MINNI Early on the second day I began to suffer from violent stomach cramps. I had very bad diarrhoea and needed to relieve myself almost immediately. I could hardly contain myself as I went to ask the Kappo at the end of the barrack if I could go to the latrines. ‘Verfluchte Mistbiene, 1 it is not your turn,’ she spat at me. ‘But I have to go!’ I was quite desperate. ‘You must wait for your turn like everyone else!’ she said. I could hardly believe that she would refuse me and I did not know what to do. I had terrible cramps that doubled me up and it was impossible for me to hold on for even two more minutes. I got outside the barrack just in time to crouch down and use a corner of the yard. But the Kappo had followed me out and she stormed over, yanked me up and cursed, ‘You filthy Jew!’ She slapped me around the head as hard as she could, yelling, ‘This is the way you will all die! Infected with dysentery and typhus – because you animals can’t control yourselves!’ She had a firm grip on my dress.
