In December of 1984 I met a most interesting elderly couple - a Mr. and Mrs. Roy Segall. Our meeting at a party led to an invitation to visit them at their home, an invite which I most willingly accepted. At their home, our conversation was stimulating enough - we spoke of various things, and spoke in English, German, French, and Russian. Roy was conversant in several languages, as was typical among Jewish immigrants. When I asked about his origin, that is when it got even more interesting.
Roy explained that the name "Segall" was made up of two parts: the first being Segan and the second being Levi. Back in the annals of Judaism, a Sagan was described as one who replaced a high priest (Levi) if he were unable to fulfill his duties, hence, Sagan-Levi.
In looking around his study, I noticed he had a respectable collection of books. In the center of his large bookcase was a set of perhaps two dozen larger books in an exquisite blue binding. No, this was not an encyclopedia, for none ever existed with such a high quality of craftsmanship. As I drew closer to have a better look, my eyes were drawn to a hole in the spine of one of the volumes toward the center of the set. It had a peculiar shape - about an inch in length and was elliptical - a sort of vertical puncture slit in the middle of the binding's spine.
As one who appreciates a well-bound book, I was sad that some bad luck had aparently befallen the collection, for one of the tomes to be thus marred and damaged. This sentiment I expressed to Roy, and he grew serious and bade me sit down so he could tell me the story - of the hole in the book.
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☭It was in the early Forties. Lithuania, at that time a "Republic" of the Communist USSR (since 1919) , had been invaded by Nazi Germany. To most people, Nazi occupation was naturally greatly feared and strongly resisted. This was not necessarily so in Lithuania! When the German troops goose-stepped into that tiny Soviet Republic in 1941, instead of trembling in fear, many Lithuanians saw Nazi occupation as a liberation of sorts. Here, many thought, was their chance to throw off the Soviet yoke - to finally rid themselves of Russian repression and push later for greater autonomy eithin the Third Reich.
There were others who did not see this invasion as a good thing. Among those who were terrified of the onslaught were the approximately 208,000-210,000 Jews living there - and for good reason. They had heard of massacres and persecution of Jews elsewhere, and were not sticking around to join the welcome party for the Nazi invaders.
Early on, Jews were simply expelled from some areas, but as The Final Solution made it clear that Jews were to be exterminated, Einsatzgruppen (German death squads) pursued or hunted these refugees relentlessly, massacring them in large numbers. These Einsatzgruppen set up checkpoints to intercept refugees and kill them on the spot. Most Jews decided to run for their lives rather than stay and be shot where they lived - but fleeing was also extremely dangerous.
As has happened in other countries, many Lithuanian Jews were aided in their escape by fellow locals (and as a result, numerous non-Jewish Lithuanians were summarily shot for helping them!)
Roy described in vivid detail the day his family boarded a hay wagon. They were told to keep absolutely quiet. It was not too far from the border, and from there they could find help as best they could. The next few kilometers, however, would represent life - or death.
The wagon, pulled by an old horse and piled high with hay, was a common sight in the picturesque countryside, and consequently drew no attention at all - that is, until the checkpoint was reached. The wagon was driven by a farmer, a kindly local who had previously helped others through this gauntlet. He was, once again, knowingly risking his life for this innocent family.
The horse plodded on for what seemed like an eternity. This was by no means a First-Class rail ticket! Hay needles stuck and itched, and the load sometimes shifted a bit, filling the air with otherwise fragrant hay dust, but none of the huddled children in that old trap dared to complain or even sneeze. They sat perfectly still as the cart slowly rocked along that bumpy dirt road.
Up ahead, the farmer could see about a half-dozen German troops milling about and a gate arm that represented to the family he was carrying not only freedom but also LIFE itself!! The farmer gave a slight whistle, meaning to communicate to his passengers that they were nearing the border, and everyone hunched down - now trembling with fear.
These particular border guards were not Death Squad members - they were just a few ordinary low-ranking soldiers who only wanted to get through the day. They had seen the farmer several times before, delivering his "hay" and thought nothing of it - but they had to do their duty.
"HALT!" shouted one guard - the wagon came to a standtill. Two others gave a cursory look around - and even UNDER it. Then one of the guards, just to be sure, thrust his rifle with fixed bayonet deep into the huge mound of amber hay! It was stopped - probably by the wooden side of the wagon. It was a cursory probe - these guards really did not want to be bothered.
"RAUS!" shouted the same guard - get out of here! The farmer shook the reigns, and the old horse plodded on down the dusty road. To the farmer and that old mare, it was just another delivery of hay to a nearby stable. To little Roy and his siblings, their lives had been spared.
"And you see this," Roy said, his voice wavering as he picked up the volume and pointed to the hole in the book, "THIS is where the German bayonet hit... We had piled up these books around us in case this were to happen, and it did... and I was right behind this very book. So you see," he continued, "This is my FAVORITE of all the books I have ever owned, for it saved my life - and my family's!"
Never judge a book by its cover!
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There are milllions of stories - many did not have such a pleasant outcome. Many did not get to be told. This man was one of a small number of survivors who lived to tell the tale. I do not want his story to die with him. I want to share Roy Segal's story especially with anyone who believes the Holocaust did not happen.
Wikipedia says:
"Out of approximately 208,000-210,000 Jews, an estimated 190,000–195,000 were murdered before the end of World War II (wider estimates are sometimes published), most between June and December 1941. More than 95% of Lithuania's Jewish population was massacred over the three-year German occupation — a more complete destruction than befell any other country affected by the Holocaust."
