Jacob Gutman

A Survivor's Memoir

published by the
Concordia University Chair in Canadian Jewish Studies

Copyright � Jacob Gutman, 1999

Key Words

Radom (city in Poland), Bund (Jewish Socialist movement), Kolejowa 18 (supply depot for SS and Gestapo), Hashomer Hatzair (Zionist youth movement), Treblinka, Szkolna, Blizyn, Auschwitz (concentration camps in Poland), Vahingen, Hessenthal, Dachau, Bergen-Belsen (concentration camps in Germany), Armja Krajowa (Polish underground), Feldafing (former Hitler youth camp in Bavaria), Montreal, Canada, witness at trial of Nazi officer in Hamburg, Germany in 1972, Steinberg’s employee, Parkinson’s Disease. 

Abstract

Author born in Radom Poland in October 1922. Family consisted of four children: a daughter and three sons. Describes his elementary education and the living conditions of a poor family. Apprenticed as a cabinet maker. Father, who had been an active member of the Bund, dies in 1939. Within eight days of the German invasion of Poland, Radom is occupied and anti-Jewish decrees are issued. As a carpenter, he is placed in a labour group in Kolejowa 18, a branch of Szkolna concentration camp. He manages to get both his brothers into the labour brigade and they remain together during the duration of the war. Describes the organization of the ghetto in Radom and the living conditions of the inmates. Was member of a social group –others were members of Hashomer Hatzair youth movement, but he does not join. The liquidation of the ghetto and the onset of deportations begin and his mother, sister and her child are sent to Treblinka. Records incidents of relationships with guards and officers of his camp. Describes the escape of six inmates, and of a single survivor who actually returned tot he camp and related how the escapees reached the forest where they met members of the Polish underground who opened fire on them when they learned they were Jewish, killing the other five. With the approach of the Red Army the camp is evacuated and prisoners marched to the city of Tomaszow. Confront horrifying conditions and are relieved when transported to Auschwitz. Labour brigade sent on to Vahingen, near Stuttgart. Moved to Hessenthal where they work at construction in a military airport. Describes forced march to Dachau. After a short time, transported to Munich area and travel south. Liberated by a black platoon of the American Army. Describes response to liberation. Travels to Bergen-Belsen in search of his girlfriend, finds her and relates her experiences. They marry and leave for Canada in 1948. Notes the social and economic situation of newcomers to Montreal. Finds employment in Steinberg’s grocery chain. As a witness, he attends trial of Nazi officer in Hamburg. Gives history of employment at Steinberg’s. Describes onset of Parkinson’s Disease and the measures taken to offset its effects. In epilogue, he summarizes his inner resistance to the brutality he experienced and how he consciously struggled to preserve his integrity as a human being.