December, 1944: New Faces

On the 7th of December 1944, new faces appeared in our barrack: women from the ghettos of Budapest, and men from all over Hungary - mostly forced army laborers. This, even though the Russian army was fighting around Hungary. The German army authorities, with help from the Hungarian government, took these unfortunate Jews straight to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, or should I say death factory. Some people from our group happily proclaimed that they found close family members. I told my mom, as I went outside, that perhaps we'd find a family member of ours too. My mom just looked on very seriously and sadly.

As the multitude of people gathered around the courtyard, I took my place at the side of the big open gate. I carefully searched the face of each and every new person arriving. After some time, as no familiar face showed up, my enthusiasm flagged. Then, I did see a familiar face. I had not seen him for several years. He was a former schoolmate, and for a few minutes we even both felt glad to meet; then we became very sad and he went on his way to seek lodging.

© David Muskal, 2001