It's only a short distance up the Danube River to Bratislava. At night you walk across the border into Czechoslovakia. When you reach Marchegg, Brichah agents help you cross the border into Austria. You never learn about the bribes and other devices that Brichah used to make your trip possible, but you are deeply grateful.
With their help, you journey across Austria to Salzburg, home
of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a beautiful city high in the Austrian
Alps. To get beyond Salzburg, however, is not easy. The border with
Germany has been sealed shut by the American army, partly to keep
former Nazi leaders from escaping as refugees. You cannot
understand why you are prevented from going ahead. I'm not a
Nazi,
you argue. anyone can see that. Why should I be punished
for what those criminals have done?
An American army captain, Stanley K. Novinsky, hears your complaint. He is not a Jew; in fact, he comes from a Polish-American Catholic family. However, aware of what has happened to the Jews in Europe, he feels your pain deeply and quietly arranges for your safe passage. Soon, you are able to enter the Displaced Persons camp at Freilassing in southern Germany. Although conditions are not good, you are at least safe and among friends for the first time in many years. Wanting to express your gratitude by serving the camp in some useful capacity, you look into the opportunities open to you.
If you serve as a camp council leader, continue to page 109.
If you become active in the camp synagogue, continue to page 106.