Joseph W. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 1513
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Joseph W., who was born in Kuro?w, Poland in 1924, the oldest of three children. He recounts antisemitic harassment at school; his father's Polish military service; German invasion; briefly fleeing with his mother and siblings; his father's return; forced labor in Janiszo?w; he and his brother escaping a round-up in Kon?skowola (he never saw his mother and sister again); returning home; reunion with his father; hiding by himself on farms and in fields, then in a forest with other Jews, including an aunt; leaving to find food; learning the others had been killed; receiving food from a local woman; taking care of a maternal aunt in hiding; their capture by German soldiers; escaping (his aunt was killed); liberation by Soviet troops in 1944; draft into the Polish division of the Soviet army; battling against the Germans in Praga; transfer to Katowice; learning his father had been killed by the Armia Krajowa; reunion with his brother; deserting; traveling with his brother to ?o?dz?, then illegally to Bratislava, Vienna, Wels, Salzburg, and Badgastein; and emigration to the United States in 1949. Mr. W. discusses several captures and escapes; not trusting anyone, which helped him to survive; and difficulties sharing his experiences with his children.

Extent and Medium

4 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.