Stephen Shooster
Drawing Auschwitz general conditions in the barracks artist unknown
This was some of the most brutal work possible. It was cold, wet, and muddy, re- lentless hard work. If anyone slacked or slowed down, the guard’s vicious dog was right in his face. I once saw the dogs kill one of the prisoners by crushing his neck. We were required to carry him back so he could be counted. My job was pulling the field kitchen. Since this was a grueling kommando, the pris- oners were given an extra helping of food. Days passed. I had nothing to look forward to. Hope seemed to fade forever. This was my worst kommando, but somehow I never gave up. Coming back from one of these excursions, I saw Wiktor, and I pleaded with him again, “Please, you must find me a steady job before it is too late. I cannot survive in this kommando.” He looked at me and my cracked front teeth. I’m sure he knew I was right. Then he said, “I am sending you to the infirmary for a few days. I am trying to put you on a transport to Buna, but you will have to hang on until I see an oppor- tunity to do it.” Luckily, that day, he sent me to the infirmary, and, once again, the blockleiter was my old friend, Mendel Scherer. By this time, the situation was desperate in his block. I could tell as soon as I walked in because I saw only dead people. Mendel came to me and said, “I am sorry, Leon. I can not keep you here.” I was stunned and dejected. He
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