War outbreak, the first days

Thank God that this journey is behind us. The crowds at the station were life-threatening, the train unimaginably overcrowded. We jumped into the departing train with more desperation than courage - and, of course, illegally - and were so lucky to be taken along. Our triumph was complete when we finally managed to get three seats in the dining car. The train travelled very slowly, almost sluggishly. All the bridges were under military guard, the first vague hint of war. Wroclaw! From here on to Schweidnitz - without a ticket, without luggage. Exhausted, we arrived in front of our house. Outside, under the tall trees in front of the gate, my husband walked up to us with heavy steps. ‘We're coming back - because there's a war.’ ‘War?’ No, I didn't believe in it. Who could take on such responsibility?