Rose Ickovits Weiss Svarc

Forces of Darkness: Personal Diary of Rose Ickovits Weiss Svarc
from 1938 to 1946

published by the
Concordia University Chair in Canadian Jewish Studies

Copyright © Rose Ickovits Weiss Svarc, 2000

Editors’ Introduction

This memoir is a segment of a much longer manuscript which transcribes the author’s journals kept over a period of six decades. This excerpt consists of the entries that deal with her wartime experiences. They are written in a non-sequential form, where past and present are interwoven. Some of the entries were written soon after the events described, while others were noted many years later. The memoirs vividly describe the onslaught of the war against the Jews from the perspective of a young woman whose private life is suddenly disrupted and who must cope with the terrible knowledge that her loved ones and her world have been irrevocably destroyed. This is a unique record of the emotional life of a woman who survives the genocidal ordeal and strives to reconstruct her life, first in Paris, later in Canada.

The dates that accompany the entries indicate the time of writing.

The author wishes to acknowledge with thanks the assistance of Louise Halpern who typed the manuscript, and Professor Mervin Butovsky who proposed the publication of the memoir and aided in its editing.

Key Words

Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen, Birnbaumly, a village, Boulayes (40 km. from Paris, former Rothschild estate, quarters for refugee/survivors), Hungary, labour brigades and camps, Liberce (town in Czechoslovakia), Dr. Mengele, Okemence (town 20 miles from Ungvar), Paris, Slovakia, Ungvar (town in Czechoslovakia), Uzhorord ghetto

Abstract

Editor's note: this manuscript is an excerpt from an extensive diary the author has maintained for over 60 years. This selection transcribes her wartime experiences. The narrative unfolds in a non-sequential manner; past and present are interwoven and temporal sequences sometimes overlap.

This excerpt is Part III--earlier entries deal with pre-war experiences--and is written in Paris in 1946 when the author was 26 years old. Describes her state of mind as a survivor. Most of her family, including her husband and infant son, have been killed and she seeks to reconstruct her life. She recalls 1943 when she married and became pregnant. Describes the difficulties of married life under threatening conditions. In 1946 is transferred by the Joint Distribution Committee to Boulayes, outside of Paris, a mansion on the former Rothschild estate. Describes her first post-war Yizkor memorial ceremony. Recalls her ordeal in Auschwitz - including the arrival of the Hungarian Jews in 1944. Details the transformation of her cousin Alice, who had been appointed as supervisor of barracks. How she imposed harsh treatment on the inmates in order to maintain discipline and save lives. Alice survives the war and shares quarters with the author, but she is physically and mentally broken. Describes the transport from her town Ungvar to the camp, an event that had occurred two years previously. She is carrying her six-month old infant son, but is separated from him when disembarking from train. She never sees him again. Describes selection by Dr. Mengele. On that day she loses her son, parents, two sisters, mother-in-law, seven sisters-in-law, four brothers-in-law, fifteen nieces and nephews, two uncles and many cousins. Recounts her emotional development and episodes of family history.  Provides excerpts from her diary written in 1938 when she was eighteen years old and living in pre-war Czechoslovakia. These were retrieved from their hiding-place after the war. Describes disruptions and mobilization with onset of the political crisis. Germany and Hungary seized territory from Czechoslovakia and the Hungarian army entered the town. Restrictions imposed on the Jewish population in areas of education and commerce. Describes the grave uncertainties and anxieties of the period. Reports on incidents of anti-Semitism by Hungarian ethnics. Jewish men are conscripted to Hungarian labour brigades. Transcribes excerpts from her husband's letters and diaries--also retrieved after the war--which he sent her from the labour camp. Reports that the earliest accounts of concentration and death camps reached them in 1942. Describes conditions suffered by Jews during 1942-43, her last meeting with her husband when she travels to his labour camp. Relates how her sister-in-law kept the news of her husband's death from her; she learned of his death on the Russian front only at war's end. The ghetto for Jews was established in 1944. Transported to Auschwitz. Describes being shaved; and conditions in the barracks. Reports that inmates were given information by the block leader about the fate of their families.  Provides recollections of Auschwitz written in 1946. Living conditions in the camp, as well as educational and cultural activities organized by inmates. March to Birnbaumly, a village where work-camp was located. March to Bergen-Belsen and description of the conditions there.  Liberated on May 15, 1945. Narrative proceeds to express her views on the genocide and how the Germans succeeded for a time in deceiving the victims. Enumerates the reasons for her personal survival. Provides journal entries dated 1946 describing the celebration of the first post-war Pesach seder at Boulayes, France. Recalls the liberation of the camp by Allied soldiers. Then narrative advances to 1959 and relates family history: marriage and children.  Concludes with account of her marriage and decision to come to the U.S. Her future husband settled in Montreal, where she joins him in 1951. Describes the financial and commercial advances of the family, and her experiences. Expresses gratitude to Canada for the opportunities afforded to her for a new life.