Arne L. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 1123
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Arne Brun L., a non-Jew, who was born in Oslo, Norway in 1925. He describes his family; the political climate in the 1930s; German invasion in 1940; joining the resistance at age eighteen; his arrest; interrogations and beatings in Akershus castle; learning his file was lost, which saved him from execution; and being allowed to speak with his sister, which gave him courage. Mr. L. recounts transfer to Grini, then to Natzweiler-Struthof in 1944 where Josef Kramer was Kommandant; learning they were "Nacht und Nebel" prisoners - meant to disappear forever; arduous labor in a quarry (one-third died); transfers to Dachau, Ottobrun and Deutmergen; witnessing beatings and hangings; extreme hunger; return to Dachau in late 1944; a British friend who arranged his hospitalization and kept him off the list for medical experiments; and transfer in March 1945 to Neuengamme which was visited by the Swedish Red Cross. He details resistance activities in several camps; considers his survival was due to luck and optimism; and notes he did not discuss his experiences for forty years, although he dreamed about them.

Extent and Medium

2 videocassettes

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

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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.