To our dismay, we began to hear rumours that a large transport of gypsies was to be taken to Auschwitz on the following Sunday and as there were still a few cattle trucks to be filled, Jews would be loaded to make up the cargo. Since we were amongst the newest arrivals Mr Hirsch had not had a chance to secure work for us. We felt we were bound to be among the unlucky ones. We then realized that this was the step into the abyss. Auschwitz was in Poland, far away in enemy territory. We had heard on the BBC that it was known as an extermination camp.
