Jacob H. Holocaust testimony (HVT-1078) interviewed by Raphael Rozner and Shlomit Mahler

Videotape testimony of Jacob H., who was born in Kraków, Poland in approximately 1929, the youngest of three brothers. He recalls German invasion; anti-Jewish restrictions; moving to Czyżyny because his father thought it would be better; studying with a non-Jewish tutor; ghettoization in Kraków a year later; hiding during round-ups; transfer with his family to the camp at the airport, then Płaszów; a public hanging; constant fear; transfer with one brother to Starachowice a month later; caring for his brother when he was hospitalized; slave labor and illness, from which he still bears scars; antagonism between rural and urban prisoners; transfer to the Zigeunerlager (Gypsy Lager) at Auschwitz/Birkenau; a prisoner doctor treating his infection; joining his brother's group during selections; transfer to Charlottengrube; a civilian worker bringing him extra food; assisting his brother during the death march to Mauthausen; his brother's hospitalization (he never saw him again); transfer to Melk in February 1945; a death march in April to Gunskirchen; liberation by United States troops days later; aid from the Red Cross; hospitalization; traveling with the Jewish Brigade to Tarvisio; living in Bologna, Modena, then Selvino with a Zionist group, a healing experience during which he began to feel human again; and deciding to emigrate to Israel. Mr. H discusses continuing pain when recalling the separation from his brother (none of his family survived); support from friends in the camps; and reluctance to share his experiences after the war.