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In 1941 I finished 4 years of studies at the University and went to take a training course at the chemical factory in Slavuta in 300 kms from Kiev. On 22 June 1941 my fellow students and I were walking in the town on a lovely day – it was Sunday - when we heard Molotov’s speech on the radio. He declared that Hitler attacked the Soviet Union. It was a complete surprise for us. Radio and newspapers had convinced us that Hitler wouldn’t dare to attack the Soviet Union. We wanted to go to Kiev, but our management ordered us to stay until we completed our task. It was a problem to get on a train and director of the railway station pushed me into a railcar – his daughter also was far from home and he felt sorry for me especially thinking about his daughter that might also have to rely on somebody’s support. It took us about a week to get to Kiev since there were German bombers attacking us: the train stopped on the way and we scattered around hiding. At the beginning of July evacuation began in Kiev. My father worked as legal advisor at a military plant, and our family evacuated with the plant: my parents, Lev, Boris and I. My brothers were not mobilized to the front due to their poor sight. The train moved to the east. It was often bombed, but each time we escaped miraculously. When the train stopped we jumped out to get some water or buy some food. Our trip lasted for about 3 weeks until we finally arrived at Buzulk station near Kuibyshev, in 2500 kms from Kiev.
We were accommodated in a small room near the plant. There was a table and 2 beds in the room. My parents slept on a bigger bed, I slept on a smaller one and my brothers slept on the floor on some old rags. There was a small wood stoked stove in the corner where my mother cooked.
In August 1941 my father, brothers and I began to work at the military plant. This plant manufactured aircraft equipment. My father was a legal advisor and my brothers and I worked in shops 10 hours a day. We were provided with special clothing, winter coats and boots. This saved us during winter since we had very few things with us from Kiev: there was a common conviction that the war wouldn’t last longer than few months. Our mother did the housework. We received a small plot of land from the plant where we grew potatoes, pumpkins, onions and carrots, we ate everything that we grew, but this was not enough. We received food packages at the plant: cereals, bread and sometimes, so we didn’t starve.
The Kiev University was evacuated to Alma Ata, all the professors went there. I went there in September. I met my fellow students and we lived in the hostel. I didn’t stay long in Alma Ata. I prepared for graduation exams in 3 months and returned to Buzuluk with a degree.
We were accommodated in a small room near the plant. There was a table and 2 beds in the room. My parents slept on a bigger bed, I slept on a smaller one and my brothers slept on the floor on some old rags. There was a small wood stoked stove in the corner where my mother cooked.
In August 1941 my father, brothers and I began to work at the military plant. This plant manufactured aircraft equipment. My father was a legal advisor and my brothers and I worked in shops 10 hours a day. We were provided with special clothing, winter coats and boots. This saved us during winter since we had very few things with us from Kiev: there was a common conviction that the war wouldn’t last longer than few months. Our mother did the housework. We received a small plot of land from the plant where we grew potatoes, pumpkins, onions and carrots, we ate everything that we grew, but this was not enough. We received food packages at the plant: cereals, bread and sometimes, so we didn’t starve.
The Kiev University was evacuated to Alma Ata, all the professors went there. I went there in September. I met my fellow students and we lived in the hostel. I didn’t stay long in Alma Ata. I prepared for graduation exams in 3 months and returned to Buzuluk with a degree.
Location
Ukraine
Interview
Frida Khatset