Leon W. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 0788
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Leon W., who was born in Stoyano?v, Poland in 1926. He recalls moving to L?vov in 1934; Soviet occupation in 1939; German occupation in 1941; arrest with his father and one brother; release three days later; learning most of those arrested had been shot; forced labor; and incarceration in Janowska in 1942. Mr. W. tells of working as a glazier; catching typhus which resulted in his selection; watching those in front being shot in a mass grave; being called out to remove corpses to the mass grave; and escaping by running into a large group of prisoners. He describes escape from Janowska; returning home; traveling to Stoyano?v; work on a farm; learning his four sisters had been taken in the liquidation of Stoyano?v and his parents had been deported; returning to L?vov; living with his two brothers until June 1943; their selection; and his return to Janowska. Mr. W. relates work in a "Death Brigade" that unearthed mass graves and burned the bodies; the uprising and escape of his "Death Brigade" in November 1943; being hidden by a Catholic family with twenty other Jews; and liberation by Soviet troops. Mr. W. discusses participation as a witness at the Nuremberg and Eichmann trials and many aspects of his experiences in this detailed and insightful testimony.

Extent and Medium

2 videocassettes (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.

Related Units of Description

  • Associated material: Leon Weliczker Wells Papers (MS 1463). Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library.

Rules and Conventions

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Process Info

  • compiled by Staff of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies

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Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.