Józef Machulski
Class 5a
Elementary School No. 10 in Kielce
The most memorable moments from the occupation
Across our street was a ghetto. The Jews were forbidden from leaving it under pain of death. Once we were playing army in the ghetto when German cars pulled up and the Germans set up guards. I looked around and realized that I was alone by the wire fencing. A terrible slaughter began in the ghetto. A German standing by the wire was pointing his gun at me. I begged him, [saying] that I was not a Jew. He laughed at me and didn’t want to let me go. I explained, I asked, I cried, until finally I flew to the other side with a strong kick. I didn’t look back even once, but ran home as fast as I could. This event often comes back to me, even though Poland is now free and I no longer need to fear German cruelty.