European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
-
The following morning, at four o’clock, we were called up by buildings, as usual.
The following morning, at four o’clock, we were called up by buildings, as usual.
L'indomani mattina, alle 4, siamo stati chiamati al raduno, -
We were loaded up into the trains and we left to a destination unknown.
We were loaded up into the trains and we left to a destination unknown.
baracca dopo baracca, come al solito. Ci caricavano man mano sui treni, per partire verso una destinazione sconosciuta. -
What we felt was a certain fear, because we didn’t know where we were taken to.
What we felt was a certain fear, because we didn’t know where we were taken to.
Quello che io e la gente come me sentivamo era una sorta di spavento, perché non sapevamo dove ci stessero portando. -
We were led away in groups of ten. Ten people could easily be shot half an hour later.
We were led away in groups of ten. Ten people could easily be shot half an hour later.
Ci portavano a gruppi di dieci, avrebbero potuto fucilarci mezz'ora dopo… Non sapevamo cosa ci sarebbe potuto succedere. -
They loaded us up in the animal wagons and we were taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
They loaded us up in the animal wagons and we were taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Ci hanno caricati su vagoni bestiame, su vagoni merci e poi siamo arrivati a Auschwitz-Birkenau. -
You know, we arrived in Auschwitz. Auschwitz consisted of old barracks, big buildings.
You know, we arrived in Auschwitz. Auschwitz consisted of old barracks, big buildings.
Siamo arrivati a Auschwitz, dove c'erano vecchie caserme e grandi edifici. -
We realized we were somewhere foreign, but it was almost more comfortable than what we had left behind in Compiègne.
We realized we were somewhere foreign, but it was almost more comfortable than what we had left behind in Compiègne.
Lo vedevamo che eravamo all'estero, ma era quasi più piacevole di quello che avevamo lasciato a Compiègne. -
The following day we were taken to Birkenau, 4 or 5 km away and there it was totally different.
The following day we were taken to Birkenau, 4 or 5 km away and there it was totally different.
E poi l'indomani ci hanno portati a Birkenau, distante 4 o 5
km. Là a Birkenau era tutto diverso. -
Birkenau is a camp that was built on marshlands. There were old barracks. It made quiet an unsettling impression.
Birkenau is a camp that was built on marshlands. There were old barracks. It made quiet an unsettling impression.
Birkenau è costruito su una palude, ci sono delle vecchie baracche. Faceva un effetto abbastanza inquietante arrivare a Birkenau. -
They gave us striped uniforms and took pictures of us.
They gave us striped uniforms and took pictures of us.
Ci hanno fotografati, ci hanno dato gli abiti a righe. -
They tattooed our registration numbers onto us.
They tattooed our registration numbers onto us.
Ci hanno dato il numero di matricola, ce l'hanno tatuato addosso. -
They tattooed this number.
They tattooed this number.
Ci hanno tatuato questo questo numero. -
Of course that had a big effect on us.
Of course that had a big effect on us.
Questa cosa ci ha segnati. -
We were no longer called so-and-so. We had this number and were supposed to respond to this number.
We were no longer called so-and-so. We had this number and were supposed to respond to this number.
Non ci chiamavamo più tal dei tali, ormai avevamo un numero e con quel numero dovevamo rispondere a tutte le domande. -
We had to learn it in German and in Polish, not easy. But we had to learn it quickly.
We had to learn it in German and in Polish, not easy. But we had to learn it quickly.
E dovevamo farlo in tedesco e polacco. Non era facile, ma è andata così perché di alternative non ce n'erano. -
Arrest 21st of October 1941
Arrest 21st of October 1941
L'arresto: 21 ottobre 1941 -
I was not undercover, but I was arrested nevertheless on October 21st. 1941 for being a politically active communist.
I was not undercover, but I was arrested nevertheless on October 21st. 1941 for being a politically active communist.
Non ero sotto copertura, ma sono comunque stato arrestato il 21 ottobre 1941 perché ero un militante comunista. -
The police in Seine-Maritime knew all the people that belonged to the Communist Party or to the Communist Youth Movement.
The police in Seine-Maritime knew all the people that belonged to the Communist Party or to the Communist Youth Movement.
La polizia della mia cittadina conosceva tutti quelli che avevano aderito al Partito o alla Gioventù Comunista. -
Before going undercover, we were politically active in public and therefore known.
Before going undercover, we were politically active in public and therefore known.
Prima di andare sotto copertura, eravamo stati molto attivi pubblicamente. -
They knew quite well that we would continue after the banning of the party and kept a close watch on us.
They knew quite well that we would continue after the banning of the party and kept a close watch on us.
Ci conoscevano. Sapevano che avremmo continuato nonostante l'interdizione del partito. Erano molto vigili.