Testimony of Israel Srulik Shifron Piernikow, born in Mir, Poland, 1926, regarding his experiences in the Mir Ghetto, in the forests in the Mir area and in the camp of the Bielski brothers in the Naliboki forest

Testimony of Israel Srulik Shifron Piernikow, born in Mir, Poland, 1926, regarding his experiences in the Mir Ghetto, in the forests in the Mir area and in the Bielski brothers' camp in the Naliboki forest Childhood in Mir; Hashomer Hatzair activities; rise in antisemitism, from 1937. Occupation of Mir by the Red Army, 1939; cessation of Zionist activity; arrival of refugees to Mir; German occupation of Mir, June 1941; burning of most of the homes in Mir; life together with other families in a wood storage shed; being informed on; murder of about 200 Jews accused of Communist activity; life under the German occupation including night curfews, prohibition of walking on sidewalks and forced labor; community assistance in improving living conditions; crowding; rumors about murder of Jews in nearby towns; "Aktion" (the slaughter), November 1939; in hiding in a pit; deportation to the Mir Ghetto; ghetto life including yellow badge; Judenrat activities; transfer to the Mir fortress, spring 1942; underground activity; information regarding Oswald Rufeisen, a Jew using a false identity who commanded the local police force; receiving a warning from Rufaisen regarding the expected liquidation of the ghetto; escape to the forests in the area with the aid of Rufaisen, August 1942; liquidation of the Mir Ghetto; hierarchy among the escapees; sorties to the villages to obtain food; receiving assistance from Belorussian villagers, life in the forest, winter 1942-1943; hunt after the partisans, spring and summer 1943; escape from the Germans deep into the forest; joining the Bielski brothers in the Naliboki forest; life in the Bielski camp including workshops and cultural evenings; liberation by the Red Army, June 1944; being drafted into the Red Army, injury in the Koenigsberg area, January 1945; hospitalization in Ural; end of the war, May 1945. Release from the Red Army; life after the war; unsuccessful aliya attempt to Eretz Israel; detention in Cyprus; aliya to Eretz Israel, 1947.