Sigi Z. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 1317
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Sigi Z., who was born in Kassel, Germany, in 1928. Mr. Z. tells of his Polish family's isolation from German life; resentment of local German Jews toward Poles; expulsion from Germany in 1939; Poland's refusal of entry; his father's departure for London (they could not obtain visas for the family); and transport with his mother, brother and 1,000 others to Ri?ga in December 1941. He recalls conditions in the Ri?ga ghetto; massacres of Latvian Jews; forced labor in a fish processing plant; smuggling food; witnessing executions; transfer to Kaiserwald in April 1942; rejoining his mother and brother at an army camp at Kaiserwald; transfer in September 1944 to another army camp at Libau; and transfer to Hamburg city prison. He recounts transfer to Kiel-Hasse; execution of about fifty Polish officers; inclusion in an exchange organized by Himmler and Folke Bernadotte; recuperation with his mother and brother in Sweden; reunion with his father; and emigration to America in 1949. Mr. Z. reflects on his postwar career; adjustment difficulties; relations with his children; and the place of the Holocaust in contemporary society.

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

Corporate Bodies

Subjects

Places

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.