Howard W. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 2066
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Howard W., who was born in Berlin, Germany in 1920. He recalls his family's strong German patriotism; their sense that nothing bad could happen to them in Germany; increased antisemitism following Hitler's ascent to power; Kristallnacht; expulsion from school; arrest; incarceration in Oranienburg; release due to intervention from his father's friend and a promise to leave Germany; traveling to Bratislava; detention in Patronka while awaiting a ship to Palestine; two months traveling on the Danube and Black Sea; severe weather; being shipwrecked on Kamilonisi; rescue by the Italian Navy; detention on Rhodes; receiving a Cuban visa in Rome; living in Rome, Milan, and Bologna; gathering information on German troop movements for the Vatican by eavesdropping at brothels frequented by German military; fleeing to Spain; arrest in Barcelona for submitting a false visa; help from the British embassy due to his espionage activities; traveling to Portugal; and arrival in Palestine in 1944. Mr. W. discusses recurring nightmares; learning his parents and brother had perished in Auschwitz; marriage; and emigration to the United States. He shows photographs.

Extent and Medium

3 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

  • W., Howard, -- 1920-

Corporate Bodies

  • Oranienburg (Concentration camp)

Subjects

  • Men.
  • Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
  • Holocaust survivors.
  • Video tapes.
  • Crystal Night, 1938.
  • Kristallnacht, 1938.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Religious aspects -- Catholic Church.
  • Espionage.
  • False papers.
  • Aid by non-Jews.
  • Mutual aid.
  • Antisemitism -- Prewar.
  • Concentration camps -- Psychological aspects.
  • Nightmares.
  • Forced labor.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
  • Prisoners of war -- Greece.
  • Castaways.
  • Refugees, Jewish.
  • Jews -- Migrations.
  • Postwar effects.
  • Postwar experiences.

Places

  • Barcelona (Spain)
  • Portugal.
  • Palestine.
  • Patronka (Slovakia : Concentration camp)
  • Rhodes (Greece)
  • Rome (Italy)
  • Milan (Italy)
  • Bologna (Italy)
  • Germany.
  • Berlin (Germany)
  • Bratislava (Slovakia)
  • Kamilonisi (Greece)
  • Vatican City.

Genre

  • Oral histories. -- aat
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.