Gerda K. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Gerda K., who was born in Berlin, Germany in 1911. Mrs. K. recounts a happy childhood; antisemitic incidents; laboratory work in a Catholic hospital; she and her father losing their jobs when Hitler came to power in 1933; her father leaving Germany; joining him in Paris with her mother; her mother's death in 1934; obtaining jobs and adjusting to life in Paris, realizing they would not return to Berlin as they originally thought; German invasion; a round-up and two to three weeks in the Ve?lodrome d'Hiver; and transport to Gurs. She recalls over four months in Gurs; reunion with her father (he had been in about eight camps); his arrangement for their release; working on various farms in the area; living on false papers in Auch; working for the Red Cross in Auch and Toulouse; and return to Paris at war's end. She tells of emigration to the United States in 1947; aid received from HIAS, which she repaid; adjustment difficulties; wanting to return to Paris; meeting her husband; and her father living with their family.
Extent and Medium
1 videocassette (3/4" u-matic)
Conditions Governing Access
This testimony is open with permission.
Conditions Governing Reproduction
Copyright has been transferred to the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies. Use of this testimony requires permission of the Fortunoff Video Archive. The donor's full name may not be used in any publication.
Rules and Conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Process Info
compiled by Staff of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies
People
- K., Gerda, -- 1911-
Corporate Bodies
- VeĚlodrome d'hiver (Paris, France).
- HIAS (Agency)
- Gurs (Concentration camp)
Subjects
- Video tapes.
- Holocaust survivors.
- Antisemitism -- Prewar.
- Hiding.
- Fathers and daughters.
- Refugees, Jewish.
- Jews -- Migrations.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- Women.
- False papers.
Places
- Toulouse (France)
- Paris (France)
- Auch (France)
- Germany.
- Berlin (Germany)
Genre
- Oral histories. -- ftamc