Diaries: 1945 March 11-1945 June 20; 1945 June 25-1945 November 5; Loose material from diaries

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more work and greater districts. A good sign though for consolidation, that they could go home.

My hairdresser planned to open his shop this noon, he could not finish cleaning out all the broken [strikethrough] things [/strikethrough] glass and plaster but tomorrow morning work will begin there too and I shall be the first client. Shops, in a short time will have to open compulsorily. Allegedly Soviet troups will leave Budapest by the 5th of April, we hardly see any of them now. Győr, Komárom, Sárvár are taken by the Russian army, frontline about 150 kms far from Bpest and seems to be still [strikethrough] in progress [/strikethrough] moving. (You see the trouble with the diluted ink. Recently [strikethrough] seen [/strikethrough] I saw a bottle of fountain pen ink: 16 Ps, refused to buy it at such a price but I see, I have to do it at next time.)

Some of the Russians soldiers [strikethrough] retail [/strikethrough] tell us they were told, we Hungarians are living in pigsties, etc, just the same sort of propaganda here was going on about them. I do not see, why is it needed.

March 31, GoodSaturday I had Bö here this morning, we both felt happy about it, after all, we survived together. She has lost almost everything, starved and else had no easy time, but is living and healthy. He took the loss of the bracelet splendidly. Has given up her flat to her brother in law, is living with his mother at Pozsonyi út 28. She has the news, inflation is coming, the government prints two [strikethrough] milliard [/strikethrough] billion worth of banknotes, so prices will [strikethrough] surge [/strikethrough] rise. I must not go down with fees.

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Same nights. The Benda boys have arrived from Csepel. Laci, who works with 220 men war - [strikethrough] workshop [/strikethrough] plant, states, that this morning their Russian captain cancelled all orders for ammunition [strikethrough] finally [/strikethrough]. No more for them, until now they could never have enough. With the Russian troups on Austrian territory, allies at Paderborn and Heidelberg, they must have some definite knowledge about the end of war. In Hungary, Szombathely, Kapuvár and Kőszeg have fallen.

April 1st, Easter Sunday The most beautiful Easter [strikethrough] in the beginning [/strikethrough]. Cool [strikethrough] a bit [/strikethrough] but so much sunshine, it is obvious, it will warm up [strikethrough] until [/strikethrough] by noon. Taken all into consideration, Germans almost out of the country, allies permanently on [strikethrough] this [/strikethrough] these parts, not very much looted, not exactly starving – well, I can be really light hearted, especially as postal connection can not be very far between us. Tibor has seen American or British soldiers on the Pest streets yesterday. In a few minutes I shall set out for my Pest tour to see Lacy, then the Marvoys and to lunch with Hanna. The Horthy Miklós bridge is going to be opened this afternoon at 4 o’clock, I am going to come back that way. The Russians did marvels with these quick bridge buildings.

Same night. Back with provisions. From Lacy I got potatoes, [strikethrough] Pritamin [/strikethrough] and tea, from Hanna powdered eggs, onions, cigarettes and bought coffee, Nene did not have the cigarettes [strikethrough] yet [/strikethrough] promised, but may be Thursday when I have to go over again. At these three families I ate cakes at least 100 Ps

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worth ( not so much in quality really) I needed it, [strikethrough] badly [/strikethrough]. Károly Lakos promised to help me next week to send you a cable via Bucharest, to let you know I am living and to cancel your payment of your cheques. I hope this Russian fellow whoever took the checque will not be able to get ahead of me.

April 2, Easter Monday This day was – as the weather – is not any more so beautiful [strikethrough] as yesterday was [/strikethrough] but still, not bad. I lunched with the Horchlers, cold ham, mixed salad, cakes and coffee. The afternoon two pianists turned up and gave us good music. Liszt, Schubert, Chopin. It was wonderful. In days before we were spoiled by radio. We could switch on a Toscanini concert and any amount of real music. [strikethrough] Before [/strikethrough] A month ago, on the other hand, we could not believe [strikethrough] it will be possible to [/strikethrough] that we shall have a musical Easter Monday. I am dizzy, almost intoxicated by the beauty Liszt’s Lovedreams, a Chopin valse and the Third Consolations. Miklós Vertán, who lives in the house [strikethrough] opposite me [/strikethrough] [across] promised to play the evening some more.

April 3, Tuesday There is no sunshine this morning. A pearly, light greyness is covering all, but you can feel, there is sunshine not so far away, may be soon coming out. No cold at all. I was up early, had gymnastics and my bath, was down for hot water for the teapot had breakfast in bed and reading Compton Mackenzie’s Queen Christine, very peacetime way of livings. This is one of the first moments, I am home

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sick for the old city, to have a good bus [strikethrough] fare [/strikethrough]ride or call [strikethrough] by the phone [/strikethrough] a taxi, go over, have a look round and spend money, drink a coffee at Pick-ace or Flóris ( they both opened, I am told). This is no more a hopeless homesickness, the city of Bpest shattered and [strikethrough] a bit [/strikethrough] ruined, at some places [strikethrough] burn [/strikethrough] wiped out will revive only the traffic facilities will be missed for a long time and we inhabitants of Buda can appear there but like tramps like. Gizi [strikethrough] to [/strikethrough] will be in her office regularly has to go over at the beginning of the week, live there and return home the weekend. She met [Iván] last week on the street Iván. They are living but allegedly [strikethrough] suffered out totally [/strikethrough] lost everything. They have abandoned their house during the fights for the shelter of Hunnia. I can see our furniture in pieces and Scotty’s big cabincoffee pillaged. May be my box with the chosen books will be there, books as a rule, did not interest either Russians soldiers or the neighbours, who generally helped in the pillageing.

A long legged youngster just left, he asked for a certificate to be exempted from hard labour (a lesion of the knee). He is 17 years old, seven years younger then you. I thought, it is impossible to be so much younger [strikethrough] as [/strikethrough] than you, except for babies. And here it is. I suppose, when next time I see you, you will be in respectable, middle age matron.

April 4, Wednesday A real April day, clouds, wind, but for intervals glorious sunshine. Not [strikethrough] especially [/strikethrough] too much work. All the time I feel so lighthearted as if you

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you would be at least in Bucharest or Nagykanizsa. This latter has fallen too, so Sopron. Now the only Hungarian town still in German hands is our poor Magyaróvár. I hope not long, but the delay is enough to the destruction of a town. [strikethrough] Flack [/strikethrough] AAC can be heard all around us, this is the tenth time, German planes come over Bpest since they lost it. They are coming in ones or twos, nothing serious. These parts of the capital are so peaceful, we hardly see any Russians and I almost forgot all my Russian, I have learnt. Only davai, davai seems to be staying with us, this you can hear everywhere it means get out or go away.

April 5, Thursday Over to Pest . At Nene I got 200 Daru cigarettes for the old shop-price, at Naruda I got some white powder instead of denaturated alcohol, 140 Ps/kb powdered milk I did not get any more, neither [strikethrough] saltamas [/strikethrough] raisins, at Meinl very nice coffee (big beans) 130 Ps/10 dk, walnuts 38 Ps/ 10 dk , I dk of élesztő , 8 Ps fountain ink, one small bottle 16 Ps, etc, etc.

Coming home I met Médike, Mrs Szentkirályi, they survived all, Pisti went away with his office to Sopron. Today’s news announcement the “liberation” of all Hungary, Western frontline: Karlsruhe taken and allies nearing Bremen. Sure in this war everything lasted longer, then we believed [strikethrough] should [/strikethrough] it would but in spite of the fact, I hope for the war’s end in a few weeks now here in Europe. Dearest, what a lovely thing to see a war finished, instead of beginning!