Diaries: 1943 January 14-1943 May 26; 1943 May 27-1943 October 13; Loose material from diaries

4 the state of affairs and she said such generalities, I could see she does not understand anything and hides it under some sybilline sentences.

You would not believe how many things are missed here since you left this country. There is very little milk, no butter, churn, cheese, rime or cream. No soap, meat, liver, kidneys, ham, salami, oil, e ggs on rations only, no liqueurs, no Eau de Cologne, no cakes, crakers [crackers], no tea or coffee, to day no more cigarettes, no matches. I could tell you still a long list of missing things and not have done with it. And how long this situation is going to last, deteriorating all the time. I can hardly believe we can survive all these if your side of the world doesn’t hurry up.

Jan 16. Saturday I suppose I have mentioned you before Elko’s idea that the heads of independent corporations (corp. is not exactly the best expression, I know) should intervene with the regent and government on behalf our military forces, that they should be withdrawn from Russia. He began it with Ravay, head of the biggest protestant congregation

5 in the country but he was evasive upon the subject, saying it has a taste of [1]918. Now Elko tells me – independently from his plan – the intervention has happened, Bethlen, Törely (judge of the high court) [(court of chancery:)] and Seredi as man catholic [strikethrough]archbishop[/strikethrough] prince primate of Esztergom had seen the regent on behalf 1.) not to give any more soldiers 2.) decent treatment of Jews. I do not hope it would help much as Germany will work greater and greater pressure upon us as the need comes but at least there was a protest against German methods and cooperation. It is said the regent had for the second time some sharp words with Jagow, nazi representative in Hungary ordered him out of the room. The old man is not so bad, after all the ambitions of Mrs Horthy recently, who wanted their two years old grandson elected as successor [strikethrough] of the [/strikethrough] in the regency, the regent declared he does not want anything and they should leave the boy in peace. Marianne who is a relation of the old man, told me this.

6 I spent the afternoon with Mrs. Fidy. Pista was there too and Eva came home later from the hairdresser. In her present soft mood of being in love and being engaged she is sweet and good natured really. She is one of the not very numerous persons who is happy that you are at home and believes that it is much better for you to be there. She too is very sweet towards me, used to sit close to me and overwhelms me with her talk, informations, etc. I fully appreciate it, sitting besides me instead of sitting with her Pista.

− Yesterday evening, walking home on the dark street I have seen there youths gesticulating and discussing something vividly. Getting nearer I heard one of them say: I absolutely decline to accept your insinuation that Socrates was a genius Platou [Plato] was a genius but Socrates not….

Today on the Danube embankment one middle-aged man said to the other – the finnish interests, taken from the geopolitical point of view…. I did not hear any more. But may be there is still some hope for us, being able of some

7 detachement [detachment] from actual events.

Jan. [January] 17. Sunday Dec.[December] 8 was the last day when I was able to enjoy sunshine sitting outdoors, in this year today was the first. In spite of a nice walk on the hill it is again unbelievable dull, I mean, life.

Jan.[January] 18. Monday. Yesterday Dédé was here, for a few days he is going home and about the 28. Jan.[January] he will be off for the frontline. I am knitting some warm things for him. This afternoon I spent with the Tordays, Macu’s sister, Eta was there too. Except Géza they are too narrow minded, no, short sighted is the word for it, [strikethrough] not [/strikethrough] to see a broader European, not to mention world horizon. This war for them is nothing else but the Jewish problem. Macu, who is very much afraid of air raids, expresses her sentiments like that: I don’t mind, if the Jews take everything from us only let be stopped air raids on civilian population.

The simultaneous raiding of Berlin and London show now the air supremacy: which

8 side can do it on a broader scale, which of them can hold out longer. This tooth for tooth stage of the war may mean one of the last [strikethrough] stages [/strikethrough] acts of the play.

Jan.[January] 19. Tuesday The siege of Leningrad is relieved, after sixteen months. The Russians seem to have successes all the line long. In North-Africa some action too. The most interesting months are ahead now, only a bit dangerous. – I had tea with Mrs Adorján, Zsu has left the Red Cross service.

Jan.[January] 20 Wednesday To Hanna, Ruci and Marianne Halasy had been here this afternoon. They all see things rather sinister now, not so optimistic, as a year before. This noon German planes had struck back on London, for the second time. If there is an air-superiority on allies side, they must show it now and hammer German bases, before their own country is destroyed. It seems that nothing can be definitely settled with air bombardments and nothing can prevent a strong force to do damage