Olmer, Chaim (Oral history)

Polish Jewish civilian in Sosnowiec, Upper Silesia, Poland, 1927-1939; in hiding in Sosnowiec area, 1939-1942; inmate of Plaszow, Skarzysko and Buchenwald camps, 1942-1944; forced labouerer in armaments factory at Schlieben, Germany, 1944-1945; inmate of Theresienstadt camp, 4/1945-5/1945

REEL 1 Recollections of life in Sosnowiec, Poland during 1930s: family; antisemtism; expulsion of Polish Jews from Germany, 1938; relations between Catholic and Jewish people; education; emigration of Jews from Poland; role of Jewish organisation. Recollections of German invasion, 9/1939: anticipating invasion; reaction of Jewish population to invasion; preparations to leave Sosnowiec. Recollections of period living with family in countryside during German occupation, 1939-1942: family that was shot by Germans. REEL 2 Continues: reasons for moving to countryside; accommodation; work duties; orthodox Jews in town; behaviour of German soldiers; selling bread to German troops bound for eastern front; increase in anti Jewish legislation; working in brick factory. REEL 3 Continues: working in German barracks. Recollections of rounding up of Jews for deportation, 9/1942: fate of sisters; shooting of Jews by Germans; collaboration of local Poles with Germans; camping in field; separation of men women and children; journey by cattle truck. Recollections of period at Plaszow camp 9/1942-summer 1943: arrival; first impressions of camp; work building railway line; establishment of workshops, factories in camp; daily routine. REEL 4 Continues: accommodation; sanitation; escape of father and brother; escaping from Plaszow; recapture and return to Plaszow; typhus epidemic; medical facilities; leaving Plaszow, summer 1943. Aspects of brief period at Jerrozolimka and meeting up with brother. REEL 5 Recollections of period of internment at Skarzysko ammunition factory, summer 1943-summer 1944: accommodation; physical condition of inmates; work duties; length of working day; lice; lack of food and weight loss; evacuation of camp. REEL 6 Recollections of period of internment at Buchenwald, Germany for two weeks, 7/1944: journey to camp; procedure on arrival; food rations; accommodation in tents; description of main camp; leaving Buchenwald. Recollections of period working at Schlieben ammunition factory, Germany, late 7/1944-4/1945: description of camp; food rations; work duties; destruction of camp by explosion, autumn 1944; attitude towards Latvian guards. REEL 7 Continues: rebuilding camp; resuming ammunitions work; service for Yom Kippur organised by Orthodox Jews; witnessing Allied bombing; evacuation of camp. Recollections of period of internment at Theresienstadt concentration camp, 4-5/1945: description of camp; number of inmates; illness; liberation of camp. Recollections of period in hospital, 5/1945. REEL 8 Various aspects of period in Prague: decision to go with 'The Boys' group of teenagers to Britain; journey to Britain. Recollections of period at Windermere refugee camp, Autumn 1945: arrival in Carlisle on VJ day; personal appearance; psychological impact of experience; social life; reaction to food supplies; attitude of camp staff; searching for family. Recollections of period in Glasgow, Scotland: letter from sister; successful education; entering Dental school. Reflections on Holocaust experience: nightmares; attitude towards German people; reaction to working as dentist with army in Germany. REEL 9 Continues: no desire to return to Poland; question of whether German civilians knew about atrocities.