dealing with serious issues cannot involve the general population. Accidentally, for our labour team were chosen several girls from that close-knit group with the same ideological views. Initiating contacts with you and in what form the connections will be maintained in the future depends exclusively on us. After considering all aspects of the situation, we decided to proceed in the following way: One general letter will be written with content known to a broad group of people from our work team, and a separate note will be attached to it with information coming from our tight-knit group only. Please follow the same procedure when sending letters to us. Now let us get to the relevant matters.
We all (those from the tight-knit group) are imprisoned for belonging to the underground Organization. Some of us are advanced in work for the Organization and would again participate in our Nation’s struggle once outside the camp. Here we are imprisoned without any hope of getting freedom, yet we continue our work and fulfill our goals. Whether we return home or not, the history of Polish women in Ravensbrück and the general history of the camp are possibly extensive, and details must be exposed in the daylight – accurate and unchanged. Because of lack of evidence, it cannot be allowed our enemies to try to hide or dim their crimes before the eyes of the world.
We realize that if we cannot leave the camp, others who will have the chance may present the truth from a different perspective simply due to a lack of knowledge about specific facts or lack of interest in the matters. We took the position a long time ago, trying to achieve our goal differently. We succeeded to a certain degree, but there is much more to do since the task is tough to accomplish. Due to a lucky occasion like that, we may fulfil our plans thanks to your help. We hope that you do not refuse our request. Do not think that you deal with inexperienced and ill-considered girls who did not mature to deal with such things (in such way we were presented to you by our work team leader – please do not take it seriously – she treats us very well, but she does not participate in our activities and has no idea about our clandestine operations). As far as we are concerned, there are among us older women very experienced and responsible. The younger among us went through a lot as well. It gives us the right to do the job with full responsibility. We are surrounded by adverse elements and endangered by random searches, harassment etc. We have such knowledge in the situation that, together with all means of precaution, we can avoid any mishap by destroying important documents immediately in case of imminent danger. Despite the threat, ours and we assume you must finish the job. Now, it is how we imagine your help. First, we would like to know your capabilities, which means you are organized and have contacts? If not, your support may be limited to keeping our original unaltered documents in a safe place and carrying them to Freedom. If you are organized, we would like to know how you have capabilities. Do you have contact with some organizations, or are you casual, intermittent, or private? Maybe there is a situation that, despite your abilities which you might use while cooperating with us, we would be able to give you some points of contact you might use. Regardless of anything, we decided not to wait passively for an unknown end. We think that you, too, Dear Boys agree with our point of view, and if it is in your power, you will help us in the matter and honestly describe your capabilities. Our documentation is extensive, and we would like to give you the entire package (naturally, we will not be able to do it just now). We will wait for your response. We would like to know if the letters you send to us are written by the same persons (not always receive answers to our questions). On our side, we have the same persons to deal with correspondence. For precaution, please do not prepare the shipment for us unless you get confirmation from us that one of us or someone authorized by us will be waiting for it. When we arrive, let some of you come close or show up. When you hear password “czuwaj”[2] – it means everything is OK; otherwise, please do not leave anything! It would be everything on our part for now. We are waiting impatiently for your response.
***
Now we will give you some information regarding medical care in the camp. Nowadays it is regulated and sick stay in rewir or separate block. Previously seriously ill were only in rewir (much smaller accommodation), less severe cases got permission to stay in a partnership. Tuberculosis cases are separated – once stayed in “rewir” now in a separate block. However, nobody takes care of them – they are left without medical assistance. Those who end up there never return. Some die alone; others die by lethal injection administered by a doctor. The specialist in the “finishing” procedure used to be Dr. Rosenthal, who was no longer in the camp. All mental illness cases, regardless of type, are eliminated by lethal injection. Newborns are incinerated in so-called “Heizung” (general furnace providing heat to the shower room or rewir). In most cases of pregnancy, abortions are administered. Additionally, there were human cargos of the following category of sick prisoners sent out of the camp:
- Venereal
- Unable to work (old and disabled)
- Mentally ill
The shipments were for the mass executions– we do not have proof, but families of the victims (in the cargo of unable to work, they took two mothers of our fellow prisoners) did not get any news. The shipments included all nationalities. Poles were few among the above-described groups – among them relatively healthy persons. What seems out of place is that the cargo of old prisoners was sent under the pretext: “to peel potatoes, old and weak.” Since last year those wagons with prisoners sent away do not take place. It is not easy to collect the names of those sent out of Ravensbrück. The ones known to us are Jadwiga Wąsik (from Radom) and Adela Boguńska (from Krakow); the daughters of both women are with us. If we do not provide you with more names, remember those two as proof. (Both were taken in the shipment of those unable to work in March 1942).
P.S. – The sign on the letter is only for us: the letter is folded[3] with the date written on the top.
[1] Written by Zofia Pociłowska
[2] ‘Be Prepared’ scouts’ motto– translator’s comment
[3] In four parts