Mr. Liebeler.

The Germans took you from Russia and took you back to Germany?

Mrs. Meller.

Yes.

Mr. Liebeler.

After you left Russia did you go to Germany?

Mrs. Meller.

I went to Poland first then from Poland to Germany, then from Germany to United States.

Mr. Liebeler.

Was Mr. Meller with you at that time?

Mrs. Meller.

Mr. Meller I met in Germany and married in Germany short before we came to United States. Year, I just may not be exactly in the dates. I am just a little bit forgetful always but I would say we met, 1946, I met him.

Mr. Liebeler.

Off the record
(Off record comment.)

Mr. Liebeler.

Concerning your departure from Russia, were you taken by the German Army from Russia or did you leave Russia of your own free will and go to Germany?

Mrs. Meller.

No; I was taken by the Germans from Russia.

Mr. Liebeler.

Was that prior to the retreat of the German Army or with the retreat of the German Army?

Mrs. Meller.

Part of the retreat.

Mr. Liebeler.

Why did the Germans take you from Russia; do you know?

Mrs. Meller.

They took many young people on the streets. If you walk on the streets they will make a circle around several blocks and who is inside everybody going by train. I certainly tried to prevent myself as much as I could to go out and then I talk a little bit German and all that, but I held part of luck little bit, I stay in country and worked for Germans for piece of bread so I wouldn't die of hunger because Russia was in bad shape, and then that very place hospital was retreated back. I went with or I had to stay and die of hunger. That way, I was brought piece by piece further deeper into Poland and Germany.

Mr. Liebeler.

You didn't really want to leave Russia at the time; you wanted to remain in Russia, is that correct?

Mrs. Meller.

That's quite a question. I never liked regime in Russia in politics. I don't understand those things but I never liked those regime in Russia; even at 16 I would ask father such questions it would raise his hair. I could not understand what was going around, why we could not talk freely at home and things like that, always afraid of something.

Mr. Liebeler.

Where did you learn to speak English, Mrs. Meller?

Mrs. Meller.

We took with my husband in Germany year before we came to United States, we took private lessons for about a year or little bit more than a year and when I came to United States I had pretty good vocabulary, I can speak and I could write but I was afraid to speak. I forget all my vocabulary as soon as someone ask me something.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did you come directly to Dallas when you came to the United States?

Mrs. Meller.

Sir, we came to New York and from New York, several names they call and says that in past times they send too many refugees in north, we suppose to go to Milwaukee and he says those families several go to the south, he said to Texas and I am ashamed to say I heard about Texas but never heard about Dallas. I heard Houston and Austin but never heard Dallas, and we----

Mr. Liebeler.

And then you came to Dallas?

Mrs. Meller.

We came to Dallas and are in Dallas 12 or almost 13 years here and love it.

Mr. Liebeler.

Do you work now, Mrs. Meller?

Mrs. Meller.

Yes, I work 11 years for Dallas Power & Light Co. as draftsman.

Mr. Liebeler.

As a draftsman?

Mrs. Meller.

Yes.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did you have training in draftsmanship work?

Mrs. Meller.

Yes; I love drafting all my life and I wanted to be architect but I finish school in dentistry and war came. I passed all examinations besides the main diploma when war started so I get my diploma--without the main diploma-- without examination of---from my dentistry examination but I get my diploma.