extracts
Passage to safety
IRENA KOWALSKA (CIEPKA)
Osada Rejtanów, District Dubno

And now came another train journey. Our next encampment was in Karkin-Batash. There, not withstanding the superhuman efforts of those in charge of us, conditions were absolutely impossible so girls became ill and died. A tiny piece of bread and some rice soup was served to us once a day and very often it was midnight and the soup was cold. Dysentery and diarrhoea began to be prevalent. Then one day whoever could stand marched to Guzar. Only the sick remained. I remember that I lay outside because it was warmer and nearer to 'behind the barn'. In a few days I felt somewhat better so I asked the way to Guzar and was told: 'Keep straight on in that direction and you will get there'. For 5 kms. the sun was my only companion and guide but I reached there.

Guzar was at a slightly higher elevation than Karkin-Batash (the valley of death), the air healther and the canteen on the spot, but I had no appetite as I became ill with papadach â a very high temperature.

We left Krasnovodsk in mid-August and left Soviet soil on the 25th of that month. There was insufficient drinking water on the boat and thirst is worse than hunger. But in Pahlevi relaxation awaited us. The calm, gentle Caspian Sea soothed away the aches in our souls.