Letter
Warsaw,
31.8.1939.
My
darling Marushka,
You
certainly will be astonished to receive this letter from Warsaw, as
less than a week ago in Wilno you said goodbye to me,
the called-up
soldier.
I
went east to my formation and now I am in Warsaw as a civilian. Here
is what happened in this short time: after arrival at my regiment I
presented my call-up
card and, after completion of formalities, I was sent to the supply
stores. Rushing from one corner of the barracks to another I received
all my equipment consisting of wearing apparel and also utensils for
eating as well as killing, such as mess tin, cutlery, rifle and
bayonet, haversack and hand grenades.
In
the afternoon I was detailed to my company which was bivouacked in the
forest near the railway ramp. There was great activity in checking
lists, etc. Liaison officers were running forwards and backwards, the
field telephone situated under an old pear tree was chattering busily.
Before
I had time to get acquainted with all my companions and commanders,
the field telephone summoned me to the headquarters of the regiment.
With my heart in my mouth, I ran to the barracks. What could have
happened? In my mind I ticked off all I had done during my short
military service. I was certain that during these few hours I had done
nothing to warrant the attention of my superiors. I arrived out of
breath at the threshold of the regimental adjutant.
"Lieutenant
Kruszewski?" a voice called out from behind the desk.
"Yes, sir...." I stopped and it sounded odd and
stupid. In addition, I made a move something between taking off my
military cap and saluting. At this moment I did not know two main
things -
firstly, the military rank of the bald gentleman who was sitting
deeply in an easy chair behind a high desk and, secondly, if standing
on the threshold of the room, does one take off the cap and stand to
attention or should one salute?
The
adjutant gave me an indulgent smile and said; "You are
demobilised, return clothing and weapons 'to the store, get back your
civilian clothing. You will receive your travel order back home.
Understand?"
Seeing
me agape and staring, he added, "You were drafted by mistake. You
don't belong to the first mobilisation. Your call-up card should have
been blue and not white."
I
felt disappointed and humiliated, as if I was publicly degraded, as if
the stripes of a national hero had been stripped. Can you understand
me, Marushka, the ambitious male? In this moment I understood the
might of the war psychosis - after all, I am basically a pacifist.
Only
when I wore my grey, slightly crumpled suit and soft hat did I feel my
spirits rise and my mood became cheerful. I passed the barracks gate
and started my way homewards, me –Ha! Ha! -
the one-day
soldier in active service.
I
immediately sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advising
them about my demobilisation and received from them a cable with
instructions to start work in Head Office.
I
left for Warsaw on 28th August and for the last two days have been
working in the archives of the Ministry. I have already met quite a
few friends - they arrived mainly from Germany. We are all working
sorting documents. Most of them have to be burnt in huge burners in
the basement. Diving in and out from huge crates with documents, we
all look like chickens covered in feathers. Paper was everywhere, in
the main hall of the Ministry, in passages, on desks, chairs and
floors, even over windows. Office messengers are constantly carrying
big bundles away. Truly paper work.
My
God, why did the gentlemen from the Diplomatic Service have to write
on so many tons of paper to achieve such an uncomplicated result as
the possibility of a second world war? But to be truthful I must admit
that the majority of the documents do not concern the intellectual
effort of peaceful coexistence between neighbourly nations. Mainly
there are bills from embassies, consulates, legations, etc. for
champagne, liqueurs, wines, vodka, sardines, chocolates, extra-special
cigarettes and cigars, biscuits, etc. anyway they were for food
items of first necessity to sustain a friendly atmosphere, candid
exchange of thought and cordial neighbourly relationships.
The
food consumption of our diplomats was really outstanding, although I
must admit that I can't visualise any conference for peace by the four
powers being conducted with salted herring and rye bread. On the
whole, my darling, the atmosphere at M.S.Z. (Ministry for Foreign
Affairs) is rather feverish. Politics are also heatedly discussed in
the streets. We are counting on a firm stand from our western allies.
The spirits are rather high. We feel like the placards say strong,
united and ready.
As
to myself -
I have a large room, received my wages in advance, so we will have
enough to live on. There is no danger of an immediate war. This
situation may last for months according to people in the know. Some
even assure us that, under the pressure of the big powers, Hitler will
never start a war but will try to negotiate and look for a political
compromise. Therefore, darling, take only a few frocks, some linen and
some of my personal belongings and come to Warsaw -
the rest could be sent later.
I
am waiting with many kisses,
Yours,
Zygmunt.
Warsaw,
31st August, 1939.
Next morning at dawn the Second World War
started.