Lilac Girls

The women are ordered out onto the platform; the town is picturesque, but they are met with nipping dogs and armed guards. As they march into the camp, Kasia hears the word “concentration camp” for the first time. Surrounded by tall walls and metal gates, a road wound through the middle of the camp; officially known as Camp Road, the women call it “Beauty Road.” The women emptied their pockets and gave over all their possessions. They are forced to strip and herded into a shower room. Herta assists a guard in getting Halina’s engagement ring off her finger and takes it. After, every woman’s hair is shorn short and sent to see Herta. Herta inspects the women’s genitals without care for their consent. Mrs. Mikelsky, who has been with the women since the train, refuses to relinquish her hold on her baby. Kasia helps Mrs. Mikelsky lie to the wardress, and they manage to convince them that the baby’s father is German. Binz orders the soldier to take the baby away. Halina protects Kasia from harm by speaking to Binz in German.

The women are released from quarantine after two weeks. They return to Block 32, which is overpopulated with other Polish women.