European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
-
Experienced massive changes during the war and then after the war as well.
-
I must say that we imagined a different world after WWII. A different world would arise than the one we live in now.
-
But one just has to adjust one’s expectations to what is going on in society.
-
At the time I was very active in Ljubljana and a lot was going on in Ljubljana.
-
The walls were plastered with lists of hostages
-
and practically every day you would be informed of something horrible.
-
It is difficult to say whether one could even feel in the mood to create some great piece of art.
-
Nonetheless, I would, just to remain a painter –
-
usually doing things similar to that in the program at the Zagreb Academy – just enough to stay in condition.
-
It was later, when I joined the partisans that I could finally make use of my painting skills.
-
Romana Verdel (geborene Rotter) wurde 1938 in Remschenig/Remcenik im zweisprachigen Teil von Kärnten/Koroska geboren. Ihre Familie gehört der slowenischen Minderheit an. Zusammen mit ihrer Mutter Anna Rotter und weiteren Verwandten wohnt sie bei Katarina Sluga, ihrer politisch engagierten Tante und Mitgründerin des Antifaschistischen Frauenbundes. Der NS-kritischen Haltung und der politischen Vernetzungstätigkeiten verdächtig, schließen sich einige Familienmitglieder 1943 den slowenischen PartisanInnen an. Der Rest der Familie wird im Oktober 1943 von der Gestapo arretiert und deportiert. Romana bleibt von der Gestapo unentdeckt und wird zusammen mit anderen Kindern von ihrer Tante Amalija versteckt, bis diese sich im Januar ’44 mit den Kindern den PartisanInnen in den Bergen und in Solcava im Logartal anschließt. Im April ’44 kehrt Amalija mit den Kindern nach Kärnten/Koroska zurück, wo Romana auf einem Bauernhof aufgenommen wird und den Krieg überlebt, während 13 ihrer Familienangehörigen als PartisanInnen fallen bzw. im KZ umgebracht werden. Die verwaiste Romana bleibt nach Kriegsende als Magd am Bauernhof und zieht später auf den Hof ihrer Eltern in Remschenig/Remcenik. Zwanzig Jahre leidet sie an Anämie. Im Laufe der Zeit normalisiert sich ihr Leben, doch »Wenn ein Kind den Krieg durchmacht, auch Glück hat, dass es überlebt – die Angst bleibt im ganzen Leben.«
Romana Verdel (geborene Rotter) wurde 1938 in Remschenig/Remcenik im zweisprachigen Teil von Kärnten/Koroska geboren. Ihre Familie gehört der slowenischen Minderheit an. Zusammen mit ihrer Mutter Anna Rotter und weiteren Verwandten wohnt sie bei Katarina Sluga, ihrer politisch engagierten Tante und Mitgründerin des Antifaschistischen Frauenbundes. Der NS-kritischen Haltung und der politischen Vernetzungstätigkeiten verdächtig, schließen sich einige Familienmitglieder 1943 den slowenischen PartisanInnen an. Der Rest der Familie wird im Oktober 1943 von der Gestapo arretiert und deportiert. Romana bleibt von der Gestapo unentdeckt und wird zusammen mit anderen Kindern von ihrer Tante Amalija versteckt, bis diese sich im Januar ’44 mit den Kindern den PartisanInnen in den Bergen und in Solcava im Logartal anschließt. Im April ’44 kehrt Amalija mit den Kindern nach Kärnten/Koroska zurück, wo Romana auf einem Bauernhof aufgenommen wird und den Krieg überlebt, während 13 ihrer Familienangehörigen als PartisanInnen fallen bzw. im KZ umgebracht werden. Die verwaiste Romana bleibt nach Kriegsende als Magd am Bauernhof und zieht später auf den Hof ihrer Eltern in Remschenig/Remcenik. Zwanzig Jahre leidet sie an Anämie. Im Laufe der Zeit normalisiert sich ihr Leben, doch »Wenn ein Kind den Krieg durchmacht, auch Glück hat, dass es überlebt – die Angst bleibt im ganzen Leben.«
Romana Verdel was born in Remschenig/Remcenik in 1938 in the bilingual part of Carinthia/Koroska. Her familiy belonged to the Slovenian minority. Together with her mother Anna Rotter and other relatives, she lived at the house of Katarina Sluga, her politically engaged aunt and founder of the antifascist women’s association. Being accused of a critical attitude towards National Socialism and network activities, some relatives join the Slovene partisans in 1943. Romana remains undiscovered by the Gesatpo and is being hidden with the children by her aunt Amalija, who also joins the partisans in the mountains and in Solcava in the valley Logartal. In April 1944, Amalija returns to Carinthia/Koroska. Roman is being taken in at a farmhouse and survives war there. 13 of her relatives fall with the partisans or die in concentration camps. The orphan Romana stays as a maid in the farm and later moves to the farmhouse of her partents in Remschenig/Remcenik. For 20 years, she suffers from anaemia. By and by, her life becomes more normal, but »when a child suffers from war and even is lucky enough to survive – the fear remains all your life«. -
Erwin Schulz wurde am 13. Oktober 1912 in Tempelhof (gehört seit 1920 zu Berlin) geboren. 1922 trat er dem Arbeitersportverein ›Fichte‹ bei. Vereine des Arbeitersports galten als fortschrittlich und antibürgerlich. Fünf Jahre später trat er in die Gewerkschaft, den Zentralverband der Angestellten, ein. Nach der Machtübergabe an Hitler im Januar 1933 wurden oppositionelle Gruppierungen nach und nach verboten, so auch der Arbeitersportverein ›Fichte‹. Erwin Schulz wurde im September 1935 wegen Vorbereitung zum Hochverrat zu fünf Jahren Zuchthaus verurteilt, weil er u.a. antinazistische Flugblätter verteilt hatte und die klandestinen Strukturen von ›Fichte‹ aufrecht erhielt. Die Stationen der nächsten zehn Jahre hießen u.a. Zuchthaus Luckau, die Lager Esterwegen und Börgermoor, Strafdivision 999er, marokkanische, französische, englische und amerikanische Kriegsgefangenschaft. Er kehrte erst im Oktober 1946 nach Berlin zurück.
Erwin Schulz wurde am 13. Oktober 1912 in Tempelhof (gehört seit 1920 zu Berlin) geboren. 1922 trat er dem Arbeitersportverein ›Fichte‹ bei. Vereine des Arbeitersports galten als fortschrittlich und antibürgerlich. Fünf Jahre später trat er in die Gewerkschaft, den Zentralverband der Angestellten, ein. Nach der Machtübergabe an Hitler im Januar 1933 wurden oppositionelle Gruppierungen nach und nach verboten, so auch der Arbeitersportverein ›Fichte‹. Erwin Schulz wurde im September 1935 wegen Vorbereitung zum Hochverrat zu fünf Jahren Zuchthaus verurteilt, weil er u.a. antinazistische Flugblätter verteilt hatte und die klandestinen Strukturen von ›Fichte‹ aufrecht erhielt. Die Stationen der nächsten zehn Jahre hießen u.a. Zuchthaus Luckau, die Lager Esterwegen und Börgermoor, Strafdivision 999er, marokkanische, französische, englische und amerikanische Kriegsgefangenschaft. Er kehrte erst im Oktober 1946 nach Berlin zurück.
Erwin Schulz was born on the 13th of October 1912 in Tempelhof (belonging to Berlin since 1920). In 1922, he joined the workers sport group “Fichte”. These sport groups were considered as being progressive and anti-bourgeois. Five years later he joined the trade union, the central association of office workers. After Hitler took over the power in January 1933, opposition groups were slowly forbidden, “Fichte” also. Erwin Schulz was condemned to five years imprisonment for preparation of high treason, because he had distributed antifascist flyers and helped to keep up the clandestine structures of "Fichte". The next ten years he went through the prison of Luckau, the camps of Esterwegen and Börgermoor, the punishment division 999, Moroccan, French, English and American captivity. Not until October 1946 he returned to Berlin. -
Lorenz Knorr wurde am 18.Juli 1921 in Eger ( CSSR ) heute Cheb geboren. Als Sohn einer Arbeiterfunktionärsfamilie, war L. Knorr vor dem Zweiten Weltkrieg Mitglied der Sozialdemokratischen Partei der CSSR. Während der Nazi Herrschaft wirkte L. Knorr bei der Verbreitung von Informationen, Publikationen, Sabotage an Rüstungs - und Kriegstransporten, als auch bei Sprengungen von Munitionslagern, mit. Er wurde zur Wehrmacht einberufen und kam 1942 wegen Wehrkraftszersetzung vor ein Kriegsgericht, dann in eine Strafkompanie in Afrika. Auch dort sowie später im besetzten Polen fand er Möglichkeiten zur antifaschistischen Tätigkeit. 1947-1950 war er Landessekretär bei der Sozialistische Jugend Deutschlands - Die Falken und amtierte von 1950-1960 als Bundessekretär. 1960 stieg er wegen Protest aus der SPD aus und positionierte sich gegen das Einschwenken der SPD auf den NATO- Kurs. Daraufhin gründete er die Deutsche Friedensunion (DFU) mit.
Lorenz Knorr wurde am 18.Juli 1921 in Eger ( CSSR ) heute Cheb geboren. Als Sohn einer Arbeiterfunktionärsfamilie, war L. Knorr vor dem Zweiten Weltkrieg Mitglied der Sozialdemokratischen Partei der CSSR. Während der Nazi Herrschaft wirkte L. Knorr bei der Verbreitung von Informationen, Publikationen, Sabotage an Rüstungs - und Kriegstransporten, als auch bei Sprengungen von Munitionslagern, mit. Er wurde zur Wehrmacht einberufen und kam 1942 wegen Wehrkraftszersetzung vor ein Kriegsgericht, dann in eine Strafkompanie in Afrika. Auch dort sowie später im besetzten Polen fand er Möglichkeiten zur antifaschistischen Tätigkeit. 1947-1950 war er Landessekretär bei der Sozialistische Jugend Deutschlands - Die Falken und amtierte von 1950-1960 als Bundessekretär. 1960 stieg er wegen Protest aus der SPD aus und positionierte sich gegen das Einschwenken der SPD auf den NATO- Kurs. Daraufhin gründete er die Deutsche Friedensunion (DFU) mit.
Lorenz Knorr was born on July 18th 1921 in Eger (CSSR), today called Cheb. He was the son of functionaries of the labour movement. Before WW2, he was a member of the social democratic party of the CSSR. During Nazi-rule, he participated in spreading information, publications, acts of sabotage on armament- and war-transports as well as in blowing up ammunition depots. He was called up for the German Wehrmacht and in 1942; he came in front of a court martial for undermining military strength. He was sent to a punishment battalion in Africa. Here, as well as later in occupied Poland, he found ways of antifascist action. From 1947-1950, he was county secretary of the Socialist Youth Germany and from 1950-1960 he was their federal secretary. In 1960, he left the social democrat party in protest, being opposed to its affirmation of the NATO-policies. Due to this, he took part in founding the German Peace Union. -
Giacomo Notari was born in Busana (RE) on 26 December 1927. Today he still lives in this small village in the mountains near Reggio Emilia. After having witnessed several innocent people killed by the fascists, he was still very young when he decided to become a partisan. After the 8th of September 1943 he joined the 145th Garibaldi Brigade »Franco Casoli«, operating in the mountains near Reggio in the area of Ligonchio, Busana and Cervarezza. His battle name was »Willi«. He took part in several sabotages of bridges and telephone poles, as well as in the last great battle to defend the Ligonchio hydroelectric power plant, from 10 to 14 April 1945.
Giacomo Notari was born in Busana (RE) on 26 December 1927. Today he still lives in this small village in the mountains near Reggio Emilia. After having witnessed several innocent people killed by the fascists, he was still very young when he decided to become a partisan. After the 8th of September 1943 he joined the 145th Garibaldi Brigade »Franco Casoli«, operating in the mountains near Reggio in the area of Ligonchio, Busana and Cervarezza. His battle name was »Willi«. He took part in several sabotages of bridges and telephone poles, as well as in the last great battle to defend the Ligonchio hydroelectric power plant, from 10 to 14 April 1945.
Giacomo Notari was born in Busana (RE) on December 6th 1927. Today he still lives in this small village in the mountains near Reggio Emilia. After having witnessed several innocent people killed by the fascists, he was still very young when he decided to become a partisan. After the 8th of September 1943 he joined the 145th Garibaldi Brigade »Franco Casoli«, operating in the mountains near Reggio in the area of Ligonchio, Busana and Cervarezza. His battle name was »Willi«. He took part in several sabotages of bridges and telephone poles, as well as in the last great battle to defend the Ligonchio hydroelectric power plant, from 10 to 14 April 1945. -
Lidia Valeriani, Montecavolo di Quattro Castella 23.01.1923 - Reggio Emilia 17.12.2014. Starting from 1939 she became active in »Soccorso Rosso«. After Mussolini’s fall, on 8 September 1943, she took part in demonstrations and assisted disbanded soldiers. Lidia Valeriani organized the strike in Montecavolo and consequently became a victim of persecution by the fascists. She then fled in the province of Modena, working with the »women support groups«. From March 1944 she joined the »2nd Division Modena lowlands« of the 35th Garibaldi Brigade »Walter Tabacchi« working as a secretary of the headquarters. She took care of both dispatch rider and military tasks until the Liberation. She was awarded a Silver Medal for Military Valour.
Lidia Valeriani, Montecavolo di Quattro Castella 23.01.1923 - Reggio Emilia 17.12.2014. Starting from 1939 she became active in »Soccorso Rosso«. After Mussolini’s fall, on 8 September 1943, she took part in demonstrations and assisted disbanded soldiers. Lidia Valeriani organized the strike in Montecavolo and consequently became a victim of persecution by the fascists. She then fled in the province of Modena, working with the »women support groups«. From March 1944 she joined the »2nd Division Modena lowlands« of the 35th Garibaldi Brigade »Walter Tabacchi« working as a secretary of the headquarters. She took care of both dispatch rider and military tasks until the Liberation. She was awarded a Silver Medal for Military Valour.
Lidia Valeriani, Montecavolo di Quattro Castella 23.01.1923 - Reggio Emilia 17.12.2014. Starting from 1939 she became active in »Soccorso Rosso«. After Mussolini’s fall, on 8 September 1943, she took part in demonstrations and assisted disbanded soldiers. Lidia Valeriani organized the strike in Montecavolo and consequently became a victim of persecution by the fascists. She then fled in the province of Modena, working with the »women support groups«. From March 1944 she joined the »2nd Division Modena lowlands« of the 35th Garibaldi Brigade »Walter Tabacchi« working as a secretary of the headquarters. She took care of both dispatch rider and military tasks until the Liberation. She was awarded a Silver Medal for Military Valour. -
He was born on November 16th, 1924 in Warsaw. He joined the scouts from in the mid-thirties. During the siege of Warsaw in October 1939 He helped the troops to move around the city. During the first years of occupation he engaged as a member of the Main Tutelary Council (RGO) and helped the poor and the war prisoners. He often illegally provided food and organized the evasions of Polish officers from German prisons. At the same time he took part in life-saving actions in the ghetto, leading Jews to the Arian side. He was a member of the Armia Krajowa (the Home Army), was arrested in 1942 and put in Pawiak prison. Later he was moved to Majdanek, Buchenwald and Schonebeck concentration camps. He is living in Warsaw today.
He was born on November 16th, 1924 in Warsaw. He joined the scouts from in the mid-thirties. During the siege of Warsaw in October 1939 He helped the troops to move around the city. During the first years of occupation he engaged as a member of the Main Tutelary Council (RGO) and helped the poor and the war prisoners. He often illegally provided food and organized the evasions of Polish officers from German prisons. At the same time he took part in life-saving actions in the ghetto, leading Jews to the Arian side. He was a member of the Armia Krajowa (the Home Army), was arrested in 1942 and put in Pawiak prison. Later he was moved to Majdanek, Buchenwald and Schonebeck concentration camps. He is living in Warsaw today.
He was born on November 16th, 1924 in Warsaw. He joined the scouts from in the mid-thirties. During the siege of Warsaw in October 1939 He helped the troops to move around the city. During the first years of occupation he engaged as a member of the Main Tutelary Council (RGO) and helped the poor and the war prisoners. He often illegally provided food and organized the evasions of Polish officers from German prisons. At the same time he took part in life-saving actions in the ghetto, leading Jews to the Arian side. He was a member of the Armia Krajowa (the Home Army), was arrested in 1942 and put in Pawiak prison. Later he was moved to Majdanek, Buchenwald and Schonebeck concentration camps. He is living in Warsaw today. -
She was born on October 12th, 1916 in St. Petersburg. Before World War II her family bought the estate in Orwidów Dolny in the Vilnius county, today Lithuania. On Sept 17th 1939 the Soviet Army invaded the territory, the Vilnius county became a part of Lithuania, and after that of the Soviet Union. In the spring of 1941, her mother was deported to the Soviet Union inland during the surge of repression on Polish people. After the German invasion in the summer of 1941, Stefania started to hide people oppressed by the occupant in the estate where she lived alone. Several refugees from Warsaw, Jews, members of the leftist resistance movement were hiding there. Most of them survived the war. Stefania Dąmbrowska engaged in the works of the Polish Committee of National Liberation (PKWN) in Lublin as well as the committee documenting the Nazi genocide in the Majdanek concentration camp. She was awarder the medal of the Just Among the World’s Nations. She lives in Warsaw.
She was born on October 12th, 1916 in St. Petersburg. Before World War II her family bought the estate in Orwidów Dolny in the Vilnius county, today Lithuania. On Sept 17th 1939 the Soviet Army invaded the territory, the Vilnius county became a part of Lithuania, and after that of the Soviet Union. In the spring of 1941, her mother was deported to the Soviet Union inland during the surge of repression on Polish people. After the German invasion in the summer of 1941, Stefania started to hide people oppressed by the occupant in the estate where she lived alone. Several refugees from Warsaw, Jews, members of the leftist resistance movement were hiding there. Most of them survived the war. Stefania Dąmbrowska engaged in the works of the Polish Committee of National Liberation (PKWN) in Lublin as well as the committee documenting the Nazi genocide in the Majdanek concentration camp. She was awarder the medal of the Just Among the World’s Nations. She lives in Warsaw.
She was born on October 12th, 1916 in St. Petersburg. Before World War II her family bought the estate in Orwidów Dolny in the Vilnius county, today Lithuania. On Sept 17th 1939 the Soviet Army invaded the territory, the Vilnius county became a part of Lithuania, and after that of the Soviet Union. In the spring of 1941, her mother was deported to the Soviet Union inland during the surge of repression on Polish people. After the German invasion in the summer of 1941, Stefania started to hide people oppressed by the occupant in the estate where she lived alone. Several refugees from Warsaw, Jews, members of the leftist resistance movement were hiding there. Most of them survived the war. Stefania Dąmbrowska engaged in the works of the Polish Committee of National Liberation (PKWN) in Lublin as well as the committee documenting the Nazi genocide in the Majdanek concentration camp. She was awarder the medal of the Just Among the World’s Nations. She lives in Warsaw. -
He was born on February 4th, 1929 in Warsaw. At the beginning of the war he engaged in the scouts’ activities, took part in reconnaissance actions and acts of sabotage. During the Warsaw Uprising he took part as a member of the AK (Home Army) in the unsuccessful attack on the Okęcie airport. Later on he reached the forests near Warsaw and subsequently served in three partisan squads. After the war, for a few years he was imprisoned in communist prison for subversive activity. He lives in Józefów near Warsaw.
He was born on February 4th, 1929 in Warsaw. At the beginning of the war he engaged in the scouts’ activities, took part in reconnaissance actions and acts of sabotage. During the Warsaw Uprising he took part as a member of the AK (Home Army) in the unsuccessful attack on the Okęcie airport. Later on he reached the forests near Warsaw and subsequently served in three partisan squads. After the war, for a few years he was imprisoned in communist prison for subversive activity. He lives in Józefów near Warsaw.
He was born on February 4th, 1929 in Warsaw. At the beginning of the war he engaged in the scouts’ activities, took part in reconnaissance actions and acts of sabotage. During the Warsaw Uprising he took part as a member of the AK (Home Army) in the unsuccessful attack on the Okęcie airport. Later on he reached the forests near Warsaw and subsequently served in three partisan squads. After the war, for a few years he was imprisoned in communist prison for subversive activity. He lives in Józefów near Warsaw. -
Ana Zablatnik, am 30. 10. 1923 in Ludmannsdorf/Bilčovs im südlichen Teil Kärntens geboren, ist Angehörige der slowenischen Minderheit. Sie und ihre Familie waren bereits früh Demütigungen ausgesetzt. Die Androhung einer Deportation (»Aussiedlung«) 1942 durch die Nazis, von der sie und ihre Familie glücklicherweise verschont blieben, führten zu ihrem Entschluss, Kontakt zu den PartisanInnen der »Osvobodilna fronta« (slowenische Befreiungsfront) herzustellen, die 1943 auch in der Umgebung ihres Heimatortes aktiv wurden. Am 6. Mai 1944 wurde sie verhaftet und in das Gestapo-Gefängnis in Klagenfurt eingeliefert. Ab Anfang 1945 wartete sie im landesgerichtlichen Gefangenenhaus auf den Prozess vor dem berüchtigten Volksgerichtshof, wozu es aber nicht mehr kam. Sie wurde in den letzten Kriegstagen (4. bis 6. Mai 1945) freigelassen. Ihre widerständige Haltung gegen jede Form von Diskriminierung hat sie bis heute bewahrt.
Ana Zablatnik, am 30. 10. 1923 in Ludmannsdorf/Bilčovs im südlichen Teil Kärntens geboren, ist Angehörige der slowenischen Minderheit. Sie und ihre Familie waren bereits früh Demütigungen ausgesetzt. Die Androhung einer Deportation (»Aussiedlung«) 1942 durch die Nazis, von der sie und ihre Familie glücklicherweise verschont blieben, führten zu ihrem Entschluss, Kontakt zu den PartisanInnen der »Osvobodilna fronta« (slowenische Befreiungsfront) herzustellen, die 1943 auch in der Umgebung ihres Heimatortes aktiv wurden. Am 6. Mai 1944 wurde sie verhaftet und in das Gestapo-Gefängnis in Klagenfurt eingeliefert. Ab Anfang 1945 wartete sie im landesgerichtlichen Gefangenenhaus auf den Prozess vor dem berüchtigten Volksgerichtshof, wozu es aber nicht mehr kam. Sie wurde in den letzten Kriegstagen (4. bis 6. Mai 1945) freigelassen. Ihre widerständige Haltung gegen jede Form von Diskriminierung hat sie bis heute bewahrt.
Ana Zablatnik was born in 1923 in the village Ludmannsdorf/Bilčovs in the southern part of Carinthia. She belongs to the Slovenian speaking minority. Early, she and her family were confronted with humiliations. The threat of being deported by the Nazis in 1942, from which she and her family luckily stayed unharmed, led to the decision to contact the partisans of the „Osvobodilna fronta“, the Slovenian liberation front. They were active in 1943 near her home village. On May 6th 1944 she was arrested and brought to a Gestapo-prison in Klagenfurt. From the beginning of 1945, she awaited her trial in the notorious court of justice, but it was not realized anymore. She was released in the last days of war (4.-6. May 1945). She kept her resistant attitude against any form of discrimination up to today. -
Lucien Ducastel was born on August 28th,1920 in Darnetal. Soon he joins the Communist Youth Movement. As a member of the Communist Party (which was banned along with other Youth organisations and Workers) his activities consist of raising awareness of the French population regarding the occupation by distributing leaflets, especially at the factory gates, and hanging up posters protesting against the occupation and the Vichy government. He is arrested at his parents home in Petit-Quevilly by the French police on October 21st,1941 and taken to the prison in Rouen, from where he is transported to the Camp of Compiègne, a hostages camp, along with a hundred comrades. After eight months of imprisonment in the camp of Compiègne he is deported to Auschwitz on July 6th,1942. This transport will later on be called the convoi of the 45000s, as the deportees of this convoy, essentially political opponents, will be registered in Auschwitz with the numbers 45157-46326. Lucien gets the number 45491. He is one of the few that will ever return to France. Upon his arrival, Lucien Ducastel is transferred to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where he will stay for 8 months before returning to the Stammlager Auschwitz I. From there he will be transferred to Gross-Rosen in August 1944 and afterwards to Dora-Mittelbau, where he will finally be liberated. After a long recovery he returns to his work on construction sites and takes up his political activities in the French Communist Party and the Workers Union as well. He starts a family and moves to Nanterre in the 50s, where he still lives today. He is an active member of a association called « Mémoire vive » (alive memory) and visits school classes to talk about his experience during the war. This activity is extremely important to him.
Lucien Ducastel was born on August 28th,1920 in Darnetal. Soon he joins the Communist Youth Movement. As a member of the Communist Party (which was banned along with other Youth organisations and Workers) his activities consist of raising awareness of the French population regarding the occupation by distributing leaflets, especially at the factory gates, and hanging up posters protesting against the occupation and the Vichy government. He is arrested at his parents home in Petit-Quevilly by the French police on October 21st,1941 and taken to the prison in Rouen, from where he is transported to the Camp of Compiègne, a hostages camp, along with a hundred comrades. After eight months of imprisonment in the camp of Compiègne he is deported to Auschwitz on July 6th,1942. This transport will later on be called the convoi of the 45000s, as the deportees of this convoy, essentially political opponents, will be registered in Auschwitz with the numbers 45157-46326. Lucien gets the number 45491. He is one of the few that will ever return to France. Upon his arrival, Lucien Ducastel is transferred to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where he will stay for 8 months before returning to the Stammlager Auschwitz I. From there he will be transferred to Gross-Rosen in August 1944 and afterwards to Dora-Mittelbau, where he will finally be liberated. After a long recovery he returns to his work on construction sites and takes up his political activities in the French Communist Party and the Workers Union as well. He starts a family and moves to Nanterre in the 50s, where he still lives today. He is an active member of a association called « Mémoire vive » (alive memory) and visits school classes to talk about his experience during the war. This activity is extremely important to him.
Lucien Ducastel was born on August 28th,1920 in Darnetal. Soon he joins the Communist Youth Movement. As a member of the Communist Party (which was banned along with other Youth organisations and Workers) his activities consist of raising awareness of the French population regarding the occupation by distributing leaflets, especially at the factory gates, and hanging up posters protesting against the occupation and the Vichy government. He is arrested at his parents home in Petit-Quevilly by the French police on October 21st,1941 and taken to the prison in Rouen, from where he is transported to the Camp of Compiègne, a hostages camp, along with a hundred comrades. After eight months of imprisonment in the camp of Compiègne he is deported to Auschwitz on July 6th,1942. This transport will later on be called the convoi of the 45000s, as the deportees of this convoy, essentially political opponents, will be registered in Auschwitz with the numbers 45157-46326. Lucien gets the number 45491. He is one of the few that will ever return to France. Upon his arrival, Lucien Ducastel is transferred to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where he will stay for 8 months before returning to the Stammlager Auschwitz I. From there he will be transferred to Gross-Rosen in August 1944 and afterwards to Dora-Mittelbau, where he will finally be liberated. After a long recovery he returns to his work on construction sites and takes up his political activities in the French Communist Party and the Workers Union as well. He starts a family and moves to Nanterre in the 50s, where he still lives today. He is an active member of a association called « Mémoire vive » (alive memory) and visits school classes to talk about his experience during the war. This activity is extremely important to him.