Adolf Tahedl

At the time it was horrific. During the afternoon we found out, and so that we could leave with our grandparents we only had half a day to pack what we wanted. We were only allowed to bring twenty or twenty-five kilograms. At a moment like that you have no idea what things are important. We quickly buried our nice tableware and things like that, because we thought that of course we would come and get it later.

The expulsion itself, I can still remember that a little. First of all by lorry and then by train, in a cattle car. During the journey the doors came open and my grandfather only just managed to grab my little sister’s pram in time. Otherwise she would’ve fallen out, pram and all. And then we carried on, we stayed at the starting camp in Furth im Wald for about two, three months, I’m not precisely sure. And then we got a room in a pub in Regenkamm.

It was in 1946 when they expelled us. Those were difficult times. Our mother was home alone with five children. Luckily my grandfather and grandmother were expelled with us together. Our mother got the message while turning grass over to dry. That day she received notice that we would have to leave our homeland the next day. We only had a few hours to think about what to bring with us. We probably buried some things, because we expected to return.

At the time the expulsion was terrible and I can imagine it was even worse for the adults, since they were still hoping we would one day return to our homeland, but sadly that wasn’t to be. But for me, looking back, it was actually something of a springboard, I was able to start an independent business and achieve something through my own efforts. While for the people who stayed behind, communism was a greater burden than expulsion, as I see it.