The reprisals of the camp management against the inmates after the escape was discovered

Immediately after the escape, some drastic measures were taken. Barbed wire was put up between the barracks. We were not allowed to visit other huts. Goodbye, free life in the camp! When we left the mine, we were always searched and maltreated.

All the guards took part in these brutal searches. But no, not all of them! One guard, Hegheduș, does not take part in the searches. He carries out the searches formally and non-violently. This Hungarian, a former violinist by profession, shows surprising humanity. Probably in the depths of his soul, he could not bear the brutality to which we were subjected, and his attitude, full of respect and subtlety, was his way of distancing himself from the behaviour of the camp management. Worried that we might lose this man of humanity, one day I said to him in Hungarian:

– Please hit me so that the political officer can see that you are also active!

– No need, he replied calmly.

His answer amazed me. What dignity and wisdom this man had!

After passing through these warning fires on our way out of the mine, the draconian persecution in the camp continued. After we left, the prisoners who had worked all night in the lead pit were put through their paces. It’s all designed to intimidate and humiliate. The guard on duty orders the assembly to carry out the planned “drill”. In a stern and commanding voice he orders: “Get down! And all the prisoners go to bed. “Stand up!”. And all the prisoners stood up. “March away!”. And the prisoners run until you hear: “Stand still! The prisoners stop. Then again “Stand down!”… then again “Stand up!”… then “Run, march!”… and so on.

Those who tried to resist were taken to the guardhouse and returned beaten to a pulp. Some were even mutilated, as in the case of Gioga the Parisian, who was hit in the eye and lost his sight for a while.

(Pr. Liviu Brânzaș – Ray from the Catacomb)