We move on toward the high, dry places, to the summit. We proceed cautiously, ever on the alert, bedeviled by many problems. For good reason the wetlands are called “a land that devours its inhabitants.”
Last night I took part in an attack not far from the base, on an enemy patrol that had followed us. We attacked along with a squad that covered for us, but in the end it was a limited success. The enemy patrol was able to retreat with its wounded, leaving behind a rifle and two magazines. One of our fighters was lightly wounded in his arm.
Again, it’s clear: they are not letting us be. The weather and the swamps do not prevent them from tracking us. If we had considered cutting back on our patrols and ambushes and making raids far away from the base, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we won’t be able to do so. They will not easily give up on a handful of Jews. For good reason Kamil repeats that the war is at a climax and we must redouble our efforts.
We captured the deputy manager of the railroad station. Felix interrogated him about military deployment in the area and the movement of trains, about collaborators and the Jews remaining in the area.
He was frightened. Felix calmed him down and promised that no harm would come to him if he would tell us the truth. In reply to Felix’s question, he confirmed that the army is no longer an arrogant conqueror, as in the past. The officer in command of the civilian population has lost interest in the affairs of the local government. A month ago they were still looking for Jews who were hiding among the population. Now they’ve stopped. As for the trains: civilian transport has been reduced; most of the trains are now filled with soldiers, weapons, and ammunition. There are still a few Jews in the work camps. The weak and sick are killed. There are no longer any Jews in the villages. Families that had hidden Jews are no longer willing to take the risk, and they hand over the Jews who had been hiding in their homes. A family man who had hidden Jews was executed in the village square.
So ended the formal part of the interrogation. The deputy station manager grew more relaxed and provided a long and convoluted answer to Felix’s question about who was now living in the houses of the Jews. “Populating the abandoned homes was not handled fairly. People with connections, the ones who host officers in their homes, who throw parties and orgies, got the fancy houses. The simple houses and apartments were taken by the bullies. The fair and honest people got nothing. That’s how the world has always worked.”
He spoke with infuriating calm, as if he’d forgotten he was speaking about people who had been murdered and that distributing the spoils was a continuation of the killing.
“All the houses are inhabited now?” asked Felix, not raising his voice.
“All of them.”
“And what will happen if the Jews come back?” Felix asked, in a different tone of voice.
“They won’t come back,” the man was quick to answer.
“Why?”
“Because they were murdered and buried in the forest,” he said blandly.
“Damn murderers,” Felix muttered, losing patience.
“It is God’s will, what can you do,” the deputy station manager replied sanctimoniously.
He apparently didn’t realize that Felix was a Jew. Felix speaks Ruthenian like a native. His years of service to the Communist Party, of organizing and distributing propaganda in the villages, made him into a Ruthenian. The charm of it wore off just a few years ago. Since then, Felix has been a different person, say people who knew him well.
“What do you think about murdering Jews?” Felix asked coldly.
“What can I say; it’s God’s will.”
Felix was about to let out a curse, but the commander in him would not allow it.
After a brief negotiation, the men agreed that in two weeks’ time they will meet again in these woods. Felix explained that it was best to aid the freedom fighters, since the Russian Army was approaching, and whoever helped the fighters would be rewarded. At the same time he warned the deputy station manager that while the partisans are generous and would not harm honest people, traitors, informers, and collaborators would not be forgiven.
The man listened, extended his hand to Felix, and said, “I will come to this place in two weeks; you have my word.”