Gaston S. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Gaston S., who was born in Metz, France in 1933. He recalls his mother's death in 1938, his father's remarriage in 1939; fleeing to Angoule?me at the outbreak of war with his sister, father and stepmother; learning of round-ups and deportations in Paris which included family members; living in Montbrun, Brive-la-Gaillarde, Tho?nes, and Charavines-les-Bains; hiding during raids on local resistants and the Maquis; and his brother's birth while in Tho?nes. Mr. S. describes fleeing to Aix-le-Bain in March 1944; being left there with his sister; crossing the Swiss border; telling a Swiss guard (as they had been told to do) that their parents were already in Switzerland; transfer to refugee camps; reunion with their father; transfer to a foster family in La Chaux-de-Fonds for a year; two visits from their parents; returning to their parents in Brive in March 1945; and emigration to the United States with his father and sister in 1946 (his brother and stepmother joined them later). Mr. S. discusses his "obsession" with learning the fates of his family and Holocaust studies, resulting in his large book collection, visits to Europe to retrace his story, and writing his memoirs.
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.
Rules and Conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Process Info
compiled by Staff of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies
People
- S., Gaston, -- 1933-2008.
Subjects
- Video tapes.
- Men.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Family.
- Escapes.
- Foster parents.
- Brothers and sisters.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Children.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Underground movements -- France.
- Refugees, Jewish.
- Jews -- Migrations.
- Aid by non-Jews.
- Postwar experiences.
- Hiding.
- Child survivors.
- Holocaust survivors.
- Resistance.
Places
- Brive-la-Gaillarde (France)
- Montbrun (France)
- AngouleĚme (France)
- Metz (France)
- Switzerland.
- France.
- Charavines (France)
- La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland)
- Aix-les-Bains (France)
- ThoĚnes (France)
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat