Paul W. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 2811
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Paul W., a Romani, who was born in Duisberg, Germany in 1930, the oldest of five brothers. He recalls moving to Wuppertal due to anti-Romani laws, posing as non-Romanies; receiving a scholarship to study music at a conservatory; his father's friend, a policeman, warning them of deportations in 1943; the friend deleting their family name from the list; moving to Lorraine; his father's work in a war industry; their discovery; his parents' forced sterilization (his mother was subjected to experimentation and only recovered due to efforts of a French doctor); their friend removing the family's files and finding employment for them as circus musicians; contacts with United States servicemen in Speyer; his father's testimony on behalf of the German policeman who helped them (they remained friends for life); passing an exam in Stuttgart to become a bandleader; and the popularity of his family band. Mr. W. notes his wife lost eleven siblings in concentrations camps; her inability to discuss this subject; his ability to share only the "sweet" parts with others, including their children; and his strong belief in Jesus.

Extent and Medium

2 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

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.