Under German occupation the deportation of Slovak Jews resumes. Between September and December 1944, approximately 12,600 Jews are transported to concentration camps, bringing the total of deported Slovak Jews to c. 70,000.
Nazi forces advance into Slovakia and begin to encircle Mikulas. Partisan forces in the city retreat, and Oscar and his family move to the village of Bobrovček, where the partisans have established a base.
In response to a partisan uprising, Germany enters and occupies Slovakia. Encouraged by the Allied invasion of Normandy and news that Soviet troops are advancing towards Slovakia, the underground Slovak resistance movement revolts against the Tiso regime and the influence of the Nazis. As many as 80,000 fighters from the Slovak military, partisan groups, and foreign volunteers join forces in the Slovak National Uprising. After the organized rebellion is quashed by Nazi occupying forces in late October, partisan fighters retreat but continue resistance using guerilla tactics.
During the summer of 1944, Russian forces move up through Subcarpathian Rus towards Slovakia’s eastern border. The Russian advance is an important factor precipitating the Slovak uprising in August, leading to Germany's subsequent occupation of Slovakia.
Supplied with false papers by their friend the judge, the Štaubs have been living under assumed Christian identity in Prešov. Fearing they will be recognized as Jews, they decide to leave Prešov for a new location: Mikuláš [Liptovský Mikuláš] is located in the mountainous region of northern Slovakia.