Lev Pikus

Brest Partisans

Lev was only 12 when the war began in 1939 but immediately joined the resistance. He took advantage of his inconspicuous youthful appearance on reconnaissance missions: “I would wear a big bag over my shoulder. Under the guise of a beggar I walked places noticing what was there. I passed the information on to be processed and sent on to partisan detachments”

Walking around Brest and gathering information became Lev’s main job during the war:

“I didn’t know where the info I collected went further. My job was sniffing out, spying out and passing the info on. Every time my life was in danger. Anyone could shoot or beat me up”

Once a ghetto was established in 1941, Lev also as a liaison between the Jews and the resistance:

“When the ghetto was organized we would come there to pick up medications for the partisans. I was just 14 at that time, going on 15. They would protect me, keep me from involvement in dangerous missions. I was too young for that. I was a thin and weak boy because I was undernourished.”

Lev eventually settled in Toronto.