The American Embassy is on Szabadság Square no.12. When Horthy's clique declared war and diplomatic relations with the U.S. were broken, the Americans requested the Swiss Embassy for the protection of its citizens. At the American Embassy, there were not only Swiss but, British, French, Belgian and even room for the Yugoslav Embassy. It became the official office for Foreign Delegations.
Even the Palestine delegation was located here. They were accepted by the Hungarian Nazi Regime. The Swiss Embassy was responsible for the Community's security and food. Otherwise each embassy was autonomous.
Actually the building is neither under Swiss nor under Swedish protection. Accommodations became impossible for the illegals. As soon as passes were issued, they would become invalid. The Hungarian Nazis would destroy the refugees' papers and cart the poor souls away to their extinction. At this time the building did offer protection to the embassies, their employees and even to some illegals but to get in as a refugee was almost impossible. Within its grounds were menacing-looking guards wearing Swiss National caps, who probably had recently made their escape from labour camps. No doubt they would be armed and prepared for all eventualities, so it was quite an accomplishment to be admitted. I succeeded stating that I had a message for the ambassador's secretary.
Within a few minutes a hefty Laci appears and in his usual boisterous manner, instructs the guards to let me in.
I follow Laci feeling optimistic, but we didn't get too far when Laci starts lecturing me.
"You've got a nerve to come here! I'll be in a very tough spot if they find out who you are!"
In spite of his anger, he is not going to let me down and says that no one must know my true identity. I am to remain a Transylvanian refugee who was in civil service. Only Mr. Fischer, the Swiss Embassy's administrator was to know the truth.
I am presented to Mr. Fischer, who accepts my identity as given in the papers. He requests that I not mention being in a labour camp. I will be employed as clerk if it will meet with the consul's approval. Mr. Fischer prepares the papers accordingly. Usually this is done by the employees but they have left for the Christmas holidays. My boss is to be Mr. Fischer and my work will be extremely confidential. He gives me instructions and the SWISS EMBASSY CAP! - one left behind by an employee. I will have the Swiss Embassy's I.D. card with photo, as I will be required to go outside the embassy. Hopefully the consul, Mr. Lutz will give his approval.
Laci and I talk in the next room and he tells me "from now on, we don't know each other." His position is not official, but he is in charge of diplomatic relations between the Swiss and Romanian Embassies. He is waiting for his appointment and I must not mess it up...slowly I take it all in and I am quite overwhelmed at my great fortune and the Swiss Embassy cap on my head! Hopefully I will be able to play my part to the very end. I must not show my feelings. I must be polite and in control.
"My Debut" takes place: front hall third floor, The American consulate's clerk, Mr. Weisz was at his desk. We introduce ourselves and we talk. He is furious with the U.S. Embassy. He was left behind because he was from Slovakia and spoke Hungarian. He is in charge of safekeeping and security for the building.
"Now why should I be the one to guard the building and its treasures from the Nazi bandits? I should be in New York with my family. But no, we are all stuck here!"
He then introduced me to his wife, his son and his mother-in-law. They spoke Hungarian but with the usual accent. Then the questions turned to me.
"You're a refugee? Didn't you have to enlist?"
"I'm over fifty and didn't have to."
Mrs. Weisz threw her hands up in amazement. "He looks so young, eh Józsi, and he's older than you - he's in great shape!"
Then Mr. Weisz asked me what I'd be doing and also about my salary. I told him about my low paying office job. He drew himself up and revealed his fantastic salary and how much he was able to save - IN DOLLARS...We listened to each other's story and then got down to business. He said many American citizens come to the consulate these days. They all want to get out of Budapest. He tells me that there are great opportunities to make money. "Let's make a deal", he says mysteriously.
Next day Consul Lutz sends for me. I am given a great welcome. He asks me to take a seat and speaks to me in German. He said he had excellent references about me and how important it is these days. I will know in thirty days as to whether my position would be a permanent one.
The next two days were very busy - so many "clients." They came with expectations. They were ready to bribe - anything to be able to get out of Szálasi's Empire with a passport. At the time, those living in the building were assured of food, but this routine soon ceased when the city came under siege.
There is no food, no electricity and no water. The windows on the streetside are shattered from the blasting. We are on our own and must manage as best we can. I have been assigned to another room and have to share with others. But downstairs on the main floor, I was quite surprised to see another world spacious rooms, elegantly furnished bedrooms with boudoirs and large cupboards. When I entered, I was met with hostile glances especially when I disclosed to them that they would have to share their accommodations for the night. Despite their protestations, the "high and mighty" would have to be deprived of some of their privileges. Dr. Károly (Charles) Wilhelm, attorney and formerly government consultant, chaired the Jewish Council with his wife. He was certainly not happy at being disturbed. There was Baron Splényi (?), member of the upper house with his snobbish wife. It was obvious that the section facing the yard was safe from bombing. These rooms soon became jam-packed. My other discovery was at the air raid shelter. The basement was a labyrinth leading into the neighboring building. This was the Hold (Moon) Street National Savings Bank with its many many basement cubicles.
A loud discussion was going on in one of these. I step inside to find young soldiers, infantrymen, their rifles hung on the coat racks. They are terrified when they see me...how on earth did I get there? They had been waiting for their "liason"...the resistance. They were young kids. There was a distinct aroma of pork sausages being cooked. I set off in that direction.
This is the Bank's kitchen. The cooks are young girls, kind and friendly and I was treated to generous morsels. One of the girls happened to be from Transylvania "too" from Csík. I was soon put through the test. "Well, I had spent some time close to Maroshéviz. Last summer I was working on the railroad." I had to make up stories about my job as civil servant and this gave me access to the kitchen. I became a very important person from Erzsike's point of view and she concocted plans in the event that we return to Transylvania.
I check out an another room. This is where Laci Iritz' beautiful young wife, Adrienne was kept safe and secure. She used to be an actress, playing minor parts. Now she was cut off from the world, Laci's orders. She was most anxious for the moment of liberation and she was worried about her little daughter who was staying with her mother on Bécsi (Vienna) Road. Otherwise all she did was sit in front of the mirror reading and studying her roles, longing to escape from her safe haven.
Upstairs things were not going that well. The Hungarian Nazi Organization in the fifth district had been notified of Lutz's visitor. We were warned that no one should be hanging around in the hallways. We lowered the heavy drapes. I could hear loud footsteps when someone was approaching. It was a relief to hear them pass by. What could they be talking about? What were they quarreling about? One cannot imagine that either Lutz or the Swiss Embassy would be involved in the atrocities.
I was shocked to learn that although we were under the Swiss Embassy's protection the glass greenhouses on Vadász (Hunter) street had been broken into and raided. Shots were fired and someone was killed. Next day they took away- Artur Weisz, one of the directors of the International Red Cross and Ottó Komoly, an engineer. They were executed. The Swiss Embassy was totally without power.
This is not such a safe place after all. Mr. Lutz went out of his way to protect the refugees. Sándor Grausz was in hiding at the Embassy. To relieve Grausz's anxiety Mr. Lutz took Mrs. Grausz under his "personal protection". The consul and Mrs. Grausz fled from Budapest at the end of December. The Grausz' were legally divorced and Mr. Lutz married the lady later! We have learned that Lutz gave testified against the Hungarian Nazis with as much daring as Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish Embassy's counselor. Wallenberg was known to stand outside the Embassy and personally hand out safe-conduct passes to Jews. Lutz was not as well know, but he rescued thousands in safe houses of the Swiss Embassy. The Hungarian Nazis must have killed Wallenberg - there was no trace of him...Lutz, because of his wonderful deeds in those perilous times, was nominated for the Nobel prize.
Before I was hired, Mr. Fischer specified that my job would require going out to the Embassy building. This was obvious as the Swiss Embassy was on Stefánia Road. Somehow I would have to make my way there from time to time. Mr. Fischer did follow through and even found me an escort. The situation on the street was quite disquieting. There were artillery guns in firing position at the Stock Exchange Palace at Szabadság Square and I had to go to Türr István street to take a parcel to his lady friend...
"As you are going out anyhow, please take my sweet little dog. It's been weeks since he's had fresh air." I set out with the little black poodle on a leash, wearing my Swiss cap I was scared but there were no problems.
Early in January in 1945, I finally had news of Károly Varga. Dr. Imre Böszörmény, Debrecen's attorney for the King's Council, was permitted to come to the Embassy. He had just run into the teacher Mihály Vasas (Cica's husband) who invited him to his home. That is when he met Károly Varga. Károly's job there is chopping the wood and keeping the house warm. The three apparently get along very well.
One night when we were all in the big room, which was so nicely furnished by the Wilheims, they woke me to say that there were two young blind men banging at the door, calling my name, begging to be let in. They were the two pianists from Kolumbusz street, Jenő Lindenfeld (later known as Lényei) and Laci Schlesinger. They looked terrible. They were filthy and starving. They pleaded to be allowed in or they would throw themselves into the Danube. There was no more food in their last hiding place; no way could they manage any longer. I decided that I should take the chance and let them in, and did not ask anyone's permission. Next morning I was ready for the lecture I was sure to get and there was plenty from Laci. We hardly had any food left. I found a barrel with raspberry jam in the stockroom all frozen. This is what I gave them. Each day began by getting them washed.
At about this time I became involved with very confidential discussions at the embassy. Mr. Krausz, a Palestinian Zionist was the organizer of an emigration movement under the cover of the Swiss Embassy. He was negotiating with Mr. and Mrs. Aladár Weisz who had a textile wholesale company on Erzsébet (Elizabeth) Square. When I was too close Miklós Krausz tried to change the subject, but I heard "Waldsee..." This is where I got my last news from Éva. During the summer, I got a postcard with the message "I am in good health" It was printed, but it was addressed in her handwriting. Mr. Krausz was just explaining that "Waldsee" was a horrific Nazi lie. The name was a cover-up. In the west they had already heard of the Polish town Oskiecim or Auschwitz in German, the infamous death camp, where the elderly, the disabled and children were taken. Upon arrival they were brought to the so-called bathhouse. The doors would be sealed tight. The showers would spout poisonous gases. The corpses were then incinerated in the crematories. The occupants of the camp were aware of the fate that awaited them, seeing the continuous smoke spouting out of the chimney. I was paralyzed with fear. I just did not want to believe this but hearing Mr. Krausz and knowing about the Szálasi gang's nefarious deeds, Hitler's exploits could well be imagined. I clung to the doorjamb to keep from collapsing - but still I hoped. Éva was young twenty-two years old in great health. She was into sports. No! But her parents: Imre (Emery), he was very ill and Margit (Margaret)- so fragile; little Lilike, her sister, seventeen years old, ever smiling - will I ever see them again? Oh it hurt.
Terrible times ahead - bombings - detonations. The Margit Bridge was blown up, then the Lánchid (Chain Bridge) and finally the Erzsébet bridge. The Red Army's detachment was in the neighboring district. We hear them through the loudspeaker set up in the railway station. "Give up the fight". The announcement was in Hungarian and German. "Think of the poor citizens." But the battle rages on. Its been snowing for days. Nobody can sleep, even though it is still quiet in this district.
But then on January 18, at dawn, the first Red soldier appears at the gate...What absolute happiness. It is true, we are finally liberated. End of years of nightmares, humiliation and hiding. End of living in anxiety. We are free! The dawn of a new life, a new Hungary...
We surround this one soldier and hug him. He does not allow this celebration to continue. He goes up the stairs, up to the first floor, to the hallways, checking each room. "Nyemec soldat?" (German soldiers?) he asks. We explain that this is the Swiss Embassy - off-limits to Germans. He seems relieved and goes away. But within the hour another four arrive and order the men to the gates - to be taken away. I was surprised to be lined up with the others. I had no idea as to what was happening. One of them had his eye on my watch and I shoved him away. The young guards at the gate save me. I did not have to go and managed to hang on to my watch, a precious gift from my father-in-law. The young guards spoke Russian and we reported the "incident" to Mr. Vonruss, who had replaced Mr. Lutz. He saw to it that all the embassy's employees have proper Russian language. I.D.s.
This morning we watched the goings on at Szabadság Square from the window. The square was quiet. Beside me was Évike, Aladár Weisz's eighteen year old daughter. Up to now we had not spoken only to say hello.
"I must congratulate you" she said. "My mother and I thought that the show you played could only be played at the Víg Theatre." "Actually, who are you?"
This conversation continued as we walked along arm in arm down the street. It was great to breathe fresh air again. We were free. The noise of the shelling from Buda did not bother us. We walked along the snow-covered streets, avoiding the mounds of horse manure. I had plans. By the time we got back to the Embassy, my new I.D. with photo awaited me. "Schweizerische Gesandtschaft in Ungarn" (Swiss employee in Hungary). It was now in three languages, Hungarian Russian and English.
"I certify that György Kiss is employed by the Swiss Embassy to represent British, American and other foreign interests. Co-operation of civilians and military is hereby requested."
It was signed by Dr. Zürcher administrator in charge and had the Soviet Army's commanding officer's seal and signature. I headed off toward the Város (City) Park. Since the second of December, I had no idea what was going on and I was afraid of what I would find...Kolumbusz street was deserted. Here and there I see someone - but inside in the same dormitory through the window, I see my grandmother as she is tidying up. A miracle - an unbelievable miracle! Only a few were permitted to stay when the Nazis took my mother and me. Those that remained suffered from great deprivation. There was very little food. There was someone in charge and at one state a soldier would bring my grandmother little parcels of food. She did not understand the soldier and never did learn who her good Samaritan was. Because of her deafness she did not have a clue as to what was happening. Many times she thought that this was the end. As she could not hear, often they would have to chase her down to the air raid shelter with the butt of a rifle. Sometimes she thought she would never see daylight again. She was spared from the sounds of the bombardment! She knew nothing of the heroic deaths in the labour camps. Probably she did not even realize that she was at the mercy of the Nazi executioners. She was only worried about us.
My mother was waiting for me at the Pannonia Hotel. Laci kept her informed. Oszkár and his family were heading toward Szabadság Square. My mother had a plan of action. There was a distant relative, a refugee, who lived on Vörösmarty Street. We would move into her apartment in the courtyard. She found a sleigh and I was to put her and my grandmother's things on it. I started off. Along the way, I managed to get beans, peas, lard, flour and even some sugar. Then I picked up scraps of wood on the railroad tracks near the station.
My sister was still enjoying the Maestro's hospitality. I went over to their Baross street home to thank them for their kindness, and offered to reciprocate by providing for Péter.
On January 18, Károly hiked to Békés. There was no train service. He was anxious to get to Kastély (Castle) Street no. 1, to his house and to be back with his wife Jucika and the children. The family had been in utter despair with no news about Károly.
It became my job to approach Ambassador Puskin, with an interpreter, in the matter of food and supplies for the embassy. He was not at all encouraging and stated that we would have to look after ourselves.
The first to leave the Embassy were the Yugoslavs. They had checked out the situation in their country and found the news favourable.
I was in charge of the "stockroom." There were a few dozen shirts and was told to give them away to those who were in need. The two blind chaps were the first benefactors of the rather filthy shirts and the supply was soon gone.
I went to see my uncle Miska (Mike) with a large loaf of bread hidden in my knapsack. They were delighted with my present, having come back from the ghetto and in hiding. My cousin Laci Vörös was still missing. He was far away still coming home from Mauthausen.
At this time Zoltán Vas was in charge of supplies. Later he became Budapest's mayor. Under his administration life got going in Budapest. Milk, so important was being sold at the Hold (Moon) Street market. Mrs. Sándor Nagy, an employee at the embassy, rushed off with a bottle, never to return. She was found at the corner of Vécsey Street, lying in a pool of blood with her broken milk bottle. The Germans in Buda finished her off with a hand grenade.
Gradually the embassy was set in motion. Many stopped by. They found it inconceivable that life could ever get back to a normal state: the destruction, the blown up bridges, the never-ending siege, so much misery. They assumed that it would take at least fifty years for their capital to be rebuilt. Such a depressing sight! Some houses burnt down, or completely caved in. On the Nagy (Grand) Boulevard others appeared to be dangling between heaven and earth. The Adrian Insurance building on Deák Ferenc Square was still smoking.
Among the visitors to the embassy were my rescuers Vali and Loli these two incredibly courageous humanitarians, ready to risk their lives to save another's. Their elegant appeareance and good looks depicted an aristocracy which was most helpful in their mission. They had endured tough times since we last saw each other at Pasarét. I will never be able to repay them!...they are leaving for Paris...
My true identity could no longer be hidden from the embassy. I had to confess that my papers were false, but they let me stay. They would recommend legal status and an option for Swiss citizenship. I thanked them for their good will, but I could not consider leaving my native country, now that the Horthy-Szálasi fascist regime is no longer.
János Gyangyosi was the provisional government's foreign minister. As he was a close friend, the embassy requested that I go to Debrecen to see him for food supplies for the embassy's community. I was glad to be able to be of some service.