European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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We had to steal wood from our own forest,
We had to steal wood from our own forest,
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some dry trees we used to cut down and take to Vilnius where we sold it to make some money.
some dry trees we used to cut down and take to Vilnius where we sold it to make some money.
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Beginning of the German-Soviet war, hiding refugees
Beginning of the German-Soviet war, hiding refugees
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I was walking many kilometrers along the river Neris, which flowed a few kilometers from us.
I was walking many kilometrers along the river Neris, which flowed a few kilometers from us.
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I went to one household, where a worker was – Mr. Joseph – he had a home farm as he got married with a rich lady Lachowiczówna.
I went to one household, where a worker was – Mr. Joseph – he had a home farm as he got married with a rich lady Lachowiczówna.
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They took care of me and again I had a place to live.
They took care of me and again I had a place to live.
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I helped Mrs. Lechowiczówna in the garden.
I helped Mrs. Lechowiczówna in the garden.
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After three, maybe four days we heard bombarding as if from Vilnius.
After three, maybe four days we heard bombarding as if from Vilnius.
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Nobody wanted to leave this farm house as everyone was scared and did not know what the Soviets would do.
Nobody wanted to leave this farm house as everyone was scared and did not know what the Soviets would do.
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First, we could see explosions, there were lights so that they could see at night where to bomb
First, we could see explosions, there were lights so that they could see at night where to bomb
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and we could hear boom, boom, boom, the noise from tanks and armoured vehicles.
and we could hear boom, boom, boom, the noise from tanks and armoured vehicles.
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This farm house was situated between two main routes - one leading to the east, and the Batory`s route.
This farm house was situated between two main routes - one leading to the east, and the Batory`s route.
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We could see that both routes were filled by the army.
We could see that both routes were filled by the army.
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What? The war broke out? We had no clue what happened.
What? The war broke out? We had no clue what happened.
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At some moment we heard shots and everything froze.
At some moment we heard shots and everything froze.
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All tanks stopped,
All tanks stopped,
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I guess it was a kind of signal that when the Germans were coming, the Russians were supposed to stop.
I guess it was a kind of signal that when the Germans were coming, the Russians were supposed to stop.
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It took two, maybe three days, it is hard to say.
It took two, maybe three days, it is hard to say.
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One beautiful day I was by the river Neris,
One beautiful day I was by the river Neris,
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I was coming back and I saw that at the Josephs in front of their house,
I was coming back and I saw that at the Josephs in front of their house,