Last letters of The Manouchian Group May, 1944
Source: Philippe Ganier Raymond. L'Affiche Rouge, Fayard, Paris. 1975;
Translated: for marxists.org by Mitch Abidor.
Romanian -Jewish Communist Olga Bancic was not executed on February 21, 1944 with the rest of her comrades. She was sent to Germany and was beheaded on May 10. This final letter, addressed to her daughter Dolores — who was being hidden by a French family — , was thrown out a window while she was being transported. The note attached to it said: “Dear Madame: I ask you to please give this letter to my little girl Dolores Jacob after the war. This is the last wish of a mother who will only live twelve more hours.”
My dear little daughter, my darling little love
Your mother is writing the last letter, my dear little daughter; tomorrow at 6:00, on May 10, I will be no more.
Don’t cry, my love; your mother doesn’t cry any more either. I die with a peaceful conscience and with the firm conviction that tomorrow you will have a happier life and future than your mother’s. You will no longer have to suffer. Be proud of your mother, my little love. I always have your image before me.
I'm going to believe that you will see your father, and I have hope that he'll meet a fate different from mine. Tell him that I always thought of him, as I always thought of you. I love you both with all my heart. Both of you are dear to me. My darling child, your father is, for you, also a mother. He loves you a lot. You won’t feel the loss of your mother. My darling child, I finish this letter with the hope that you will be happy all your life, with your father, with everyone.
I kiss you with all my heart, a lot a lot.
Farewell my love.
Your mother