Copy of an eyewitness report by Hedwig Forester of his arrest by the Nazis in Brussels, May 1940, transportation in cattle wagons, and arrival in Gurs concentration camp, France, 2 weeks later.
Gurs concentration camp: Eyewitness report
Archive Collection
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- ReferenceGB 1556 WL 1313
- Dates of Creation20th century
- Name of Creator
- Language of MaterialGerman
- Physical Description1 file
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Gurs was a major internment camp in France, near Oloron-Sainte-Marie, 80 kilometers from the Spanish border. Established in 1939 to absorb Republican refugees from Spain, Gurs later served as a concentration camp for Jews from France and refugees from other countries. While under the administration of Vichy France (1940-1942) most non-Jewish prisoners were released and approximately 2000 Jews were permitted to emigrate. In 1941 Gurs held some 15,000 prisoners. The camp was controlled by the Germans from 1942 to 1944, during which time several thousand inmates were deported to extermination camps in Poland. An unknown number succeeded in escaping and reaching Spain or hiding in Southern France. Gurs was liberated in the summer of 1944.
Arrangement
N/A
Access Information
Open
Acquisition Information
M. Schneider
Other Finding Aids
Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements
Pages missing
Archivist's Note
Entry compiled by Howard Falksohn.
Conditions Governing Use
Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.