From spring 1942 on, the author belonged to a Labour Company at Szbntkiralyszabadja near Balaton-Almadi in Hungary where a big military airport was being built; work was nearly finished - organized and supervised by Hungarians - when some Germans inspected it, found it useless and it had to be done all over again (p.1). In the strong and long winter, the strain became unbearable to the author, he malingered a nervous disease and was sent to Budapest. In July, he was transported to Poland; horrible conditions; halt at Strij; cases of insanity; big air-raid; of more than 200 men in the train thirty were still alive at arrival (p.2-3).

Mine-sweeping with Organisation Todt; the most dangerous part of the job used to be done by specially trained dogs, before the Jews had to take over (p.3-4). During winter 1943 1944 wood-cutting near Lemberg (p.4). Mass desertions (p.4-7). Retreat to Munkacs (p.5).When Horty’s attempt for a separate peace (15-X-44) failed and the ill-famed fascist Szallasi took over, there was disappointment among detainees, soldiers and civilians alike (p.5).

Transfer of the Jewish labourers to Losoncz (p.6-8), where shortly before a Slovakian revolt had been suppressed by the Germans and now the deserters caught in the neighbouring mountains were hanged in public. But the spectacle did not deter the onlookers but intensified their hatred. Early in November, the Labour Company was to be taken to the railway station for a further transport in sealed wagons; then half of the men deserted into the mountains; the night was dark and the Hungarian guards were helpless considering the number of the fugitives.

The Russian army did not turn up as soon as they hoped and they had a hard time hiding in the woods. Non-Jews helping Jews: The peasants sympathised with them and let them have some food.

In the first days of January 1945, they saw Losoncz in flames and went back there. They reported to the Russian commandant, and a Jewish officer helped them to get to Miskolcz, a bigger town already under Russian occupation for a few weeks. There they found food and assistance, as the Jewish Community was already reorganised (p.8).