War Torn Love (42 page)

             
We had to be vigilant in everything- one serious mistake, and it could be life threatening to all of us. None of us were remotely prepared for the onset of colder incoming weather conditions - most of our stuff had to be left behind in our quick getaway. We had never planned on being in these conditions. Things are getting quite critical for all our survival, the worry was clear in Poppa’s eyes the
stress was clearly taking a toll on him. This inescapable meant that the weather was tipping well past freezing every single night now. Getting through the nights was next to impossible when you begin to freeze. I kept Abiela next to my body, under my clothing, trying to keep her warm. Each morning there was a thick layer of frost covered the ground. The leaves would crunch as you stepped on them. The days were only in the low forties, and that was on a sunny, windless day, if we were so lucky.

             
It seemed that every day lost at least one person. To the cold, or hunger, or from injuries sustained from the Germans, or even their wills being broken, - they simply gave up -, only the strongest of faith and will, were the ones that were going to pull through this in the end. Many were caught chest colds due to exposure. There was nothing we could do about it though, which made us feel even worse. 

             
Finally, we acknowledged we should be thinking of holding up for the winter. The old and young just could not keep up or keep going on at this pace. We had made it to the broad fir forest of the Tatra mountain range -, the final stage in our trek, before we our able to cross the border. Of course, this proved to be our most difficult leg of our journey. We were situated in a spacious basin, in the high country. Much less populated Tatra Mountains, quite a ways up in elevation.

             
The objective was to try to make our way to the town of Osturna - to be found just over the border safely inside in Slovakia. We had wanted to make it over the border prior to winter setting in, but we were too late. Caught off guard because of deplorable weather as well as challenging terrain.

             
More and more I turned to Abram to lift my spirits! Negative thoughts were getting stronger by the day, and I was not normally that sort of person.

             
Poppa just could not risk it any longer. Deciding rather to stay alive, we would had to wait until at least the arrival of early spring to make the final leg of our dire trek to freedom. We knew that with the onset of wintry weather, the likelihood was good that there would be no Germans searching for us, since we were now at least in the mountains. We would not have to continue to run. It would be pleasant to not to walk every day. We had to dig in for the winter, if we had any possibility at surviving at all. That meant shelters. Frankly, we were darned if we do, darned if we do not. We could not turn back, nor could we advance forward.  We could not risk taking refuge in any of the towns; surely, the Germans would then find us. So quickly, had we turned into refugees in our own country? Therefore, you
could see
that our rag tag group could not afford to be caught especially not off guard, by either the Germans, or the elements.

             
Before the snow got to be any deeper – it had been vital to our survival and a group of the men had gone out hunting for as much game as they possible kill and could bring back to their waiting family, and friend, God willing. Trying to hunt and kill the bigger animals, before they begin hibernating for the winter was imperative. The rest us began planning for our winter camp we so named “Little Jerusalem.” A true importance meaning to us all, we hoped this would lift our spirits, and give us hope.

             
Mercifully, along the way here God provided us with the dozen horses - we purchased a week ago from a desperate farmer that wanted nothing more than to help us. After the purchase, we were able to use the horses for carrying our most frail along the way, allowing us to travel faster. As far as the use of the horses would also give their support to the hunting party by pulling back whatever large carcass they were able to get their hands on, such as bear, elk, or deer, of wolves, or fox all known to roam the area, God willing. The horses could be helpful by pulling logs to build our shelter.

             
Two days after setting out on the hunt, the men bagged four elk, three deer, a dozen duck, and a fox. This was not going to be enough to carry us through the whole winter, but it certainly would go along ways.

             
With the horses freed up, Poppa and four others trekked the fifteen-mile walk into the nearby village of Mate Ciche - they watched from the concealment of the nearby forest making sure they had not seen by any Germans. They did not want to draw attention to themselves, not sure, the people were going friendly to Jews still, or
whom
they could even trust anymore
they
could not take any chances - they had to be sure before they headed to stores, which were situated at the end of town. They watched the goings on of the town before heading in. They snuck through the woods with the horses, making their way to the store. If they were caught, then they could be shot, or hauled off - which would jeopardize the safety of the whole group.  They made their way carefully to the store, one of the guys stayed with the horses, just in case it all went bad - then he could make it back to our people. Then one of the guys stood guard in front of the store.  The other young man escorted Poppa. They all had their guns hidden. Poppa was perfect for this, he knew exactly how to talk to the storeowner, and he also knew how to fetch the best prices. They had to be sure there were not any Germans - he tried feeling out the storeowner. Then the storeowner assured them that the residents there still were friendly to Jewish population and that they did not like the Germans. He showed proof that he belonged to a resistance movement. It seemed we were not the only one escaping Poland. There had been a flood of Jews fleeing the country, coming through Mate Ciche. A network was recently set up that help aid the fleeing Jews. Before the Germans invaded, more than half the residents of Mate Ciche had been Jewish. Because so many people were now leaving Mate
Ciche. The town was dying, the storeowners were more than glad to sell us anything we needed, even at a reduced prices.

             
Poppa and the other men with him bought up as many vegetables as they could afford to spend on their tight budgets. Hoping these precious supplies would hold us all over, through the long winter that would lie ahead. With the swelling numbers of more than a hundred men, women, and children, it was clear that many provisions would be needed. They bought a sleigh to help drag the supplies the fifteen miles back, in the snow. They had planned to spend the night in the forest just out of town - it would be too far to go in one day.

             
Most of the provisions acquired,  were the most important staples - five, fifty- pound bags of wheat, twenty fifty-pound bags potatoes, five twenty-pounds bags of carrots, and the same in onions, and five, fifty-pound bags of cabbage.

             
The owner did not have the other supplies needed. He brought them over to his
friend’s
store, where they were able to buy clothing as well as several blankets and pots for cooking. Hand tools, shovels, axes, handsaws and hammers, canvasses, and rope. They wanted to purchase more guns, but the Germans had confiscated them a week earlier. After that, the three men got talking. Small world,
turns out they knew Poppa, in fact there was his suits hanging in his store that Poppa had made. That went along ways with these two men. The man shared with him just how fair Poppa had been with him over the years.

             
After packing the supplies on the horses, it was realized it would require more than one trip.  Unless they secured extra help. Three men from the Mate Ciche were then hired to lend a hand by loading several more packhorses with large portion of our supplies, right under the nose of the Germans, who had shown up just after they made it safely to the cover of the forest.  The storeowners made sure we made a clean getaway. They too would had been shot if it were discovered by the Germans that they had aided any fleeing Jews.  So a lot was at
stake for
them as well.

             
The plan was for each one of the shelters to have one small wood burning stove used for the dual purpose. That was to keep the shelters warm, and used for cooking.

             
Short of a proper work force, we were left with no other alternative, but to commit the young children five years and older to pitch in together with the rest of us, to help erect a camp. They were taught to do things like gather firewood. Every job was important. By the time, Poppa had returned with the supplies, our camp was taking shape. Getting some meat in us, gave us a measure of energy we
had not had before. Everyone worked at a feverish pitch. We managed to build several diminutive structures of small logs, earthen mud, and moss used between the logs, in an attempt to keep the warmth in.  Ame furniture, tables and chairs were hastily constructed. We all slept on the floor, we used fir tree branches, leaves, and moss to pad our sleeping area.

             
I would have to say the shelters were not much to look at, but they were certainly better than being fully exposed to the elements. We had to crowd in ten or more individuals to each one of the building that were roughly no more than twenty feet by twenty feet in size. We just did not have the time - or energy - to build more, before the snow started flying.  The men built snowshoes and went out on one more hunting parties - two more elk and a dozen rabbit were bagged. All the animals that had been butchered, the fir and hid was used as addition blankets.

             
Thankfully, during all this time we were blessed with a Rabbi amongst us, so it was nice having him there spiritually. He helped us not to forget our faith - the one thing we needed the most above all else.

             
The winter was proving to be
long lasting
, and brutally cold. So much snow fell. In fact, the coldest winter I
–
was fre
ezing, even in the daytime hours. The winter was
colder for us, due to the fact we were in the heart of the mountains. The wind raced through the valley.

             
We were all vigilant from the very start. From the very first day, Poppa had returned with the food supplies - which saved us all. All the meat was stored outside, and we let it freeze. But we built a protective shed, so the many wolves seen and heard in the area would not be able to get to it. One thing we did not have was blankets. There was only one blanket for every two people.  If anyone passed on, then his or her blankets were given to, the oldest first. Then the children next. To keep from freezing to death. We had to sleep with our clothing on, to stay warm enough. The entire winter I was - not warm enough one night to go without wearing my clothing.