A little further on there is an army man surrounded by youngsters hailing from the barracks for the homeless, from the look of it.
[4] I come closer—the boys seem to be answering questions: “Jewish shops, here, a lot of goods.” Before you know it, with legs or a crowbar, the shop is smashed. Aryan amateurs of free goods appear from all directions. It is getting crowded. You cannot watch for long.
Returning home later, I hear the same thing in different versions in the street and on trams: “There’s been a real pogrom on Gęsia Street today. Stores completely robbed, merchants beaten up, 2 soldiers came to merchant S. accompanied by a band of youths. The shop was robbed, the merchant had a heart attack out of despair and died. Seeing what was happening, merchant R. opened his shop, distributed the goods among the Jews, and then went home and committed suicide.”
* * *
Tram No. 17. The passengers are officials and workers. The route goes through Bonifraterska and Franciszkanska streets. In front of the shops and houses are large platforms loaded with hard leather.
The Germans are requisitioning Jewish goods.
The sight of these platforms triggers a conversation: “They had it coming; you couldn’t buy a piece of leather from them. Prices went up by the hour.” “Finally, they got what they deserve. [The Germans] will put things in order. They will do what our useless government failed to do.”
The conversation continues in this vein.
* * *
Tram No. 21. From Wola district to Theatre Square (Plac Teatralny). Whispers: “They are beating the Jews. We don’t know if we’ll be able to pass.” We get to Iron Gate Square (Plac Żelaznej Bramy). The Market Square (Plac Handlowy), where the Market Halls “Wielopole” used to be before they were destroyed in the war. Crowds of people, a black, compact mass visible from the distance.
