The Horse Adjutant What we did was crazy and dangerous for all of us, as anything could have happened, but it felt right. While we stood there, Mr. Holzer quickly collected his horse and a sled that hap- pened to be filled with potatoes. When he was ready, we all withdrew safely with the heavy load in tow. Since I needed to return to base, I could not be slowed by the ani- mals. Once we were safely away, I left him with his horse and sled while I hurried back to our base. He was happy, and we were pleased to help. As I left, I told him, “If you have any trouble, go to the police. They will help you.” He thanked me over and over. After all of the injustice I had been through, I was glad to do a good deed. June 22nd, 1945, amnesty was given to members of the Polish underground by the National Council. Many units were disbanded at that time. Poland was now a Soviet territory. The Soviets wanted to rid it of influences against the State. 1950 was the height of Stalin’s terror within Poland. The deep underground formed in response to the German occupation remained intact, steadfast against the outside influence of the Soviets. The German occupation was replaced by the Russians. The Soviets initiated NKVD actions against any remaining Germans, their sympathizers, and the Polish under- ground. The Polish resistance during the years 1945-1956 consisted of 60 partisan units and 109 anti-Communist organizations operating in the Wielkopolska region. It was a significant threat to the Polish-Soviet state. I can easily imagine growing up in the region; one can’t help but be in the crosshairs of opposing groups. Everyone had to be a part of a larger group. There was no place to hide. During the highest fear in the war, when I still had a chance to escape, I asked if I could run away with the underground partisans, but learned they didn’t accept Jews. Upon being freed by the Soviets from Auschwitz, I joined for a chance to go to school and learn something. I became a member of the Office of Public Security from June 15th, 1945, to March, 31st, 1953. The office of public saftey became part of the Rus- sian NKVD (secret police). My time was getting short. March 1947, a well-known Polish General and Communist, Karl Swierczewski, was ambushed and killed by the Ukrainian Underground, better known as the UPA (Ukrayins’ka Povstans’ka Armiya). The area he was killed in was a powder keg, and the Polish army was already planning an exercise to clean it up. Using this event as a tripwire, a huge action was triggered. The campaign would completely decimate the area. The plan was to deport and relocate everyone in the region and kill anyone who resisted, no matter what. That would turn out to be 150,000 people. The Communists were in charge, and
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