Theophile D. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 4227
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Theophile D., a Catholic, who was born in Zoutleeuw, Belgium in 1918, one of two brothers. He recounts his father's death in 1933; enlisting in the military in 1938; mobilization in 1939; German invasion; capture as a prisoner of war; transfer from Ghent to Wissel, Herzberg, then Stalag 1A; forced labor in a factory, then on a farm; release in January 1941; returning to his family; joining a Royalist group, then the Resistance; burning crops planted for German use; organizing train sabotage; hiding Allied pilots and Jews who had escaped from transports; his mother distributing clandestine newspapers; arrest with a Jew he was hiding; incarceration in Breendonk; torture; slave labor building fortifications; constant fear and anxiety; release after two months; re-arrest en route to Brussels; imprisonment in Antwerp as a Jew; release several months later; returning home; continuing to work in the Resistance; liberation; and enlisting in the Belgian army. Mr. D. discusses the importance of praying and faith to his survival; his belief that collaborators were not sufficiently punished; nightmares resulting from his experiences; sharing his experiences with his children and grandchildren; and visiting Breendonk with them.

Extent and Medium

5 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

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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.