Eugene H. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Eugene H., who was born in Libau, Russia (now Latvia) in 1908. He describes moving to Belgium as an infant; growing up in Ghent; fleeing to England during World War I; his parents' deaths in the 1920s; marriage in 1935; living in Paris for two years; returning to Belgium; the outbreak of war; unsuccessful efforts to enlist in the Belgian military; joining the French Foreign Legion; returning to Belgium after the armistice; his wife's Resistance activities; supplying food to people in hiding or on illegal papers with her; his arrest; a few days imprisonment in St. Gilles; transfer to Breendonk; forced labor and beatings; six weeks in a military hospital in Antwerp; assistance from a German doctor; and transfer to Auschwitz via Plauen. He recalls work in a factory; close relationships with a French woman and the rabbi of Strasbourg (he led others in prayer); the death march; transfer to Mauthausen, Melk, and Ebensee; liberation by United States troops; and returning to Belgium via Linz. Mr H. recounts finding work; divorce and remarriage; and his son's birth. He discusses his sense of isolation and the importance of his few French-speaking friends in the camps.
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
- H., Eugene, -- 1908-
Corporate Bodies
- Ebensee (Concentration camp)
- Melk (Concentration camp)
- Auschwitz (Concentration camp)
- Breendonk (Concentration camp)
- Mauthausen (Concentration camp)
Subjects
- Postwar experiences.
- Aid by non-Jews.
- Forced labor.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Prisoners and prisons, German.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, French.
- Resistance.
- Friendship.
- Concentration camps -- Psychological aspects.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Underground movements -- Belgium.
- Death marches.
- Men.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Concentration camp inmates -- Religious life.
- Video tapes.
- Holocaust survivors.
Places
- Libau (Latvia)
- Antwerp (Belgium)
- Brussels (Belgium)
- Paris (France)
- LiepaĚja (Latvia)
- Plauen (Germany : Concentration camp)
- Linz (Austria)
- England.
- Ghent (Belgium)
- Latvia.
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat