" it was against 14.00 o'clock, the course held on free distance, and the door was opened. The Begleitpersonal called, everything steps out, we is at the goal. When we rausschauten, we saw a landscape, everything even. On the fields, which were worked on and correct were very good, worked farmers, who had cows before the plows strained. That was whole again and something rare, which we had not seen yet. At the Feldrainen stood deciduous trees, erlen and pastures. The soil was black, as in the Weichselniederung. The railroad car responsible person went to the course responsible person and wanted to know, what would be loose. It returned after short time and cried. He said, now we comes to the Russians. In Schneidemuehl, where the Soviet officers had been added, it had already begun. The course had been taken over already there by the officers. Because many children and young person among the people were, the course would be after Hoyerswerda was rerouted, and the Russian needs workers. We did not want to believe this theory only at all, but we had then in the camp of a better to be instructed to be able.

We took our luggage and tried now to step out gradually of the railroad car. It was no platform or increased subgrade, to which we could rise, but we had to step out on the free track body. We had to help the older, because they did not come out without assistance from the railroad car. In the distance we saw some barracks, there should we walk. The way was about two kilometers, then we ran in the Indian file a piece at the line along and then far on a dirt road, until we arrived half exhausted then all in the camp, it were the 11.11.1946.

Before the entrance Soviet posts stood, but they did not take a note from us. After the appearance it had been a camp. Over the gate, by which we ran, the red flag blew. We still could do those from the GPU camp. The camp was called Elsterhorst.

In a large area we should receive the first information. Since we were nearly the latter, we had to wait outside. Then some men came, and this distributed us then on the barracks. Thus we tried that we came from Lotterbach at least into a barrack, which also succeeded to us. We looked for each other a plank bed, in order to put our things down only once. It had folded, we was all together. Gradually we had to come again to the lounge or speiseraum and get us some information. In this area a thick German Mr., about 250 Pound sat heavily and besides a Soviet officer. The German gentleman welcomed us very friendly and was pleased the fact that in the case of this transport no losses were to be registered and the travel everything well and healthy would have projected. He continued to say then, which was Elsterhorst a quarantine camp and we must remain here 4 weeks, until all formalities are settled. The food supply would be good, and we would feel well here soon. We would receive here our new documents of identification and also medically cared for, which was very important for us. It sounded itself up to now everything very beautifully, thought I.

Subsequently, he said the most important. After the 4 weeks stay in this camp we were divided in the Soviet zone of occupation on the circles. When he had read out, certain groaning went through the quantity, everything participated to us unwohl, when it meant, we remains in the Soviet zone. The question came, why we do not come to Hanover, as it had been promised us by the Polish authorities, but whereupon got the interrogator no answer. The German gentleman said end the conclusion, received in which Soviet zone of occupation will we a new homeland.

Subsequently, we had to go to that again into our barracks and carry out for the instructions there responsible person consequence. In the barrack a large furnace in the center, which was fired with brown coal, was located. The plank beds, on which we lay, were doppelstoeckig, them were arranged with the top, but with a curtain separately. In the barrack two rows beds were set up, between them a course of 1,50 m, so that each passenger of basing to his sleep opportunity came. We had to stow the things away beside it and before the plank beds. Beside the entrance a larger table, cabinets did not stand gave it. For covering there were only covers, which were cleaned each week. Bedlinen was not present. The barrack leader confirmed that it had been a camp. The most important information was notified by the loudspeaker. As the first we should get beverages in the kitchen. A boy took over the meal getting for his nut/mother and brothers and sisters, and I took over it for our family. For our neighbour I brought the meal also also. After we had gotten beverages, one notified by the loudspeaker that we also still eat got should.

We ran back equivalent again, because no enterprise was in the kitchen, got we directly our portions. It gave vegetable-pots, and there all large hunger, let we had it us taste.

In the meantime it had become dark. Some ran already to the washing plant. After we had eaten, we went also there. Women and men were separated. In the area, where we had to undress, it was very warm. We June gene hurried us, folded up the things and gave them off to the Entlausen. Like that we were alike in turn for showering. An attendant observed the enterprise. It was a wonderful feeling to be able to wash itself again once correctly. After showering we had into another area, where it was likewise very warm. There we waited for our things. After approximately one quarter of an hour a woman brought us our things, which were very hot still all. We had no more lice, but there should still which be, which had her.

The things to tighten to be allowed, was a pleasant feeling. Subsequently, the woman brought us still another liquid against head lice. With this we had to rub in, with a towel tape our hair and remain still another half hour in the area, so that we do not catch cold. On the way home we met still another young person, who followed us, since he was with his father alone. The Soviet soldiers had shot its nut/mother, since them had not gone through, as the soldiers wanted it. Thus we arranged ourselves for the next day, if the opportunity is offered to explore the area something.

Nut/mother and my brothers and sisters were in the barrack, her had become rather finished already. The shower had done to them also very well. It lasted not for a long time, there all for sleeping had put, and a dreadful Schnarchen began. First thought I, this can become cheerful, because there none can sleep. But we were very tired of the strains and soon fell asleep.

It was still darkly, there we by the voice of the loudspeaker was waked. The loudspeaker was so loud that it could hear everyone in the barrack. It was against 7.00 o'clock of the speakers was very polite, wished us everything a good morning and asked us, washes to go. In each barrack a wash room and the toilets were separate, for men and women at the end.

The meal times were communicated by the loudspeaker. Starting from 9.00 o'clock gave it to coffee, starting from 12.00 o'clock could we noon get, and starting from 17.00 o'clock we could get warm dinner. The latter gave it only two days for the newcomers, until we had in-lived ourselves. In the morning there was then still to butter and bread, and which we had to accommodate everything at the edge of the beds.

Since we were 4 persons, we had seized two beds and/or plank beds, down and to two above. Each family got a food map, on which always one checked off, if we had gotten something.

Starting from 10.00 o'clock we everything, also all children, into an administrative barrack, had in order to indicate our particulars, this were necessary for the exhibition the documents of identification. Everyone had to insure on oath instead of that these data were also correct. To control this however none could. I thought so, now can wrong indicating give, and nobody notices. The people, which received the data, were so serious, as would have them it with criminals to do. Here we experienced also that these camps under line of the Soviet soldiers stood. But were nevertheless soldiers with black uniform, who came through repeatedly. Thus we knew now that we were in a camp, which under control of the secret police.

To the lunch we went too third and wanted to regard the area. At the entrance a German with an armlet stood. Meckerte us immediately on, we should not further as two kilometers from the camp depart, otherwise we would get it with the Soviet friends to do, who would not understand fun in this question. We looked for contact to the native ones, but it did not succeed to us. The native ones did not even speak the German language, which seemed to us somewhat amusingly to the largest part. We were in Germany, and they did not speak the German language. We could not understand that the native ones stood against us so apart.

After we were 8 days in the camp, they looked for workers in the kitchen, because lately very many resettlers had come, then one designated us now. My colleague and I announced us for the kitchen, and we had to begin on the next day directly. At 6.00 o'clock were we in the kitchen. Since we were first of the workers, we were instructed by the chief, a very understanding woman. The other women came only against 7.00 o'clock.

We were divided to transport operations, had firing, potatoes, vegetables and other one to the kitchen to create, also for the fire in the boiler were responsible we. The women were friendly to us very, but spoke only, which had to be. The meal for the resettlers and also for the kitchen personnel was divided according to portions, but the director/conductor of the camp, which could get as much, as they wanted and when they wanted. If had remained somewhat remaining, we could carry that forward. Nearly each day we had been allowed to carry some portions forward, but there were also under it envious people. The women said that at night always someone was in the kitchen and eats gets, it are missing always somewhat.

Erst nach einigen Tagen kamen wir  mit den Mädchen und Frauen ins Gespräch, da sie wußten, daß wir aus einer katholischen Gegend kamen. Sie wurden gesprächiger und verrieten uns, daß es Leute gäbe, die Frauen angeschmiert hätten. Warum wußte keiner, und wer es war, wußte auch niemand. Sie konnten es nicht einmal beweisen, ob es Umsiedler waren, oder ob es nicht unter ihren eigenen Leuten welche gibt, die die Frauen bei der Verwaltung verraten hätten. Sie sagten, in der Verwaltung arbeiten nur alle die Roten, andere kämen nicht zu diesen Arbeiten.

Über die Leitung äußerten sie sich gar nicht. Sie sagten, wir sollten sehr vorsichtig sein. In den 14 Tagen, in denen ich in der Küche tätig war, hatte ich auch gleich an Gewicht zugenommen.

Wir teilten das mitgebrachte Essen mit einer Familie mit drei Kindern und unserer Nachbarin. Diese zusätzlichen Portionen, die wir für unsere Arbeit erhielten, hatte jedem, der etwas davon bekommen hatte, gut getan. Das Essen war sehr gut, aber eine Familie aus unserem Ort, die sich etwas abseits von uns eine Schlafstelle gesucht hatte, paßte auf wie Schießhunde. Sie hatten schon etwas bemerkt.

Nach 14 Tagen sagte uns die Leiterin, daß wir am nächsten Tag nicht mehr zur Küche kommen dürfen, der Leiter habe es verboten, weil in einer Baracke, wo Ostpreußen lagen, Hungertyphus ausgebrochen sei. Wir wußten zwar von keinem Fall. Jedenfalls mußten wir aus der Küche raus. Die Leiterin sagte, so fange es an, denn wir machten abends Kontrollen und waren auf die Schliche gekommen, daß ein Angehöriger der Verwaltung sich abends in die Küche einschlich.

Die Leiterin sagte, wir sollten abends noch einmal Kontrolle machen, denn die Frauen waren alle vom Ort. Sie sagte: "Ich stelle noch etwas zurecht, was ihr dann mitnehmen könnt," denn wir hatten ja noch die Schlüssel. Nachdem wir gegen 22.00 Uhr noch einmal zur Küche gegangen waren und an einem Kessel noch einmal angelegt hatten, klopfte es an der Tür und schrie, halt Einbruch, Polizei. Ich öffnete und zwei Mann stürmten mit einem Krug in der Hand in den Raum. Sie fragten: "Wo ist der andere?" Ich sagte: "Der muß im Kohlenbunker sein." Als sie ihn nicht fanden, sagte ich: "Der hat sich unter den Kohlen versteckt." Da der Kohlenbunker fast finster war, konnten sie ihn nicht überschauen. Sie ließen mich stehen und suchten nach meinem Kollegen, der  schon weit über alle Berge war.

Diese Gelegenheit nutzte ich und riß die Tür auf, die sie von innen verriegelt hatten, und lief so schnell ich konnte mit dem Krug in der Hand und versteckte mich unter einem größeren Gebüsch. Sie hatten es mitbekommen, daß ich ihnen auch noch entwischt war und kamen schimpfend nach draußen. Ich hörte, wie sie sehr laut sagten, hoffentlich haben sie uns nicht erkannt. Einer sagte dann, dies klären wir anders. Ich lief zur Baracke, klopfte ans Fenster, der Junge machte auch gleich auf, so konnte ich unbemerkt durchs Fenster zu meinem Bett gelangen. Das Essen hatte ich wohlbehalten mitgebracht. Wir hatten es zum Frühstück gegessen.

Durch das Fenster konnte ich gelangen, weil an allen Fenstern Sachen hingen und somit nachts so gut wie alle Fenster verhangen waren, das war mein Glück.

Ich war noch nicht eingeschlafen, da kam eine Kontrolle und ging durch die gesamte Bracke, sie suchten jemand. Wir waren ja öfters spät nach Hause gekommen und stiegen immer durchs Fenster, weil der Ausgang nach 19.00 Uhr nicht gestattet war, oder wir mußten uns jedesmal eine Genehmigung von der Verwaltung einholen, und die dauerte zwei Tage, bis wir sie bekamen.

Mutter sagte: "Hat alles geklappt?" Und ich meinte: "Es ist alles in Ordnung." Am nächsten Morgen gab ich der Leiterin den Schlüssel. Sie sagte, es wäre schon jemand dagewesen, nachts wäre eingebrochen worden. Jetzt wußten wir, daß es jemand von der Verwaltung war, aber die Schuld wollten sie uns in die Schuhe schieben. Die Leiterin sagte, diese Schweine haben es schon immer so gemacht, wenn sie erkannt wurden, mußten die Leute raus, die sie erkannt haben.

Sie meinte, daß sie aus der Küche als Leiterin ausscheide. Warum wollte ich auch gar nicht wissen. Eines stand fest, sie hatte keine Lust mehr, denn sie hat geäußert, sie könne es nicht mehr verantworten. Keiner von der Verwaltung würde ihr glauben, das hier etwas nicht mit rechten Dingen zugehe. Es gingen viele Lebensmittel, die für  die Umsiedler gedacht waren, hinten raus, und wenn sie nicht  da wäre, also abends. Sie meinte, daß der Lagerleiter Unmögliches von ihr verlange. Wir haben nur gesehen, wie Fahrzeuge an den Hintereingang gefahren kamen, und sie mußte gegen ihren Willen Lebensmittel herausgeben.

Nach einigen Tagen trafen wir, als wir spazieren gingen, einen Kollegen der Lagerleitung, mit dem wir uns gut verstanden. Er sagte, ihr habt verdammtes Glück gehabt, denn ein älterer Mann hat dich gesehen, als du nachts durch das Fenster eingestiegen bist und hat es in der Lagerleitung gemeldet. Sie waren sich aber nicht im klaren, was sie machen sollten. Ich sagte zu ihm, jetzt sei alles klar, wer nachts in der Küche immer Lebensmittel heraushole und jetzt wollten sie es auf uns schieben.

Ich wußte gleich, daß unser Nachbar im Lager etwas mitbekommen hatte, auch an den anderen Tagen, wo wir später nach Hause gekommen waren, paßte es ihm nicht, denn sie bekamen ja nichts davon ab, und  für alle reichte es auch nicht. So haben wir nur einer Familie mit 3 Kindern etwas abgegeben. Am Abend habe ich der Mutter von den drei Kindern dieses erzählt, daß wir einen Menschen bei uns haben, der uns verpetzt habe. Sie kam nicht darüber hinweg. Das Vertrauen zu diesem Menschen war verloren.

Durch einen Vertreter der Lagerleitung wurden wir informiert, daß wir am 10.12.1946 aus dem Lager entlassen werden sollten. So ging das Einpacken wieder von vorn los. Am 09.12. bekamen wir unsere Entlassungspapiere. Jetzt hatten wir einen Ausweis und konnten uns ausweisen, wenn irgend etwas war. In den letzten zwei Jahren hatten wir nichts gehabt. Aber Mutter bekam auch noch etwas Geld. Am 10.12. war es dann so weit. Früh beizeiten holte ich Tee und verabschiedete mich vom Küchenpersonal. Nachdem wir gefrühstückt hatten, machten wir uns auf den Weg zu den Waggons. Sie standen wieder dort, wo wir ausgestiegen waren. Aber dieses Mal waren die Waggons zwar auch Viehwagen, es standen Bänke drin, wo wir uns hinsetzten konnten, und wir mußten nicht auf dem Boden sitzen.