Ben A. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 3042
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Ben A., who was born in Vilna, Poland in 1921, one of six children. He recalls antisemitic harassment; Soviet occupation; working in Hlybokaye; returning to Vilna; an influx of Polish-Jewish refugees; fleeing to Minsk when Germany invaded; returning to Vilna; forced labor; his father's arrest (they later learned he was shot); ghettoization; hiding with his mother and siblings during round-ups; conflicts between the ghetto underground and the Judenrat; learning his mother and some siblings were killed in Ponary while he was working; partisans bringing people to the woods; forcing his way into H.K.P. (Heereskraftfahrpark) in 1943; assistance from a German guard; in 1944 learning the camp was to be liquidated; hiding, with friends for three weeks; escaping to stay with a Polish farmer; and liberation by Soviet troops. Mr. A. recounts his draft into the Soviet military; deserting in Vilna; traveling to ?o?dz?; reunion with his sister; fleeing to Austria; his arrest; escaping to Linz; living in Salzburg displaced persons camp; joining Betar; marriage; and emigration to Israel in 1948, then to Canada.

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

  • A., Ben, -- 1921-

Corporate Bodies

  • H.K.P. (Concentration camp : Vilnius, Lithuania)
  • Betar.

Subjects

  • Hiding.
  • Postwar experiences.
  • Partisans.
  • Aid by non-Jews.
  • Soviet occupation.
  • Antisemitism -- Prewar.
  • Refugee camps.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, Jewish.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, Soviet.
  • Draft -- Soviet Union.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Jewish resistance.
  • Paneriai Massacres, Paneriai, Lithuania, 1941-1944.
  • Jewish councils.
  • Jews -- Lithuania -- Vilnius.
  • Jewish ghettos.
  • Forced labor.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
  • Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
  • Men.
  • Video tapes.
  • Holocaust survivors.

Places

  • Salzburg (Austria : Refugee camp)
  • Linz (Austria)
  • Vilna ghetto.
  • Minsk (Belarus)
  • Łódź (Poland)
  • Hlybokaye (Belarus)
  • Israel.
  • Vilnius (Lithuania)
  • Vilna (Poland)
  • Poland.

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.