Maria Czarnecka
Class 7
Jasieniec Iłżecki, Iłża district
18 November 1946
My most memorable moment from the occupation
The most memorable moment was when the Germans surrounded the entire village at winter time and took all the men. I suffered greatly because they took my dad away. Already before dawn, German soldiers went from house to house with the village administrator, woke up the men and ordered them to come to the square [at once]. They were threatened with death if they failed to obey. Almost all the men reported to the square; few went into hiding. About 200 people were marched by the Germans through our village. The women and children despaired a lot, but the Germans exhibited hostility, pushing mothers away from their sons and children away from their fathers. It was a terrible moment. After a few days, the Germans had to leave our country, and we had no news about our fathers and brothers for a long time. Now I am happy because dad is back and we are free.