Czech Partisan medal awarded to a Jewish fighter
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 2.875 inches (7.303 cm) | Width: 2.000 inches (5.08 cm) | Depth: 2.500 inches (6.35 cm)
Creator(s)
- Paul A. Strassmann (Subject)
Biographical History
Paul Strassmann was born on January 24, 1929 in Trenčín, Slovakia. His father was an army officer for Austria-Hungary in World War I. He joined the Hashomer Hatzair at a young age. His family went into hiding as Christians in late August 1944. His mother and sister, Ella, were discovered and sent to Ravensbrück. His father, Adolf, was caught by the Gestapo and sent to Sachsenhausen. Strassmann joined the Jegorov Brigade, a partisan group, in September 1944 and then the Czech Army in April 1945. He fought in Bratislava, Slovakia until the end of the war. He left Czechoslovakia just before the Communists took power, living briefly in Paris and London before immigrating to the United States in October 1948. He studied engineering, worked in information system, and served as a government advisor.
Archival History
The medal was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1989 by Paul A. Strassmann.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Paul A. Strassmann
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
Czech partisan medal awardeded to Paul Strassmann. This revolt erupted in August 1944 as Communists, Slovak nationalists, Army officers, and partisans, including Jewish underground fighters from the labor camps, united to overthrow the pro-Nazi Tiso regime. In October, thousands of German troops arrived and the rebellion was crushed on October 27. Paul and his family, who were from Trencin, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) went into hiding as Christians in late August 1944. His mother and sister Ella were discovered and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp in Germany. His father Adolf was captured by the Gestapo and sent to Sachsenhausen. Paul, 15, joined the Jegorov Brigade, a partisan group, in September 1944. He joined the Czech Army in April 1945 and fought in Bratislava until the end of the war in May 1945. He left Czechoslovakia just before the Communists took power and immigrated to the United States in October 1948.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Star shaped silver colored medal medal surrounded by a wreath. In the front center is an embossed image of man holding rifle. There is embossed text to the left, "CS/PARTYZAN."
Subjects
- Slovakia--History--Uprising, 1944--Personal narratives, Slovak.
- World War, 1939-1945--Underground movements--Slovakia--Bratislava--Biography.
- Guerillas--Czechoslovakia--Biography.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Czechoslovakia--Personal narratives.
- Jews--Persecution--Czechoslovakia--Biography.
- Jewish soldiers--Czechoslovakia--Biography.
Genre
- Object
- Military Insignia