Singer, Ervin (Oral history)

Czechoslovakian Jewish civilian in Prague, Czechoslovakia, 1939-1941; inmate in Lodz Ghetto, 1941-1944; inmate of Auschwitz camp, 1944-1945; liberated by Russians in Blechhammer camp, 1/1945; civilian in Czechoslovakia, 1948-1968; emigrated to GB, 1968

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Moravia, Czechoslovakia, 1922-1939: family circumstances and origins; languages spoken; father's military service in Austrian Army, 1914-1918; relations between different national groups; move to Prague area; father's journalist career; education; employment as apprentice; memories of Munich Crisis, 1938. Recollections of German occupation of Czechoslovakia, 1939-1941: reaction to arrival of German troops 3/1939; father's failed attempts to get children out of country; German restrictions against Jews in industry; family's financial situation; reaction to employment in electrical work at Gestapo headquarters, late 1939-early 1940; reaction to outbreak of war, 9/1939. REEL 2 Continues: growing restrictions of Jewish community; initial Jewish transports from Prague; reasons for transportation from Prague to Lodz Ghetto, 10/1941. Recollections of period as inmate in Lodz Ghetto, 1941-1944: character of train journey; nature of ghetto; overcrowded accommodation; father's role in archiving history of ghetto; hunger and suicides amongst Czech Jews; work as electrician; transports and administration; lack of organised resistance in ghetto; liquidation of ghetto, 1944. Recollections of period as inmate in Auschwitz, 1944-1945: conditions on train journey to camp. REEL 3 Continues: initial sight of camp; reception and selection; sight of shaven women including relatives; search process and showering; accommodation; selection to sub camp; attempts of Czech inmates to keep alive spirit; accommodation in camp; mining work; attitude of Polish miners; working rations in mines; coping with work regime; joining group who entertained SS; effect of leg injury; bombing of camp, 1/1945. Recollections of march from Auschwitz to Blechhammer, 1/1945: preparations made for march. REEL 4 Continues: conditions during march; shooting of stragglers; sight of aerial fighting; conditions on arrival at Blechhammer; liberation by Russian Army. Aspects of period as working for Russians at in Blechhammer, 1/1945-5/1945: obtaining food; work dismantling factory; hearing of end of Second World War; return to Prague. Aspects of return to Prague, 1945: waiting for return of relatives; fate of father. Aspects of period as inmate in Lodz Ghetto and Auschwitz, 1940-1945: hearing news of progress of war; repairing radio set in ghetto. Recollections of period as civilian in Communist Czechoslovakia, 1948-1968: operating sound equipment for democratic party, 1948; memories of Communist take-over, 1948; fear of children reporting parents views; work in research institute. REEL 5 Continues: political supervision during visit to Brussels, 1950s; question of attempting to remain political neutral; effect of uprising in Hungary, 1956; reaction arrival of Russian forces in Czechoslovakia, 1968; use of visa to cross between Czechoslovakia and Germany; motives for leaving Czechoslovakia, 1968; expectations of life in west and reception in GB, 1968.