David Szmulewski: "Souvenirs de la Resistance dans le Camp d' Auschwitz-Birkenau"

David Szmulewski:
"Souvenirs de la Resistance dans le Camp d' Auschwitz-Birkenau"

Mise en form par Dr. Noe Gruss, Published by author, Paris 1984, Yiddish, 352 pages.

David Szmulewsky:
"The Resistance in Auschwitz"
Translation of the Book from Yiddish

Book Committee: Samuel Pisar, Karen Scharl, Darty Natan, Gutman Simon, Skalka Yurek and Liberty Maxim.

"To my Parents and Sisters: Chaja, Gittel, Ester and all the Family and the Memory of all the Victims of the Nazi Occupation."

		Pages
1.	Introduction by Samuel Pisar	9
2.	In the Streets of Kolo	13
3.	Three Years in Eretz Israel	19
4.	In the Botwin Group	24
5.	The Establishment of Auschwitz	29
	1) Why Auschwitz?	29
	2) The First Jewish Prisoners ("Kacetniks") in Auschwitz	31
	3) The List of Crimes	32
6.	A Parade ("Appell") in the Death Camp	37
7.	The Beginning of the Resistance	51
8.	The Tragedy and the Heroism of the Greek Jewry	65
9.	The Factory for Shoes Paste "Erdal"	83
10.	"Kol Nidrei" in the Camp	89
11.	Christian Holiday	94
12.	The Spanish Traditions of Botwin in the Camp	102
	1) The Organization	104
	2) The Organization' Activities	105
13.	Balicki Ziegmunt	107
	1) The Hiding Place	113
	2) The Strategic Plan of the Revolt	116
	3) The Free Balicki	117
14.	A Funeral in Auschwitz	122
15.	Good People in the Women Camp	127
	1) The Women Camp	127
	2) Orly Rejchert	128
	3) The Meeting	129
	4) Receiving Water	130
	5) A Birthday Present	131
	6) Dr. Adeliada Hotwal	132
	7) Dr. Monci Szwalwowa	133
	8) Dr. Olga Nikiticzna	135
	9) The Women Heroines	137
	10) Block of the Leprosy Sick	137
16.	The Second Commando of the Roof-Covering Workers	142
	1) History	142
	2) The Commando of the Roof Covering Workers and their Role in the Resistance.	144
	3) How to remove a bad Kapo?	149
	4) Our Contacts with the Doctors	152
	5) Philipek becomes a Merchant	155
	6) Szimon Gutland - the Expert	147
	7) Melinka and Baretzki	159
17.	The Escapee's from the Camp	163
	1) Kostek and Tomek	163
	2) They Were Three...	170
	3) The Informer - Provocateur: Doroszewicz and his Victim	174
	4) 24 Days in a Bunker	176
	5) The First Swallows Leave the Camp	181
	6) Two Jews visit the Nuncio of the Pope	187
	7) Wolodia	188
18.	The Revolt of the Sonderkommando	197
19.	The Long March from Auschwitz to Berlin	232
	1) the last Days in the Camp	232
	2) In the Starving Transport	235
20.	From Berlin to Dachau and Kaufering	241
	1) Berlin	241
	2) Dimitri Korbishev	242
	3) Sachsenhausen	243
	4) Russian Partisans in Chains	244
	5) "Privileged" Prisoners (Katecniks)	244
	6) Continue in the Wandering Roads	245
	7) To Dachau	248
	8) Dachau - Allach	250
	9) Kaufering near Landsberg	250
21.	The Trial of Dr. Wladislav Dering against the Writer Leon Yuris	253
22.	Official Letters and Documents with Commentaries	268
	1) First Steps	270
	2) Frankfurt for the Second Time	275
	3) Dix Visits Auschwitz	277
	4) "The Pleasure Trip" of the Prosecutors	279
	5) The Nazi Archive	281
	6) The Interrogation	283
	7) The Viennese Meetings	284
	8) On the Eve of the Process	286
	9) The First Impression	287
	10) The Role of the Diplomats	288
	11) The Pre-History of the Local Vision	293
	12) Again in Auschwitz	294
	13) The Verdict	296
	14) The Jackals	297
	15) A Messenger from the General Moczar	299
	16) The Last Road of Professor Jan Sehan	300
23.	From Slavery to Freedom	319
	1) Wood for Bread	319
	2) The March - First Day, One Day	325
	3) The Death March (Todesmarsche) - Second day	326
	4) ...And the Evening and the Morning were the Third Day	327
	5) On the Eve of Redemption ("Geula")	329
24.	"With the Wanderer's Staff in Hand"...	334
25.	From Vienna to Paris	339
26.	List of Names	340
27.	List of Photographs and Documents	347

When I was in Paris in 1994, visiting my cousins whose father Max (Mordka) Zawiercucha died a year before, I first saw David Szmulewski book. In this book, the only place in the world, Max's name is mentioned, his sufferings is recorded, his life during three years of abuse and slavery is described, his dreams and daily fight to survive are told. It cannot be left in Yiddish, a language that second generation hardly speak anymore.

My cousin Mordka Zawierucha, the "young friend" of David Szmulewski is mentioned in the book. The book has an index of more than 335 (!) names, (not all the names are included, so this is but a partial index. AH.) but without the page numbers. I don't understand Yiddish, but I can read its Hebrew (my mother's tongue) writing. For a whole night back than, I was scanning the book and on the following morning I gave to my cousin 12 bookmarks which the photocopied for me. Coming back to Israel, my father, Meir Holtzman of blessed memory, translated those 12 pages.

The family Zawierucha originated from Wyszogrod and Gombin Poland and immigrated like thousands of other Polish Jews to France, during the first years of the 30s. The family was expelled to Drancy and from there transported to Auschwitz . They were gassed to death upon arrival at Auschwitz from Drancy, on July 1942. Max (Mordka Zawierucha) was the only survivor. He survived three years in the ghenna (hell) Auschwitz. Father Zajnwil, mother Perla nee' Gostynska and two sisters Ryfka and Fajga perished. One family wiped off the earth. One out of millions. Perla Zawierucha nee' Gostinska was my grandfather Jakob's sister. The end of the Gostinski family is already known, tens of descendants from Gombin, Zychlin, Gostynin, Zakroczym, Lodz, Wyszogrod: extermination...

But being so comprehensive and a first sight testimony of the concentration and death camp Auschwitz, I got very interested and looked for the book in Yad Vashem where I found it in their extensive collection. I photocopied it all and decided such a document should be translated to Hebrew and English later (if any financing institute found), otherwise, the book is doomed for oblivion .

It highlights the heroism of the victims in that other planet "Auschwitz". It proofs that whenever it was possible, even against all odds, the Jews fought and resisted the Nazi German oppressors, and the Jews didn't go as sheep to the slaughter. It also describes the horrible Nazi mechanism of extermination, abuse, oppression and humiliation, which killed the spirit of the victims, not only their bodies. The organization of resistance in its own was already a victory over evil.

It is also a breathtaking account of the day-to-day life near the crematoria, in the mist of the ashes...

My late father was willing to continue with the translation, but life is cruel and he died unexpectedly last September, before project could be materialized.

I recently found another Yiddish speaking High School director in pension, Mr. Haim Avi Mor who agreed to do this for a modest symbolic sum, yet to be paid to him. I commissioned him the work and paid an advance from my own pocket.

I start fund-raising through the Internet for this project, aiming to translate and publish the book in Hebrew at the first stage, as no resources to do also the English translation.

Haim Avi Mor (original name was "Piekarz") is a retired Gymnasium director and felt close to the subject, having lost also all his family in the Holocaust. He is from the small town of Zelachow. He translated already the whole book!

I hope anyone will recognize the importance of this project and will help me so that the chapter of the resistance in Auschwitz, the chapter of survival, heroism and fight will not be forgotten. It is also the story of the anonymous Jewish inmates who found the courage and strength to resist their oppressors in the other planet Auschwitz; Their stories were never told as most of them did not see the light of liberation; or were silent about the tragic past, taking their testimony with them to their graves.
Dawid Szmulewski was their voice!
His book should be translated and published!

The translation to Hebrew has been funded and completed!
I thank all donors for their support.
The phase of typing the manuscript has been started by me. The author's widow was contacted regarding copyrights, which she promised to give permission.
Tel Aviv, 21^st March 2000
Ada01@netvision.net.il

Abramowicz Albert	Antipaw
Afner Dr.	Aplatowa Dr. Liowow
Alkan Louise	Ayasz
Androsiak

Balicki Ziegmont	Birenbaum Cypora
Baranowski Zbigniew	Birenbaum Sezanne
Barlicki Norbert	Birger Ernest
Barszczewski Korman Judel	Blas Walter
Bartaszewski Stanislaw	Bloch Fjer
Baruch From Radom	Bojaken Aleksander
Bass Ludwik	Boratinski Stefan
Baum Bruno	Botczynski Felix
Bekas Wolf	Bowkes Haim
Berlau Moris	Bratra Zofia
Berliner Sam	Braun Aleksander
Besserman Alfred	Brewda Dr. Halina
Besserman Rojza	Buchman Josef
Betleim Oskar	Bulawka Henri
Biadawladislaw	Bursztejn Pesach
Bialek Moris

Celmejster Moris Dr.	Cohen Mary Louise
Chmielnik Szlomo	Czirankowicz Josef
Cimetbaum Heintz

Dajmlerowa Marusia	Dirmajer Dr. Heinc
Daniman Franc	Dirmajer Jehudith
Darenbaum Josef (Warszawski)	Doszyk
Darty Natan	Dragon (The Brothers)
Diamanski Herman	Drozszdzinski Aleksander
Dibua Sranislaw

Elina Odette	Epsztejn Welwel
Elkikn Lucian

Falcyn Tadeusz	Fisher Ladzia
Feinstejn Ada	Fisher Pepa
Feinstejn Nechama	Foltinowa Wera
Fejgenbaum Dr.	Forster Tauba
Fejkel Wladislaw Prof.	Fridman Iciek
Feldenkrajcz Ewa	Fridman Jenine
Ferencz Dr	Fried
Fiderkowicz Alfred Dr.	Frimel Rudolf
Filatau Valentin	Froch Chaim
Finkelkrojt Daniel	Frochczwejg Dawid
Finzilber Alter	Fuks Lajb
Fiodorowa Nina	Furmanski Jack

Galinski Edward (Adek)	Gorin Abraham
Garbarz Mosze	Goz Juliusz
Gebel Rudi	Graf Dr.
Gertner Ella	Grodawski Zalman
Glaser	Grosman
Glowa Stanislaw	Gurand Josef
Gocman Szmuel	Gurfinkel Daniel
Gold Dr. Serge	Gurska Maria
Goldberg Dr.	Gusiewa Nina
Goldgewicht Ewa	Gutkind Vladimir
Goldszal Henryk	Gutland Szimon
Goldsztejn Dr.	Gutman Dawid
Goldsztejn Haim Iczel	Gutman Israel
Goldsztejn Jack	Gutman Szimon
Golik Ignacy	Gutterman Perelka

Hajne	Herszenzag Hersz
Halewi Tadeusz	Hirsz Fredy
Halon Karzimierz	Hoch Hania
Handelsman Jankel	Hocz Richter
Harczyk Abraham	Horczakcrisitina
Hejman Stefan	Horst Janas
Hercberg Walter	Hotwal Dr. Adeliada

Igel Simon

Jagella Konstantin	Jurkowicz Lariska
Jakobowska Wanda	Jurkowicz Wyla Prof.
Jakowlew Liuwau Sr

Kafka Ozer	Korilowicz Adam
Kagan Raya	Korin Charl
Kaminer Raymond	Korin Shmuel
Kaminski	Korman Bela
Kaner Josef	Korman Jdel
Kaninska Regina	Koszczuszkowa Dr. Janina
Kapler Maksimilian	Kot Ada
Kaufman Charl	Kowalczyk Ludwik
Kazanowa Daniel	Kowileczky Frantiszek
Kenka Dr.	Kozszelczyk Jakob
Kiellar Wieslaw	Krauze Etta
Kiemar Francz	Krauze Henri Dr.
Kieta Mieczislaw	Krawczyk Moniek
Kirszland Rita	Kulka Erich
Klein Dorota Dr.	Kupenberg Maks
Klinger Jack	Kwater Polette
Klodzinski Stanislaw Dr.	Kwiatek Wolf
Kordek Ryszard

Laks Simon	Lemka
Lammi Eli	Lenczener S.
Landman Jack	Lewi Andrej
Langfelder Cyla	Lewi Robert Prof.
Langfelder Lacy	Lewiedjew Aleksander
Langfus	Lewinska Pelagia
Langwejn Herman	Libenfrejd
Lasaczka Teresa	Liberty Maxim
Lechtman Sioma	Lil Karl
Lederman Dawid	Lingens Ela Dr.
Lek Aba	Liwer Izak
Lemberger Serge	Ludwig Pawel

Majzel Pepi	Mink Emanuel
Margolis Esterka	Mironao Wasily
Markowicz Erik	Miszim Peter
Meczewski Henryk	Mitelman
Mensze Chaskel	Mordowicz Czeslaw
Messinger Chane	Mordoy
Michaliak	Motika Lucian
Migdal Abram	Motika Magda
Miller Bondi Dr.

Najman Yosef	Nawakowski Lucian
Nakman (Nakarz) Alfred	Nawrdalik Wladislaw
Nardman Mary Louise	Nikiticzna Dr. Olga

Offenceler Johan	Onikower Dr.
Oksbaum Daniel	Otlan Maxim

Palant Charl	Pilieczki Jan
Palmowska Janina	Pis Edward
Papoga Josef	Pitlik Wladislaw
Paremski Henryk	Pitlyk Danuta
Parkarz Dr.	Plaskrua Wera
Pechman-Malinka Aron	Plaskura Josef
Penczyna Jack	Plotniczka Helena
Perelmutter Herszel	Poliak Josef
Petruszewicz Witold	Pozner Kurty
Piekot Warszawska Elzbietta	Pukawski Cypora
Pileczka Genowewa	Pukawski Jehudit

Rag Josef	Robota Roza
Rajmon Simon	Rorzanski Zenan
Rawicz Jerzi	Rosen Arnosz
Rawin Masza	Royal Malka
Rebelski Salomon	Rozensztok Alex Dr.
Rejchert Orly	Rusak Henryk Dr.
Resnik Maruricy

Safam Josef	Smolen Karzimierz
Samowicz Maks	Sofa Jack
Sapir Regina	Solarz Artur
Schmidt Erik	Sosnowski Herta
Sehan Jan Prof.	Sowa Kazrzimierz
Sekowski Ignacy	Sowanski Tadeusz
Seroja Mariem	Sowiel Czeslaw
Shejn Arnosz	Stanianowski Jan
Shejnfeld Szjia Dr.	Stasiak Leon
Sherman Adela	Stein Martin
Sherman Josef	Sturdzy Macel Dr.
Shiles Uri Dr.	Sumniers Mala
Shindelman Meir	Swierczyna Edward
Shlachter Yosef	Szewczyk Tadeusz
Shlapek Helena Dr.	Szmaglawska Swarina
Shneider Gerda	Szmer Jack
Shpak Helena	Szmulewski Dawid
Shulewicz Max	Szowinski Serje
Shultz Chaim Luzer	Sztel Kazimierz
Sliwa Roman	Sztromberg Maria
Sliwka Polette	Szuter Hans
Slowodanski Anatol	Szwalwowa Dr. Monci
Smajer Jack

Tabo Jerzy	Tolski Natan
Tauber	Tom Feliks
Tetmjier Alina	Trejster Noach
Toch Ernest

Uszinski Tadeusz

Wagszal Dr. Kuba	Wkiatek Janina
Wajn Kotirier Mary Claude	Wodka Philip
Wassersztras	Wojczechowski Mirek
Wejnsztejn Mala	Wojgodski Stanislaw
Wejsblum Giza	Wolken Dr. Etta
Werba Rudolf Prof.	Wolkes Bernard
Werl Ludwig	Wortman Dr.
Wilner Max

Zalmanowicz Rachel	Zszemniak Szlomo
Zawierucha Max	Zylber Godel
Zeielinska	Zylber Lajbel
Zejdof Szymon	Zylbersztejn Yosef
Zielinska Anna	Zyra Dr.
Zilbersztejn Anette	Zysman Henryk
Zimetbaum Mala	Zywlska Christina
Zinger Katia