Oscar F. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Oscar F., who was born in Zawalo?w, Poland in 1921, one of eight children. He recalls Soviet occupation in 1939; German invasion in 1941; help from a former schoolmate who was in the SS; round-ups by Jewish police appointed by the Judenrat; escaping from a labor camp with assistance from a non-Jew; moving with his family into the Podhajce ghetto; hiding with his brother during "aktions"; his mother lighting Sabbath candles despite the constant fear; escaping to the woods with friends; learning the ghetto was liquidated; seeking and finding many other escapees in the woods; leading them to a hiding place (his sisters, brother-in-law, and neighbors were among the escapees); hiding in bunkers; mass killings of Jews in hiding by Ukrainians resulting in frequently changing their locations; assistance from non-Jews, especially Jehovah's Witnesses; and liberation by Soviet troops in 1944. Mr. F. describes returning to Zawalo?w with his siblings; traveling to Hungary and Austria; living in the Linz displaced persons camp; and emigration to the United States. He discusses his continuing religious beliefs and shows family photographs.
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
- F., Oscar, -- 1921-
Subjects
- Aid by non-Jews.
- Mutual aid.
- Hiding.
- Bunkers.
- Refugee camps.
- Soviet occupation.
- Jewish councils.
- Escapes.
- Postwar experiences.
- Video tapes.
- Holocaust survivors.
- Jehovah's Witnesses.
- Brothers and sisters.
- Jews -- Ukraine -- Pidhaīt︠s︡i.
- Jewish ghettos.
- Forced labor.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- Men.
Places
- Podhajce ghetto.
- Linz (Austria : Refugee camp)
- Poland.
- Zawalów (Poland)
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat