There were rumors flying around Buna that the Russians were headed there to liberate the camp, but Elie had heard such rumors before and was not convinced. Shockingly, it was confirmed that the Red Army was on its way; Buna would be evacuated the following night, block by block. Only the sick in the infirmary would remain.
Those in the infirmary, including Elie who was recovering from a surgical procedure on his foot to remove...
There were rumors flying around Buna that the Russians were headed there to liberate the camp, but Elie had heard such rumors before and was not convinced. Shockingly, it was confirmed that the Red Army was on its way; Buna would be evacuated the following night, block by block. Only the sick in the infirmary would remain.
Those in the infirmary, including Elie who was recovering from a surgical procedure on his foot to remove pus, were wary about staying. Surely the Germans would blow up the camp as they left or simply send them all to the crematorium before the evacuation.
Elie wanted to be with his father and they discussed if they should evacuate or stay. Elie's doctor promised that his father could stay in the infirmary as either a patient or a medic. They had to decide to risk traveling to a new camp or staying put. Ultimately, his father decided that if Elie could walk, they would leave.
Elie found out that two days after that day the Russians did come and all those who stayed behind in the infirmary were liberated. It is likely that at this point in the war, the Germans were so weakened that they lacked the time and manpower to deal with the prisoners left in the infirmary, so they simply left them behind.
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