LUBLIN, POLAND
MAY 1941
MONTH 20 OF THE NAZI OCCUPATION
Commandant Zörner decided it was time to talk about building the new brickyard, and he sent for Jakob, Eli and Maximilian. As they walked to Nazi headquarters at City Hall, Maximilian said, “I have come to know Zörner a little better. He is a hateful man, and he has no love for Jews. I think our best approach would be to let me do all the talking.”
A three-block perimeter had been established around City Hall. Any civilian who intended to approach the building was stopped, searched and interrogated before entering the perimeter. Maximilian was clearly familiar with the guards and greeted them with a wave and smile. “I am taking these two men to the commandant on urgent Reich business,” he said. “You may verify if you wish.”
Zörner sat behind a polished desk. A large red-and-white Nazi flag was posted on either side. His gray uniform was neatly pressed but strained at the buttons to cover his corpulent frame. A stone-faced sentry stood at attention to his right. Though his side chairs were empty, he did not invite any of the three to sit. “So these are the Jews who are operating the brickyard?” he said.
“They are indeed, your excellency,” Maximilian said. “Under my supervision, they are filling the Reich’s every request promptly and efficiently.”
“Hmph. Well, our needs here in Lublin are diminishing. The yard will eventually be closed.”
“Closed?” Jakob blurted loudly. “The brickyard is my business! My family has run that brickyard for three generations. We built Lublin. I am not about to close my brickyard.”
The sentry took a step toward Jakob, but Zörner calmly lifted his hand and signaled him to halt. “You best watch your tongue, old man. Your rudeness will instantly terminate your association with any earthly brickyard right here and now. The decision has been made and it is not open to debate. The Lublin brickyard will close when we have no further need for it. A newer and larger brickyard will be built in Litzmannstadt, which is quickly becoming the new center of industry in the General Gouvernment. As you have aptly described, Maximilian, the Reich’s needs will be promptly and efficiently served by a brickyard, but it will soon be located in Litzmannstadt.”
“As you command, excellency,” Maximilian said. “A wise strategy. How may we assist you in realizing that goal?”
He looked at Eli out of the corner of his eye. “Maximilian, I want you to take these two with you to Litzmannstadt. Make a search for land suitable for a brickyard operation and establish the business. You may transfer whatever construction materials and machinery you need from the Lublin yard by motor carrier.”
“Very good. We will begin our search immediately, Commandant. As soon as we find a suitable location, we will commence the transfer of materials and machinery.”
“The hell we will,” snapped Jakob. “How are we supposed to operate our business here without materials?”
Zörner stood. “If you open your mouth to me again, old man, I will shut it forever. You and your son will accompany Maximilian to Litzmannstadt, where you will build and operate a brickyard.”
At this point, Eli stepped forward. “Commandant, if I may…”
“No, no,” Maximilian interrupted. “It would be better if I were the only one to converse with the commandant.”
Zörner waved his hand. “What is it, Eli Rosen?”
“The Rosen brickyard has served the Reich’s needs since the day the city was occupied. My workers have always responded to your requests. I have never received a single complaint.”
“So?”
“Our brickyard is near the rail lines. If we expand our operations just a little here in Lublin, we should have no difficulty filling orders for materials and shipping them by train to wherever they are needed.”
Zörner sat back, took a cigarette out of a box, lit it, took a deep draw and contemplated his reply. Finally, he said, “No, that won’t work. We need materials, masons, carpenters and bricklayers in Litzmannstadt, where the central command intends to build a model city and the manufacturing center of the country. We would not be well serviced from a yard two hundred kilometers away.”
“I have capable foremen,” Eli said. “I’m sure I could manage any project from my office in Lublin.”
Zörner shook his head. “Discussion closed.”
Eli continued. “But, your honor, I have a family here: a wife and a son. The schools and day-care centers have all been closed. My wife is working seven days a week for you in the sewing shops at Lipowa, but she doesn’t get home until the end of her shift each night. My father and I watch my son during the day, and I prepare meals for my family each day. If my father and I were gone…”
The commandant raised his eyebrows. “We can easily provide for your wife by moving her out of your home and into our shopworkers’ barracks permanently. As to arrangements for your son, that is an injudicious request for you to make of an SS officer. Perhaps Maximilian will inform you about the current policies in effect regarding dependent Jewish children. It’s not something you would choose. I believe your brother Louis is in a position to care for your son if your wife were to stay in the Lindestrasse barracks full-time. Shall I make those arrangements?”
Eli hung his head. “No, sir. I will go with Maximilian.”
Zörner stubbed out his cigarette. “Then it’s settled. The Rosens will travel to Litzmannstadt with Maximilian after Mr. Rosen finds suitable management to operate the brickyard here in Lublin?”
“Commandant,” Maximilian said, “perhaps you have forgotten that it is my brickyard and my operation. I will arrange for suitable management.”
Zörner scoffed and reached for another cigarette. “Do you take me for a fool, Maximilian? You could no more operate a brickyard than I could pilot a battleship.”
“But, your excellency, Brigadeführer Globočnik specifically designated myself as…”
“I know what General Globočnik did. And I know what you have done. Or not done. I doubt I would see a speck of construction dust on any piece of your fancy wardrobe, would I?”
Maximilian shrugged. “But managers typically do not…”
“Stop! You may continue to strut around Lublin and drink with whomever you will. When I decide when and how you can be useful, I will let you know. In the immediate future, I have decided that you are to accompany the Rosens to Litzmannstadt and begin the establishment of a brickyard.”
“Commandant,” Eli said, “you might consider leaving my father to operate the Lublin brickyard. No one knows the operation better. A foreman would not have the necessary experience, and the efficiency would suffer, at least in the short run.”
Maximilian stepped forward. “And those are exactly my thoughts as well, your excellency. I am particularly…”
Zörner waved him off. “The older Rosen may stay. You two will go.” He lit his cigarette. “That is all. Good day.”