Mogilow, 14./12/1941
Dear Mr. Göttl!
As you can see, we are in Mogilow in the Ukraine, by the river Dniester. – On the other side of the Dniester, opposite Mogilow, there is the Romanian city of Ataki (Bas) where we are not allowed to go. We’re living in real squalor; there are 3 families in one tiny little room. In the last two weeks we haven’t been able to lay our hands on any food – not even if we were to pay a large sum of money. – The rich people can get food from out of town but we, poor souls that we are, are dying of starvation. – I am working on bridge construction, for which I get 1 kg of bad bread daily for 3 rubles. This is not even enough to feed my children, so my wife and I will literally
starve to death, if we don’t get help immediately. – It is with great despair that I am turning to you, dear Mr. Göttl, I don’t have anyone else I could turn to, and I hope that my cry for help will not fall on deaf ears. – Help me, however you can and wish to. – If you have the good will, you will find some way to help me. – I need money above all, and this can be sent very easily, and I also need food. – If you could send me a few kilos of baking soda (potash), I could get all sorts of food by way of exchange. In Radauti baking soda costs no more than 20 lei per kilo which means that 100-200 lei could save us. – I beg you; take pity on us and save us from starvation. – How are you and your dear wife? I told you a little about how we are. – I expect help from you to come quickly and therefore send my kindest regards to you and your wife,
Hersch Ellenbogen
My address:
H. Ellenbogen
Santierul Podukir – Mogilow – Ataci
Mogilow – Transnistria
Mr.
Filip Göttl
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