The Jews in the camp kitchen are whispering about a Jew called Leon Feldhendler. He has been talking about escaping. Feldhendler was the head of the Judenrat in the Zolkiewka Ghetto, and had to carry out Nazi orders against the Jews, forming forced labour battalions, and herding Jews out of the ghettos and onto the trains. I hear it is his intention to help all the Jews in Sobibor escape. At least, those in Camp I and Camp II. Those in Camp III cannot be saved. It is clear to us all that security in Camp III is too tight to break. All of us have decided to become part of Feldhendler's plan, because it is clear that if any of us are left behind after the escape, we will be killed.

Feldhendler has recruited another Jew named Alexander Pechersky, who was once a soldier and a leader of men. Such military leadership is needed if six hundred Jews are to escape a well-guarded camp without being taken down by machine guns. All the others trust Feldhendler, and therefore we trust his decision to enlist Pechersky.

Feldhendler has gathered us for a secret meeting in his hut. Those of us who are able to attend do so, and the meeting is conducted in hushed darkness.

'There are rumours among some of the prisoners here,' says Feldhendler, 'that there will be no more trains arriving at Sobibor. The last of the Jews to be sent here have already gone to he chambers in Camp III. This means only one thing. That Sobibor will close soon. With no camp, they will have no need for any Jews to run it. We will be sent to our deaths just like the others. So now that we face the gas chambers, we have nothing to lose by trying to escape. Pechersky and I have formulated a plan, which has only a small chance of succeeding. This is a poor probability, but we believe it is the best and only chance we have. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are all ready to join an escape attempt. Pechersky. Please will you outline the plan.'

'Thank you . We want to make the break on October 13th, in three days time. This is what will happen. Malachi, Heshel and Ephraim. This is what I want you to do. At one o'clock in the afternoon, you will start calling guards into the tailors shop for uniform fittings. One by one you will kill them, as silently as possible. You must hide the bodies. I will say this now as it is vital to our plan. No Jew should be forced to kill, but if any Jew is unable to carry out an order to kill he must be killed. If he spoils the plan he will be killed anyway. Better that it is by our hands than the German's. Also I will say this. If any Jew talks about the plan or threatens to talk about it, he must be killed, for the good of the plan, and the good of the rest of us who are escaping. This plan is too important to be foiled by any one of us. Does everyone understand me?'

Everyone in the room nodded.

'Good. While they are doing that I want Jakob and Abraham to cut the telephone lines between Camp II and Camp I. You must cut the cable in two places. This will make it harder for them to fix. Next I want you to decommission the vehicles in the garage. Slash the tyres and cut the brake cables. Anything you like to ensure those vehicles to not run. This should be fairly easy as the garage is out of the way and will probably be unguarded when you get there. Now, once all the guards in Camp II are killed, I want Ilan and Gideon to put on the uniforms of the guards. In the meantime, I want you others to place any pieces of rope you can find, and wooden planks and digging materials at intervals along the perimeter fence. Most of the fields around the camp are mined. Although some of the mines are actually flares it is still very risky to exit the camp in any way other than the front gate, which is not mined at all. However, if all hell breaks loose - and when it does it will be every Jew for himself - then at least there will be tools available to make an escape through the fence if it becomes your only option. I have heard rumours that the fields behind the guard’s barracks are not mined either, but I have been unable to verify that fact. There is every likelihood that the guards will try to capture the gate as soon as they realise what we are doing. I hope for all our sakes that we are already well on our way into the Parczew Forest before they even realise what we are doing. Is everyone with me so far?'

Everyone nodded.

'After Ilan and Gideon have put on the guard's uniform, we will wait for roll-call. Gideon will blow the whistle for roll-call and everyone must assemble as normal in the courtyard. Wear warm clothes, because after the roll-call we will march right up to the gate and straight out of Sobibor.'