Interview with Albin Ossowski

Polish civilian in Starogard Gdanski, Poland, 1939-1941; member of Home Army (Armia Krajowa) in Warsaw, Poland, 1941-1943; inmate in Auschwitz II-Birkenau Concentration Camp, Poland and Buchenwald Concentration Camp, Germany, 8/1943-4/1945

REEL 1 Aspects of period as civilian in Starogard Gdanski, Poland, 1939-1941: character of town; German forces taking of hostages on arrival in town, 1939; arrest of brother Edmund Ossowski and reaction to his death in Stuttof Concentration Camp, 1940; reaction to treatment of Jews by Poles; relations with German speaking civilians prior to 1939; how Polish language was forbidden; escaping call-up to German Army. Recollections of period as member of Home Army (Armia Krajowa) in Warsaw, Poland, 1941-1943: obtaining false identity; description of Warsaw Ghetto; help given to Jewish civilians by Poles outside the Warsaw Ghetto; methods used by Polish Resistance on those who denounced Jews; aiding Jewish fighters after liquidation of Warsaw Ghetto, 4/1943; arrest and imprisonment in Pawiak Prison for planning assassination of Lolek Skosowski. Recollections of period as inmate in Auschwitz II-Birkenau Concentration Camp, Poland, 8/1943-8/1944: journey to camp; initial impressions of camp; story illustrating illogical nature of camp. REEL 2 Continues: advice received from prisoner during quarantine period; move to main camp; accommodation in barracks; relations between inmates; question of stealing; conditions; contact with Jews who worked for Sonderkommando in crematorium; assignment to duties in hospital; liquidation of Gypsy Camp; attitude of Jewish inmates towards fate; witnessing selection of Jewish inmates for gas chambers; question of survival in camp. REEL 3 Continues: importance of personal morale. Aspects of period as inmate in Buchenwald Concentration Camp, Germany, 8/1944-4/1945: conditions; work duties; question of inmate escapes; march away from camp; prior recollection Dr Josef Mengele's visit to camp hospital in Auschwitz II-Birkenau Concentration Camp; revenge against guards on liberation; arrival of United States Army troops; attitude towards liberation. Reflections on Holocaust experience: impact of experience on personality; importance of remembering the Holocaust; Dr Josef Mengele's visit to camp hospital in Auschwitz II-Birkenau.