The Voice Of Resistance
The last words of Mordecai Anielewicz, leader of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
It is impossible to put into words what we have been through. One thing is clear, what happened exceeded our boldest dreams. In our opposition to the Germans we did more than our strength allowed – but now are forces are waning. We are on the brink of extinction.
The Germans ran twice from the ghetto – but they returned stronger than before. One of our groups held out for forty minutes; another fought for nearly 6 hours. Several of our companies attacked the dispersing Germans. Our losses in manpower are minimal. That is also an achievement.
I feel that great things are happening and what we dared do is of great and enormous importance….
It is impossible to describe the conditions under which the Jews of the ghetto are now living. Only a few will be able to hold out. The remainder will die sooner or later. Their fate is decided. In almost all the hiding places in which thousands are concealing themselves it is not possible to light a candle for lack of air. We have no choice but to go over to partisan methods of fighting as of today
The fact that we are remembered beyond the ghetto walls encourages us in our struggle. Peace go with you, my friend! Perhaps a miracle will occur and we may still meet again! It is extremely doubtful.
The dream of my life has risen to become fact. Jewish Self-defense in the ghetto will have been a reality. Jewish armed resistance and revenge are facts. I have been a witness to the magnificent, heroic fighting of Jewish men in battle.
I shall do everything I can to save those who can still be saved, and to avenge those who were so bitterly humiliated in their last moments. And those who were ground into ash, I shall always see them alive. I will tell, I will tell everything, about our sufferings and our struggles and the slaughter of our dearest…
--Mary Berg, 15 years old
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