Description
Object description
German Jewish civilian in Berlin, Germany, 1922-1936; emigrated to GB, 4/1936; interned in Huyton camp, Liverpool, 1940; served with RAF in GB and France, 1943-1946
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in Berlin, Germany, 1922-1936: description of family background and childhood in prosperous Jewish family; father's career as banker; started piano lessons age five; musical and cultural activities; attitude of parents to Jewish religious observance and identity as Germans; social life with Jews and non-Jews; attitude to rise of Hitler and awareness of anti-Semitism; reason for father planning to emigrate, c.1929; effect of Nazi policies on daily life; location of home in Berlin; story of seeing Hitler on several occasions; story of being prevented from giving Nazi salute in school and subsequent victimisation by other pupils; description of anti-Jewish laws in areas of sport and cultural activities; reaction to witnessing attacks on Jews and Jewish shops; description of street fights between Nazis and Communists; ability to speak English; story of emigration to GB and reason for family members travelling separately, 4/1936. Aspects of period in GB, 4/1936-1943: story of parents returning to Berlin to settle affairs; lived in Notting Hill Gate, London; attended boys' boarding house in Sussex; problem of homesickness;
REEL 2 Continues: opinion of education at Frensham Heights School, Farnham; relations with other refugees in school; musical activities; story of parents returning to London and adapting to new lifestyle; attitude to nationality; description of three months internment in Huyton camp, Liverpool, 1940; story of working as statistician with mathematician in camp. Aspects of period as leading aircraftman and NCO with RAF in GB and France, 1943-1946; description of duties as instrument repairer in bombers; attitude to mixing with broader social class of people; story of hiding German identity and using name Michael; reasons for unpopularity and lack of friends at RAF Melksham; posted to Bomber Command at RAF High Wycombe; role assessing bomb damage in German cities from base in Versailles, France, including interrogation of German businessmen; story of being badly injured in car crash on VE Day, 8/May/1945. Aspects of post-war period in GB: comparison of cultural life in Germany and GB; importance of music in life.
REEL 3 Continues: further comments on cultural life in Germany and GB; discussion of work with Arts Council, at London School of Economics, as Director of Central Statistical Office and at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Reflections on contribution of refugees to cultural life in GB.