Part I, First Encounters, Chapter 1, Pinsk, '39' Summary and Analysis

At the end of September 1939, war is everywhere in Poland. Villages burn and everyone takes shelter from air raids. Refugees are all over the place. The author, his mother, and sister are on their way home to Pinsk, Poland when war breaks out. After traveling for several days, they are caught by Soviet soldiers. The author is seven years old at the time.

In the first grade, Ryszard must learn Russian and studies Leninism. His parents tell him not to ask any questions for fear of reprisal. The Soviets demand that the school children regularly wear Russian scarves with the faces of Russian leaders printed on them. Some classes are interrupted by gunfire and the beautiful Pinsk church is destroyed by cannon fire. This is a building...