The Horse Adjutant Late on the third night of our journey, the train slowed and then stopped. We had arrived. Most of the survivors of the journey would not survive their first day in this fiendish place. Our train arrived at a commercial station 3 km from Auschwitz. The rail line at Aus- chwitz was not completed yet, so this was the closest station. All of us were still tightly crammed standing in the cattle car. None of us had a sip of water nor a morsel of food the whole time. By the time of our arrival, the air was stale, and the stench was choking us. I could not help but feel dead bodies lying under my feet, mixed with urine and excrement. I had no idea what time it was, except that it was late at night. The cars stopped, and we waited until it came time to unload us. I first heard a big thump on the roof. I remember my listlessness just before the doors were unlocked. I hoped to fill my lungs with some fresh air and escape from these tight quarters, maybe even get some water. My mouth was terribly dry. Once the doors opened, I felt the rush of fresh air. It was followed by a blinding white light. Floodlights assaulted my vision. I jumped free from the car amidst shouting, “Raus!” The bright light blinded me, so I turned away and looked back at the car. That is when I realized the thump I had just heard above my head was two soldiers standing high above us with their weapons ready. I can only guess they were there to eliminate any chance of disorder. At least, up there, they could not hit any of us with sticks. Since I was in the dark for the last few days, the bright light made it almost impossible for me to see at all. I was disoriented. A guard pushed me into line. “Raus!” Things were starting to come together fast. It must have been quite a foul and pathetic sight to see all of us, both men and women, naked, in the night, after that harrowing adventure in the cattle car. I breathed deeply and tried to regain a small measure of my strength and composure. We were all weakened and slightly delirious. The unloading proceeded, car by car. I started to gather my wits. That is when I realized the floodlights were coming from the hills. The unloading was going on in an organized and deliberate way. We were being channeled into a clearing. Doctors stood ready to review every one. As my eyes and mind continued to adjust, it became clear to me: I was in a life or death selection. While standing, I tried to shake my body back to life. The night air was cold and brisk. Instinctively, I wanted to make sure I looked strong and healthy when they would decide my fate. Guards with German Shepherds were stationed on both sides of us. If the line be- came unformed, the dogs would snarl. As I got closer, I saw elite SS, dressed in white uniforms marked with medical symbols. Nearby, I saw a group of officers of higher
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