ist euer Gott? ⁷⁴² and the like. At the last moment, and thanks to Dr. Feldshuh
and Dr. Alter, it was successfully proven that Jews did not shoot at the soldiers,
but the Polish soldiers dressed up as Jews did it. Everyone below 16 and above
50 years of age was released on the spot. Those who remained were taken for
several days to Węgrów and Wyszków for forced labour.
I must also recount what happened to the women and the children. In the
meantime, all women and children were assembled on the riverbank outside
of town, where a group of soldiers kept them separate from the men. In the
evening, the soldiers noticed some smoke, a sign that the artillery would shell
this place. The soldiers quickly cleared off, yet did not allow the women to
leave the spot. Shortly afterwards shrapnel shells and bombs began to fall
on the assembly place; 15 women and children were killed, but despite the
German orders the vast majority ran away.
All released Jews remained on the edge of the town. Moreover, it must be
stressed that the church was also shelled and burnt. Also, all the extinguishing
equipment was completely burnt. On the third day⁷⁴³ of the Ten Days of
Penitence,⁷⁴⁴ some Jews returned to the ruined town.
[3] Ruins and basements became our dwellings. We slept at first up to
50 people in one basement. People cooked outside and in ditches, where from
a few bricks and fence they made a cooking place. Obviously, there was no
electricity. What did the Jews live from? In small measure, from hidden provisions,
and the majority went to adjacent villages to dig potatoes and to chop
wood. The only clothing that remained was what one was wearing. People also
lived in the stalls in the market-place, the slightest rain completely soaked
them. The Germans who drove by malevolently shot at the stalls, filling the
hearts of the inhabitants with fear and horror. For a time, we were also terrorized
by Polish hooligans, but the former Polish teachers fought them firmly
and successfully.
After Sukkot, several regiments of the German army were stationed outside
of town. Immediately on the first Sabbath, they summoned all the Jews
to the market square and after a sermon, during which it was said that all
742 (German) But Soviet Russia is with us – and where is your God?
743 On 17 September 1939.
744 Called also Yamim Noraim (Hebrew: days of awe), the High Holy Days; ten days from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur.
