John P. Holocaust testimony

Videotape testimony of John P., who was born in Vienna, Austria in 1904. Mr. P. describes the atmosphere and political conditions in Vienna; prewar antisemitism; his family's desire to assimilate; his marriage in 1933; early observations of changing conditions; watching a boycott against Jews from a rooftop in 1938; his mother's refusal to leave because she was the widow of a World War I veteran, was married to another at that time, and was reluctant to leave her art collection; and his escape with his wife to Paris. He relates their incarceration in a French jail for one month; release and then his incarceration in a French internment camp for seven months; his wife's successful efforts to obtain a visa for the United States; their arrival in New York; and the aid given to them by United HIAS Service which he credits with saving many lives. He discusses his regrets that he was not more forceful in urging his mother to leave.

1 videocassette (3/4" u-matic)