description
Object description
German Jewish civilian in Breslau and Berlin, Germany, 3/1933-9/1942; inmate in Breslau Prison, Germany, 10/1942-12/1943; inmate in Auschwitz II-Birkenau Concentration Camp, Poland, 12/1943-10/1944 and Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp, Germany, 10-1944-4/1945
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Breslau, Germany, 1925-1933: family; secular nature of family life. Recollections of period as civilian in Breslau and Berlin, Germany, 3/1933-9/1942: effects of Nazi takeover 3/1933 including restrictions against Jews; moving to Berlin to study cello; Kristallnacht in Berlin, 9/11/1938-10/11/1938; problems faced by her family attempting to emigrate; reaction to outbreak of Second World War, 3/9/1939; failure of family to emigrate to Italy; impact of war; work in toilet paper factory; living conditions; deportation of parents, 1942; forging papers for French forced laboures in Breslau.
REEL 2 Continues: attempt to escape to France on forged papers and arrest at Breslau Station, 9/1942; reasons for helping French forced labourers. Aspects of imprisonment in Breslau Prison, Germany, 10/1942-12/1943: attempt at suicide after arrest; interrogation by Gestapo; transfer to Ministry of Justice custody, 10/1942; conduct of Special Court (Sondergericht) trial, 5/6/1943; short imprisonment and return to Gestapo custody. Aspects of period as inmate in Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, Poland, 12/1943-10/1944: processing on arrival; recruitment to womens' camp orchestra.
REEL 3 Continues: role of orchestra; organisation of orchestra. Recollections of period as inmate in Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp, Germany, 10/1944-4/1945: removal to camp, 10/1944; comparison between Auschwitz II-Birkenau and Bergen Belsen Concentration Camps; disorganisation of camp; remaining with friends from disbanded womens' orchestra; liberation of camp, 4/1945; behaviour of Hungarian guards; her recuperation after liberation and work as interpreter; reaction of British troops to liberating camp. Aspects of period as inmate in Auschwitz II-Birkenau Concentration Camp, Poland, 12/1943-10/1944: privileges for womens' orchestra members.
REEL 4 Continues: conditions for women's orchestra; description of 'Canada' warehouse where inmate's belongings were kept; reasons why Germans used music in camp.
