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ÚSTÍ NAD LABEM, Jews in Ústí nad Labem
  Contents: Instead of an introductionThe Holocaust What was it like to live through those times? Transportations from Ústí nad Labem Ústí Jews, who did not survive the transportation Ústí Jews, who were released Conclusion Our group decided that it would attempt to look back on the past in connection with the "Youth and Physical Education in the Czech Republic" project, which was initiated by the Ministry of Education. The "Disappeared Neighbours" project, as it is called, takes a brief look back at one of the most tragic periods in human history which, at the same time, is seen by the youth of today as one of the most absurd and perverted times imaginable. We were confident that this project would help us find the answers to our questions. As a matter of fact the opposite happened. The more we understood, the more questions we had. We are coming round to the opinion that the most important question (i.e. How is it possible?) will remain unanswered. Nevertheless, we will continue to ask. Students from the eighth and ninth grades of the Grammar School and Grammar Art School at 19 Husova Street in Ústí nad Labem. Even today, more than fifty years after the end of World War II, we are frequently faced with the term "holocaust" in the media as well as in books, textbooks, and other places. I believe that the older generation, who lived through the Second World War, know exactly what the word "holocaust" means. I hope that even adults who were born after the War have an understanding of the Holocaust and are aware the suffering it caused. Therefore, is it actually necessary to discuss, write about, or even mention the matter in another form? Personally, I'm inclined to believe that this is absolutely essential. A large percentage of the younger generation have either never encountered this concept or have no idea as to how they should react. Furthermore, I am convinced that the overthrow of fascist Germany did not succeed in destroying the forces of fascism. Even today, there are a number of neo-fascist organisations, resistance groups and factions throughout the world such as the global skinhead movement. The partisans of these organisations are the young generation who not only have no idea about what the Holocaust entails, but who are also involved with certain beliefs which question its very existence. How is it possible that these youths can be capable of accepting such an opinion? Are these young people aware that the Holocaust signifies the forceful oppression of certain races of people which ultimately leads to their gradual annihilation? Are they aware that this terrible thought alone gave rise to a fascist Germany led by Adolf Hitler? Are they aware that the fascists intended to completely exterminate the Jewish and Gypsy races? Are they aware that the Holocaust during the Second World War resulted in the brutal death of millions of innocent people? Are they aware of the barbarous manner in which the fascists treated these people? I would like to believe that these young people, who endorse such neo-fascist views, are not even remotely aware of these circumstances and have no real understanding of fascist "philosophy"; that their actions are therefore based on ignorance and that they have allowed themselves be manipulated. I believe that these people are not capable of appreciating the fact that one cannot be held responsible for where, to whom and of which colour they are born, and that not only people, but also all living things have the right to live their lives as they see fit. I am convinced that if these people were capable of realising the true nature of these circumstances, they would not be so sympathetic towards fascist beliefs. I am extremely glad that democratic parties govern the leading nations of the world and that, together with the UN, they ensure that the situation which existed in Germany before and during the Second World War, and which gave rise to the fascist movement led by Hitler, cannot happen again. This view is borne out by the recent wave of resistance which was unleashed by world organisations in connection with the participation of Jörg Haider's party in the Austrian government, as well various sanctions and the resulting isolation of Austria. Veronika Kolompárová, age 15 What was it like to live through those times? In this chapter, we would like to present the memories of people whose lives were changed by the war and the holocaust. We were given the opportunity to personally speak with Mrs. Viera Siladiova (ing.), who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp. We corresponded with Mrs. Rachel Isserow (who was forced to leave Ústí nad Labem with her entire family) over the Internet. We were also able to study the authentic diary entries of the great-grandfather of one of our fellow students and to view the records of the memories of the great-grandmothers of two others. These memories have not been recorded in books and that is why they are so valuable to us. The memories of Mrs.Viera Siladiova
Upon their arrival, the prisoners were categorised; healthy individuals to the left and the elderly and the sick were placed on the right. The people placed on the right were destined for the gas chamber. The majority of Mrs. Viera's family were placed on the right-hand side of the queue... She had told a group of Polish prisoners that her mother was her sister. This lie effectively saved her mother's life. What then? Their heads were shaved, clothes were handed out, and they were, assigned to shed B3. This was a terrible place. There was no running water or sewerage facilities. The women had to lie on the ground without any blankets. Bathing took place once every two weeks in the "spas". They were never sure what was going to happen next: Were they really on their way to the "spa"? Viera had been told of the gas chambers by a Polish officer. The prisoners endured not only physical, but also psychological anguish. There were daily roll-calls; endless headcounts and line-ups in sets of five. They had to endure degradingly barbaric battles over drinking water. They were forced to kneel and hold stones above their heads and given salted foods to make them thirsty. It was an attempt to dehumanise them. They were regularly beaten. Frequently, vicious dogs were set on women which caused serious injuries. Was it possible to survive under these conditions? Viera witnessed cases of women taking their own lives by leaping at electrified wires. One of the most terrible events that occurred was the extermination of an entire gypsy shed. Viera heard people crying along with screams and pleas for help... In these desperate conditions, Viera caught scarlet fever which resulted in arthritis. Because of the companionship and solidarity of the others, she was able to conceal her sickness and live. Viera's mother survived with the help of sympathetic Serbian partisans. Both Viera and her mother were transported from Auschwitz to another concentration camp in Ravensbrück where they spent six weeks. This camp contained Czech women from Lidice. The prisoners in this camp were marked and differentiated by certain coloured triangles. The triangles of political prisoners were red, the triangles of religious prisoners were purple and Jews' triangles were yellow with the word "Jude" marked across them… It was here that Viera found a new companion - the Czech woman Božena Nìmcová. The third and final camp, which both Viera and her mother had to endure, was Buchenwald. Here, they worked in a factory, making cables day and night in 12-hour shifts. The only free day permitted was Sunday. The accommodation conditions, as well as the diet, were better than the previous camps. In April 1945, the evacuation of the camp began (the march of death). The prisoners were forced to walk 30 km a day. Throughout the journey they had hardly any food (sugar and bread). They were inadequately clothed and regularly beaten during these walks (Mrs. Viera still bears the scars of these beatings to this day). A few kilometres before reaching the town of Cheb, Viera and her mother were helped by a group of Frenchmen. After hiding in hay, they concealed themselves in a forest for eight days at the end of which Viera was able to taste freedom. The war had ended. The return home: Both Viera and her mother survived. Her father was shot on the 6th of October 1944. After the War, Mrs. Viera Siladiova studied at the chemical-engineering university in Prague, and graduated with the academic title of "Ing." (M.Sc.). She moved to Ústí nad Labem in 1950. Alena Bìlecká, age 15 Great-grandfather's diary
When my great-grandfather was writing his diary he did not anticipate that anybody would be reading it. For example, one of the entries contains the following remark bearing a touch of irony : ".....to provide an account, we are living in an age where it is dangerous to light a candle on the staircase. The night is gloomy and dark on the streets and in large towns. Windows in which light can be seen are reported and the residents are fined. All this is done in order to stave off enemy planes that are intent on finding us in the protectorate. To this day, we have not caught a glimpse of any planes since the beginning of the war." Further on, he writes of David's star, which he was forced to wear on his left breast. He frequently mentions family members, who were transported. He mentions that his uncle Karel is in Buchenwald - Weimar, that his uncle Hugo was moved from Terezin to Riga (Transport No. H 375). His grandmother (Cl 506), his aunt Emma (AAv 140) and uncle Emil were all sent away on the Kolín transport (Aac 583). All were faced with a journey into the unknown. Because my great-grandfather was married to a German woman, he was one of the last to be transported and he returned alive. His only relatives, the Kabelacovi family emigrated to France. Zuzana Benešová, age 14 While visiting the Terezin archives of the ghetto, our group, among other things, focused on ascertaining the fate of the Zuzana relatives. Here are the results: - Uncle Hugo Lederer, H 375, *22.6. 1906, 9.1. 1942 later transported to Riga (1000 prisoners were transported/105 had survived). Did not survive - Uncle Emil Filip, Aac 583, *27.4. 1874, 22.10.1942 later transported to Treblinka (2018 prisoners were transported /none survived). Did not survive. - Aunt Emilie Rixova, Aav 140, *14.12. 1886. Survived in Terezin - Grandmother Ida Ledererova, Cl 506, *26.4. 1872, 15.12. 1943 later transported to Auschwitz (2504 prisoners were transported / 279 survived). Did not survive. Records of the transportation on which his grandmother, aunt and uncle Emil Filip were sent: - Transport Aav: Departed from Prague, 30.7.1942. Destination: Terezin. 1000 prisoners were transported. Of these, 33 survived in Terezin and 39 elsewhere. - Transport Aac: Departed from Kolin, 9.6. 1942. Destination: Terezin. 724 prisoners were transported. Of these 18 survived in Terezin and 13 elsewhere - Transport Cl: Departed from Mlada Boleslav, 13.1. 1943. Destination: Terezin. 550 prisoners were transported. Of these 24 survived in Terezin and 4 elsewhere. Memories of Mrs. Rachel Isserow We were able to contact Mrs. Rachel thanks to Dr. Kaiser, the archivist in the Ústí archives. Mrs. Rachel, who left Ústí in 1938 and started a new life in Israel after spending some time in America, sent us a number of letters, which provided us with some new information on Ústí's Jewish community prior to World War II. We are including our correspondence. Memories of Mrs. Marie Farkašova
Her eyes full of tears, my grandmother explained how, on that day, the journey to their death should have begun. She was supposed to have been transferred to Komarno(at that time, part of Hungary) and from there she was to have been transferred to a concentration camp. During the prearranged transfer, she was aided by a massive slice of luck. A self-possessed woman on the same trip, who had several children, took my grandmother as one of her own. This saved her life and my grandmother was released. To this day, my grandmother is convinced that it was on account of this woman's humanity that she survived. My grandmother's mother managed to evade transport, but her stepfather Alois Budaj survived both Auschwitz and Buchenwald. However, he returned from the camps as a physical and psychological wreck. My grandmother told me stories of how badly people were treated in these camps. Her stepfather passed away after a few years. His first wife, Ilona Budajova, was also transported to a concentration camp. She never returned. She was burned alive in a furnace. Some of my grandmother's friends and acquaintances were also in the concentration camp: František Horvath (1912), Josef Polak (1913), Alexandr Hudi (1910). All of these men returned safely. However, they were tragically marked by their ordeal and did not live much longer than four years after their release. The only one of my grandmother's friends who has survived to this day is Alois Krok (1926), although he suffered tuberculosis in the camp. Even now, he is still psychologically damaged as a result of his experiences. He currently resides in the Slovak Republic. Veronika Kolompárová, age 15 Grandmother's memories My maternal grandmother has told me tales of our relative Maxmiliana Kratochvílová, who was the aunt of my grandmother's father. Maxmiliana was born in 1878 and started work when she was still a young girl. She worked in Teplice - Šanov for a Jewish businessman named Dub. At first, she was employed in his residence. Later, because she was capable and competent, she was accepted by his family into the shop and allowed to study at a business school. Maxmiliana was very reliable worker for the Dub family. She even married the family's blind son, who unfortunately passed away at the beginning of the Second World War. The businessman Dub had another daughter Henrieta, who married a Jewish lawyer called Dr. Stein. Henrieta and her husband fled to Britain at the beginning of the war, where they remained. Following her husband's death, aunt Maxmiliana moved to a villa in the Prague - Støešovice region. Even though her husband was of Jewish descent, she did not convert to Judaism and remained as a Catholic. Perhaps this is why she had no problems with the Nazis. During the War, she did not receive food coupons and luckily was provided with food by my grandmother's family. After the war, Maxmiliana was able to travel to Great Britain where she met with her daughter. Unfortunately, she passed away in Prague at the age of 70. Her daughter stopped all contact with her Czech relatives and as a result we know nothing of her fate. Miroslava Špetlíková, age 15 Transportations from Ústí nad Labem We gathered information concerning transportations from Ústí nad Labem from literature and sources which were provided by the archive of the ghetto in Terezin. The following material was uncovered: -Wlaschek M.Rudolf:"Juden in Böhmen", München
1996, kapitola 9, str. 165-194 In the second half of the 1930s, 1250 people were registered as belonging to the Jewish religion throughout the entire Ústí region. From 1936 onwards, racial intolerance began to manifest itself in this region. During this period, rich Jewish families began to leave the town (including the Petsch and the Weinmann families). Throughout the town, anti-Jewish disturbances were common (damage to the synagogue, the smashing of Jewish shop windows). Towards the end of 1941, 15 - 20 Jewish athletes were led away from the town. The Nazis said that they had been assigned to hard labour in the Reich. The Ústí Jews were filed in the register of the town's population and their files were indicated with the letter "J" and two red marks, as well as marks indicating mixed race. Only a few files were indicated with a note dated 1942. These people were moved to an unknown location. Only the file of Karel Lowy is marked with a note concerning his transportation to Poland. The Czech and Moravian regions consisted of approx. 30,000 Jewish citizens prior to the "Munich dictatorship". After the German annexation of the region and the formation of the "Sudeten administration", the Jewish population in this area was reduced to approx. one tenth of its former size. (1939/2373 people). Transportations to Terezin from the Sudeten region took place in Ústí nad Labem, Karlovy Vary and Opava from the 13.11. 1942 to 7.3. 1945. Out of the entire Norimberg law population of 2373 in this period, a total of 612 men, women and children were transported. Only 247 people survived. The Jewish population of Ústí were placed in a detention camp on an estate in the Krásný Les region of the Krušné hory mountains and were later transported to Terezin. Twelve transport groups departed from Ústí. These included Jews who were deported from the entire region. The Ústí Jews left in transport groups XIX/5,6 and 8. We are including an overview of the Ústí transportation process. We managed to gather the names of the Jewish citizens of our town from materials belonging to Yad Vashem, who were transported further East from Terezin. We have also listed the names of those, who survived. 1. Ústí Jews, who did not survive the transportation: a)Transport XIX/5,11.6.1943 b)Transport XIX/6, 10.1.1944 2. Ústí Jews, who were released: a) Transport XIX/6, 10.1.1944 b) Transport XIX/8, 6.2.1945 After the War, only three families returned to Ústí from exile and the camps . Leo Pick from Tel Aviv attempted to register the population of the pre-War Ústí region after the War. He discovered that our region consists of 20 Jews. In Britain and Western Europe, there are about 35. Israel has around 80 and in Canada and the USA there are 35. South America had 20 and Australia 5. Teamwork of students of 8th and 9th grades We have not yet explained why we felt compelled to initiate the "Disappeared Neighbours" project. Each one of us was fully dedicated to the project and we were all motivated by sheer curiosity; not only with regard to the history of our town but also because we wished to learn something about the lifestyle of our fellow citizens in the time of the protectorate. At the same time, we believe that it is absolutely essential that both our generation and those of the future are made aware of the lengths to which a person can be driven by fanaticism and hatred towards his fellow men, and the cruelty that man is capable of inflicting upon another human being. Students from the eight and ninth grades |
Mrs.
Viera was born in 1922 in Southern Slovakia to a Jewish surgeon. In
view of the fact that she came from a Jewish background, she was affected
by the Norimberg race laws during the Second World War. Nineteen-forty-four
was a fateful year for both her and her family. Her father, along with
hundreds of other surgeons, was arrested. Viera and her mother spent
a week in a ghetto and were transported to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration
camp in Poland. The journey to this death camp occurred under extreme
conditions on an overcrowded train, which had dozens of people crammed
into one carriage. Neither Viera, her mother, nor their fellow travellers
had any idea of what was awaiting them in Auschwitz. 
The
enclosed writings, are the diary entries of my great-grandfather. He
frequently refers to his young daughter Hanièka (the daughter
of my paternal grandmother). The diary entries include a snippet on
what kind of limitations the Jews were faced with in the protectorate
and show which members of the family as well as their friends were to
be transported. For example, one entry reveals how Jews were not permitted
to bathe in public swimming pools, to drink coffee in cafes, to visit
cinemas or eat out in restaurants. They were not allowed to participate
in organisations and had to be indoors by 8:00 p.m.
My
grandmother Marie Farkašova (born on the 22.9.1931 in Košice)
was badly affected by the War and the Norimberg race laws. She is of
gypsy descent. In 1943, she was forcibly moved to the premises of the
Košice brewery along with a large number of other gypsies and Jews.
Before being transferred, her family was attacked in the evening hours.
My grandmother was wearing nothing but a nightgown when she was transferred
to the brewery. She pleaded for permission to clothe herself more adequately
because she was cold, but one of the Nazis verbally and physically abused
her.