Krebs, Hans Adolf (Oral history)

German Jewish civilian biochemist in Germany, 1925-1933 and University of Cambridge, GB, 1933-1939; worked as biochemist in GB, 9/1939-5/1945

REEL 1 Background in Germany, 1900-1926: family; influence of father's medical career; call-up for military service, 9/1918; attitude to value of military service; memories of revolutionary events in Germany, 11/1918; studying medicine at Universities of Göttingen and Freiburg; effects of high inflation on daily life, 1921-1923; medical practice at University of Berlin, 1925. Aspects of period as biochemist in Berlin and Freiburg, Germany, 1926-1933: story of being offered position in Professor Otto Warburg's laboratory in Berlin, 1926; description of research apprenticeship system. REEL 2 Continues: nature of work at Professor Otto Warburg's laboratory in Berlin; status of biochemistry; problem of obtaining employment due to anti-Semitism; gaining financial support for research through a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation; description of first major success in field of research, 1932; reaction to political changes in Freiburg, 1931-1933; effect of Adolf Hitler coming to power on work in hospital; removal from post in Freiburg, 4/1933; opinion of Adolf Hitler; attitude to those responsible for his dismissal; opinion of philosopher Martin Heidegger; receiving invitation from Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins in Cambridge, GB, 1933; offer of financial support from Rockefeller Foundation; leaving Germany and taking medical equipment to GB, 1933. REEL 3 Continues: Recollections of period as biochemist in GB, 1933-1939: appointment to School of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 1933; prior recollection of impressions during first visit to of GB, 1928; reason for choosing to accept offer from University of Cambridge in preference to United States of America or Switzerland; attitude to status of employment at University of Cambridge; comparison of daily life in Cambridge and Germany; attitude of local population; contact with refugee organisations; story of refugees refusing offer to live in house of J B S Haldane; collection for fund for Rudolf Lemberg; opinion of Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins and importance of period at University of Cambridge; marriage and children; determination to improve ability in English language; story of article on research work being turned down by journal 'Nature' and later award of Nobel Prize for same work; attitude towards Adolf Hitler and Nazi regime in Germany; opinion of British and French governments' response to Nazi Germany. REEL 4 Continues: attending Zurich International Physiological Congress, 1938; attitude of German delegates to refugees; story of Professor Otto Warburg being prevented from attending Zurich International Physiological Congress by Nazis; naturalisation, 1939. Recollections of period as biochemist in GB, 9/1939-5/1945: reaction to outbreak of Second World War, 3/9/1939; opinion of British Government's policy on internment and role in campaigns to release internees; description of work on medical research into nutrition; attitude to use of conscientious objectors in experiments in vitamin deficiency; role of Medical Research Council; story of family's experiences in Germany during Second World War; post-war resumption of scientific contacts with Germany. REEL 5 Continues: Aspects of post-war period as biochemist in GB: story of French delegation's objection to inclusion of German scientists at first International Congress of Biochemistry in Cambridge, GB, 8/1949; description of first post-war visit to Germany and hometown of Hildesheim; relations with non-Jewish colleagues who remained in Germany during Second World War; opinion of modern German youth's understanding of Nazi period; opinion of British Government's response to refugee crisis, 1933-1939; story of presenting cheque of £90,000 for 'Thank You Britain Fund'; contributors to fund; opinion of contribution of refugee scientists to British science and academic life; attitude to use of term 'refugee' and pride in German heritage; reflections on current status of refugees and comparison with 1930s.