Herbert K. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Herbert K., who was born in Peiskretscham, Germany in 1926. He discusses his prewar childhood; beatings and ostracism by classmates; damage to his family's business on Kristallnacht; their unsuccessful emigration attempt from Hamburg aboard the luxury liner St. Louis; the return to France, where he was separated from his parents; and life in a children's home in Montmorency, outside Paris. He relates his move to unoccupied France and employment in a bakery; internment in a camp in Creuse by French militia; and his escape and subsequent illegal life with false papers. Mr. K. describes Spanish and Swiss refusals of his attempts at entry into these countries; his life near Lyon pretending to be a Catholic farmer; the wartime deaths of most of his immediate family; and his postwar reunion with his brother in Paris. Other postwar experiences discussed include his work for a Jewish organization in a French children's home, through which he met Elie Wiesel; emigration to the United States; and his life thereafter.
Extent and Medium
2 videocassettes (3/4" u-matic)
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
- K., Herbert, -- 1926-
Corporate Bodies
- St. Louis (Ship)
Subjects
- Video tapes.
- Holocaust survivors.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- Men.
- Crystal Night, 1938.
- False papers.
- Hiding.
- Aid by non-Jews.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Kristallnacht, 1938.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Jews -- Rescue.
- Jews -- Migrations.
Places
- Peiskretscham (Germany)
- Paris (France)
- Creuse (France)
- Montmorency (France)
- Gleiwitz (Germany)
- Germany.
- Gliwice (Poland)
- Pyskowice (Poland)
Genre
- Oral histories. -- ftamc