We are motivated by the increased number of trains. The patrols collected data showing twice as much rail traffic in recent days. In between the trains rushing to the front are trains taking Jews to the camps. All the testimonies we’ve taken indicate that these are death camps, with smoke pouring from their chimneys day and night.
“We can no longer stand aside. Our mission at this hour is to stop these infernal deportations,” Kamil says, gritting his teeth.
Kamil is alone in his tent, bent over a large map. He is planning the operation to the last detail. From time to time he calls in squad leaders to hear their opinions. We know the area well, but we need to prepare for surprises: bad weather, hostile patrols.
Meanwhile, the cold gets worse, and thick, silent snow falls without a break; this is a sign that from now on our lives will change, will grow more intense. We are running out of time.
Kamil doesn’t improvise. He is now training two squads for this mission. In Hermann Cohen’s storehouse, fighters are trying on shoes and clothing suitable for the operation. “Better to suffer from cold than from clumsiness,” repeats Kamil.
We moved Grandma Tsirl into a bunker. The move was lovingly performed. Grandma Tsirl was cross about the excessive attention. “I should have gone already to rest in the World to Come and not be a burden here,” she said.
Kamil came out of his tent to greet her. Grandma Tsirl does not pay attention to the radio but rather to voices she hears and visions she sees. Her ancestors are her guides again at this critical time. She often says, “That’s what my ancestors did and that’s how I try to act.” She’s not afraid of contradictions, misunderstandings, or embarrassing questions. For the most part she answers questions clearly and simply. When she has no answer, she says, “If God puts words in my mouth, I will know how to answer. If he doesn’t, it is a sign that I am not worthy.” She speaks simply about God, a God who is close to human beings, who bestows His grace and goodness on them. One must accept the good and the bad and not complain. She never tires of saying this. The statements that Grandma Tsirl keeps repeating drive the communists crazy, and not only them. One of them raised his voice and fumed, “This is wrongheaded foolishness, and fraud to boot.”
Everything here is hard; we are rattled and moody. I sometimes think that not only did the Germans and the local population declare total war on us, so did nature. A few days ago we were attacked by a pack of wolves. They were hungry and ready to tear us apart. Felix threw a grenade and wiped them out.
Killing them didn’t make us happy. We saw the wolves’ bodies quivering in the snow and remembered the ghetto: the soldiers fired indiscriminately, and human body parts were strewn on the ground, red and exposed.
Kamil has issued a special order: “We are nearing the day when we’ll be forced to fight the enemy face-to-face. It’s no secret that the enemy is determined to kill us all. Thank God we are free, well trained, and ready to fight.
“We are few, but even the few can derail trains that take Jews to their death. We have among us officers and fighters who are opposed to taking such action, but Felix and I take full responsibility upon ourselves. No doubt this is a risk, but our courage led us to escape from the ghetto and come to these mountains. And this courage will be our guide when we go down to wreak havoc on those who run and guard the trains. It’s a risk but a necessary and holy one. Life is important and precious, but when the enemy is wild and vicious, we cannot stand idly by. ‘He who comes to kill you, kill him first.’ That is what we are called upon to do at this hour. Your commander, Kamil.”