Last Letter of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Commander

April 23, 1943

It is impossible to put into words what we have been through. One thing is

clear, what happened exceeded our boldest dreams. The Germans ran twice

from the ghetto. One of our companies held out for 40 minutes and another for

more than 6 hours. The mine set in the "brush makers" area exploded. Several

of our companies attacked the dispersing Germans. Our losses in manpower

are minimal. That is also an achievement. Y. [Yechiel] fell. He fell a hero, at

the machine-gun. I feel that great things are happening and what we dared do

is of great, enormous importance....

Beginning from today we shall shift over to the partisan tactic. Three battle

companies will move out tonight, with two tasks: reconnaissance and

obtaining arms. Do you remember, short-range weapons are of no use to us.

We use such weapons only rarely. What we need urgently: grenades, rifles,

machine-guns and explosives.

It is impossible to describe the conditions under which the Jews of the ghetto

are now living. Only a few will be able to hold out. The remainder will die

sooner or later. Their fate is decided. In almost all the hiding places in which

thousands are concealing themselves it is not possible to light a candle for

lack of air.

With the aid of our transmitter we heard the marvelous report on our fighting

by the "Shavit" radio station. The fact that we are remembered beyond the

ghetto walls encourages us in our struggle. Peace go with you, my friend!

Perhaps we may still meet again! The dream of my life has risen to become

fact. Self-defense in the ghetto will have been a reality. Jewish armed

resistance and revenge are facts. I have been a witness to the magnificent,

heroic fighting of Jewish men in battle.

M. Anielewicz