It is still early morning when we get to Losonc. The gendarmes close in on us at the station and we are lined up in rows of three in front of the rail yard. Our procession passes by the passengers who look at us with compassion, some with tears in their eyes. Later I understand their concern. On the main street we see human beings that were strung to acacia trees - dead. Fixed, to their battledresses were placards "This is What We Do to Traitors and Deserters".
As we march, people stand at the edge of the sidewalk, some kneel and cross themselves. Then we realize where the gendarmes are taking us...The huge buildings and barracks are enclosed with iron bars...there is no one in the yard. Sentries who direct us to the entrance in the back of the building replace the gendarmes. We go up the spiral staircase to the rear. On the first floor in the corridor we are split up. The iron gates of the cells squeak as twelve of us are shoved in - a tight squeeze, barely a meter wide - halt of us stand, the other half sit. In the corner, near the gate, there is a slab where I sit or stand. We wait - we don't know what's coming.
There is a tiny opening - high up on the wall, which cannot be reached. Surviving here for any length of time would be impossible. Then somebody begins to open the lock. A lance corporal steps in to fill out forms on everyone. When completed, I am brought out to the hallway.
"Where are we actually?" I ask.
"This is an assembly camp". The sign in the front of the building indicates "Administration Office" and to our shock we are told that the criminal court is in the back. The guard tries to comfort us and says "With a little luck, you might just make it."
Then he begins to talk about himself. Apparently he was a musician. He played the violin in the theatre orchestra. He hates what he is doing and would love to be back in Várad. I tell him about Éva and about Ernő Szegedi, her piano teacher and another of his pupils, György Faragó. Now we have become good friends, and he lets the others out of the cell so that we can wash. He promises that our cell will be the first to be liberated.
I had a hundred pengő note hidden in the lining of my boot, ready for any emergency. I tried to give it to him, to encourage him to keep his promise. But he would not accept it. "Its the doctor you should thank that he is not confining you to the cell for the night. You will have your hearing today".
Fantastic! We were brought down to the yard and I coached Károly what to say should he be heard before me, so that our stories not conflict. We were directed to the street front building and entered a spacious room with a winding staircase, then to another room with a long table. The clerk seated us - Károly behind me. We were grilled one by one. The captain was at the centre - at each side an officer of a lower rank and a sergeant major as well...they wanted to know the company's number, my last stopping point. Then they asked me why I opted for this particular route.
My answer "706/1, Sajólénártfalva, Budapest-Kőbánya."
The captain whispered to the warrant officer at the end of the table. He was told to make note of my statements. I hear Károly sighing behind me. We will be on our way to Germany, not Kőbánya. It was obvious. The officer was verifying my statements in his books, checking the regiment number and then he whispers to the captain that there was no record - then further cross-examination regarding the events that brought about our separation from the company. I explain that my commanding officer put me in charge of health service. This resulted in the rescue mission for the lance corporal, who is present. I stopped a German passenger car requesting transportation to the Putnok hospital. I have papers authorizing this. It was my duty to stay with him until we return to the regiment.
I see that they are verifying my account with the papers I had presented as well as the Putnok hospital's official pass. The records from the hospital were there and this was the last officer's entry. Fortunately there was no record of our getting caught in Királd. (Thank you, artillery officers) But there was still some grilling.
It was obvious from their questioning that they suspected us of deserting. How could they even think that their corporal and this good samaritan could be capable of such a deed - we who are so dedicated to serve our country! But the facts and the situation brought positive results. The interrogation was over.
Károly was next. He was right behind me. He heard every word. I should have warned him not to mention the visit to the Czakós. But Károly was not put through any grilling - only simple routine questions. He repeated everything I had said and was feeling most confident. But all hell broke loose - Varga came with "Could you please tell me where I can pick up my gun?"
For a moment there is silence then "Oh no, there is something very fishy here! These are the prisoners who were under arrest. I see." Our beautiful testimony has fallen apart. How will we get out of here? But I come up with a reply. "Captain, I swear that the corporal's gun was left behind at the Putnok hospital. He was brought there in a coma. When we left the hospital, the building was being evacuated, and that is how the corporal's gun went missing." Károly realized his terrible goof. He looked at me and I see him turning red - right to his ears.
The Captain replied "Corporal, next time take better came of yourself and your gun" - and we are free! We have our papers, our military passes with the orders - back to the regiment Budapest-Kőbánya railway.
"You may go" - such beautiful words!
We salute and close the door. Károly wants to say something but I hurry him on passed the gate. We run all the way to the barracks and present our papers with the new rubber stamp to the guards and we are off.
We rush along the main street to the railway station. It is early in the afternoon. The next train in the direction of Budapest won't be till nighttime. They don't even know the exact time, so we just walk around. The waiting room is packed with soldiers and refugees. We check to see if any of our comarades are among them - but no. We wonder how things went for them. Károly would rather be on his way to Békés, but what would I be doing in Csaba? My wife and all of her family have been deported except for young brother-in-law. He is probably in some labour camp...I take out Éva's last letter so carefully folded. It was written on May 25. I read it - tears in my eyes.
"My darling, I will write you as often as they let me. This is the only way we can stay in touch. We hold so much of each other so deep within us that keeps us together in our hearts in our minds. This is the way it will always be, as long as I am alive. This is how it is, my love. Please write to me as often as you can. Stay healthy and strong in body and soul. Whatever is destinated for me, I shall try to be brave and endure - anything so that we can be together again. Do you understand, my love? I shall always be, your loving wife"I tuck this letter which had gone through censorship, into my 1944 diary. These sentiments were my reason for living through such terrible times...my longing for us to be together again.
Our train left Balassagyarmat station, soon to be stranded when another train pulled in beside us, heading in the same direction. As I look out from the window, I see a familiar face, a buddy from my troop at the labour camp. He tells me the troop is now in Germany - he escaped en route and is trying to get to Pest...and the train moves on.
By noon we are in Vác. Our train is surrounded by the gendarmes with the Arrow-Cross armbands. Its a raid - everyone off! There is a real mob scene. "The train is barricaded and passes checked. The group is separated. Károly and I are allowed back and the train starts off heading toward Pest. We begin to make plans.
First we will go to József Katona street to the Zoltáns. Perhaps we will be able to stay over. Magda Zoltán was Éva's professor. They had tried to persuade Éva to stay with them and not to go down to Csaba where there was a great risk of being deported. That was on March 19, a Sunday, visitor's day at Hajdúház. Éva had come to the unit so that we could be together. Going back by train, she learned that the Germans had already reached Pest. Instead of going to Pest, she went to Csaba via Szolnok, to be with her parents.
As we were traveling to Pest, we had no idea what was happening under the Szálasi regime.