Blanche H. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Blanche H., who was born in Antwerp, Belgium in 1934. She recalls her affluent home; German invasion; her family's unsuccessful attempt to flee via Dunkerque; returning to Antwerp; antisemitic restrictions; humiliation at having to wear the yellow star; her father's deportation, followed by her brother's and sister's; moving to Namur with her mother; her mother seeking help from a Catholic priest to hide her; living with a family of nine children in Rhisnes (her mother hid in Antwerp); arrival of her mother; having to leave due to fear of exposure; relocation to an orphanage in Sorinne-la-Longue with Jewish and non-Jewish children; placement in another orphanage; limited rations and lack of sanitation; poor health; liberation by United States troops; reunion with her mother; a long hospitalization; resuming her education; returning to Antwerp; learning her father, brother and sister had perished; emigration to the United States; adjustment problems; marriage to a survivor; difficulty conceiving due to war-related health problems; the births of two daughters; and meeting others hidden with her at the Hidden Child conference. She notes her affection for the Catholic priest who helped her and many other Jews.
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
- H., Blanche, -- 1934-
Corporate Bodies
- Hidden Child Foundation/ADL.
Subjects
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- Women
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Children.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Video tapes.
- Holocaust survivors.
- Postwar experiences.
- Aid by non-Jews.
- Postwar effects.
- Hiding.
- Mothers and daughters.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Jews -- Rescue.
- Child survivors.
- Orphanages -- Belgium.
Places
- Sorinne-la-Longue (Belgium)
- Namur (Belgium)
- Rhisnes (Belgium)
- Antwerp (Belgium)
- Dunkerque (France)
- Belgium
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat