The horrific winter passed, and Johann and Helmut remained alive. How, they did not know. Working every day, all day, with next to no food, despicable sanitary conditions and the ever-present cold.
The spring sunshine warmed the air and melted away the snow. For a short time Johann cursed the thick mud they had to wade through every day. But now, his own life looked less bleak due to the splendid weather.
Throughout winter, Gerd had taught them the basics of Russian, and Johann was able to understand most of the commands and even hold a very basic conversation.
New prisoners arrived from some other camp and Johann climbed the hierarchy ladder to become a resident prisoner, with a slightly better standing compared to the newcomers. He jumped at the opportunity when a nearby kolkhoz, a co
