Testimony of Wiesław Kielar: The events of 24th June 1944

frame of it and rode off. Up until now, everything was going as planned. The minutes passed. I looked at my watch and it was 20 after twelve. Why has she disappeared for such a long time? Perhaps something had happened? I saw the blurry siluette of Edek behind the small windows of the bunker. His gestures showed his impatience. From his window, he could not see much, since the guard house was at too great of an angle, and he would have had to place his face against the glass, and this is something that he did not want to do. For once, he was being careful. He was only waiting for my signal. Finally! They were coming! The overwhelming Jurek walked beside the tiny figure carrying the heavy washbasin object above her head. It was a good idea to have her carry the basin, but Mala was almost bending under its weight. I gave Edek the signal. He was only waiting for this, because only a moment later, he was outside the bunker, and walked a few steps as wiping off some dust off the of the Rottenführer’s uniform, stopping only at the edge of the road. Jurek stopped in front of the SS-man, and according to regulations, took his prisoner hat off, tapped his shoes together, then turned around. Edek, then, had Mala walk ahead of him; he was a few steps behind, in a normal manner, as often the SS-men escorted prisoners. I followed them with my eyes a good three hundred meters, until I lost sight of them. The road had a slight bend. The worse had gone well. There was still the crossing at the great postenkete, and beyond that freedom awaited them. I was completely wet from sweat. My knees were as if made from rubber. One had to, however, have much courage. They are probably passing the gate at the guard post, where one of the SS-men was always on duty. If they make it without being stopped – they will be free! I waited for a few more minutes. The siren remained silent and nobody was led back. So they had successfully passed the worse part of the road. They are free! SMA-B. Collection of Testimonies: t.9, k.112-113