Léon H. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 4026
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Léon H., a Catholic, who was born in Verviers, Belgium in 1918. He recalls the family's bakery; military service in 1940; deserting rather than surrendering; returning home; joining the Resistance; an encounter with collaborators; blowing up electrical lines; arrest on May 22, 1942; four months solitary confinement in the Citadelle de Liège; transfer to Bochum; forced factory labor; sabotaging the work; praying with other prisoners; transfer with other French and Belgian "Nacht und Nebel" prisoners to Esterwegen after four months; a friend sharing bread with him when he was sick; organized exercise and discussion groups; a failed escape attempt; transfer to Börgermoor, then Untermassfeld; liberation by United States troops; repatriation; reunion with his family; living with his sister in Ostend; and benefits as a former prisoner. Mr. H. notes his optimism in camps; not learning about the Jewish Holocaust until after liberation; and not sharing his experience until recently.

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

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.