[Cz-L] The Beginning of the End

Joanna Liss, wrote to me and asked me to share some more stories from Transnistria.

Here is one:

The Beginning of the End

After our first winter in Budy, a rumor started that we were going to be exterminated. One night with the help of a guide we walked trough forests in the rain and mud and arrived in Bershad, were we found some our surviving relatives.
I have no recollections of how I passed my years there; I can only recall the cold, the hunger and the mud.

One morning in the spring of 1944, I looked out the window of our hut and on the tree in the garden perched the most beautiful bird with red feathers. I had never seen such a beautiful bird, and I asked my father what kind of bird it was. He told me it was a Stieglitz (Goldfinch in English). I knew right there and then that this horrific nightmare was going to be over.

In the spring of 1944, a Russian airplane flew over our town and we knew the war was over for us. I recall the Germans retreating on every possible vehicle available and throwing away their weapons. I remember a few of the Germans for whom my father worked, came to him, asking for letters, saying that they were good Germans and that they have not mistreat us or the other Jews. My father, having a Jewish soul, gave it to them, having pity and knowing what was waiting for them.

We were liberated by the Russians, and returned to Czernowitz by foot.
At the entrance of the city of Czernowitz, my aunt, Tante Fanny was waiting at the Sadegura Bridge for days. She had heard from other returning refugees that we were liberated and that we were walking home. She stood there, waiting our return. On seeing us arrive, she was very emotional, and began to cry from happiness. I will never forget the meeting; she immediately took me to a Konditorei in the Herrengasse and bought me a Chocolate Kugel. This was the first taste of chocolate I had had in my few years, and I can still remember the taste of it to this day.
 

Even though 66 years have passed, the horrendous tragic events and visions still haunt me and continue to linger within my being.

Arthur

http://picasaweb.google.com/vonczernowitz2/StieglitzGoldfinch#

PS "Life is Beautiful" to follow

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Received on 2010-09-01 13:13:37