Leo B. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 1217
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Leo B., who was born in Vienna, Austria in 1921. He recalls his father's death when he was nine; Viennese cultural life; smuggling himself to Belgium after the Anschluss at his mother's urging (due to the perception that it was more dangerous for males); attending trade school; German invasion; and deportation to southern France in an exchange for Belgians. Mr. B. relates conditions in Saint Cyprien concentration camp; a futile attempt to enter Switzerland; incarceration in Drancy; boarding a transport to Auschwitz on November 6, 1942; escape from the train while still in France; being sheltered by a priest; obtaining false papers; arrest; incarceration in Septfonds; escape in November 1943; joining the French underground and creating false I.D. cards; and learning after the war that his mother and sisters perished in Auschwitz. Mr. B. discusses bigotry today and the importance of survivors teaching the lessons of history to counter this.

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

People

  • B., Leo, -- 1921-

Corporate Bodies

  • Drancy (Concentration camp)
  • Saint-Cyprien (Concentration camp)

Subjects

  • Refugees, Jewish.
  • Jews -- Migrations.
  • Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Influence.
  • Escapes.
  • Aid by non-Jews.
  • False papers.
  • Resistance.
  • Antisemitism -- Prewar.
  • Video tapes.
  • Holocaust survivors.
  • Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
  • Men.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Underground movements -- France.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.

Places

  • Austria.
  • Vienna (Austria)
  • France.
  • Belgium.
  • Switzerland.
  • Septfonds (France : Concentration camp)

Genre

  • Oral histories. -- ftamc
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.