European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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One was only allowed outside with an Ausweis (pass) issued by the police or by the Germans.
One was only allowed outside with an Ausweis (pass) issued by the police or by the Germans.
Man durfte nur mit einem speziellen Ausweis der Polizei oder der Deutschen draußen sein. -
It’s strange when you think about it: nowadays our mailboxes are filled with advertisement,
It’s strange when you think about it: nowadays our mailboxes are filled with advertisement,
Wenn man darüber nachdenkt, dass heute jede Menge Flugblätter und Werbung in den Briefkästen sind: -
in those days we were risking our lives, risking being arrested, beaten and tortured.
in those days we were risking our lives, risking being arrested, beaten and tortured.
Damals riskierte man das Leben. Man riskierte Verhaftung, Schläge und Folter, um zum Reden gebracht zu werden. -
Many were used as hostages and shot. That was the case of the comrades, who I talked about before.
Many were used as hostages and shot. That was the case of the comrades, who I talked about before.
Viele dienten als Geiseln oder wurden einfach erschossen. Das war das Schicksal der Kameraden von denen ich vorher sprach. -
They were simply shot as hostages after an event of the resistance.
They were simply shot as hostages after an event of the resistance.
Einige wurden in Mont Valérien erschossen. -
Those who say they were not afraid during that time, are either dumb or liars.
Those who say they were not afraid during that time, are either dumb or liars.
Diejenigen die sagen, in dieser Zeit keine Angst gehabt zu haben, sind entweder bewusstlos oder Lügner. -
Or they didn’t do anything.
Or they didn’t do anything.
Oder sie waren untätig. -
As soon as you were active in the resistance, there was always the danger of being arrested, with all the consequences.
As soon as you were active in the resistance, there was always the danger of being arrested, with all the consequences.
Sobald man im Widerstand aktiv war, war man ständig in Gefahr, verhaftet zu werden – mit allen Konsequenzen. -
Our police headquarters’ expertise was beating the foot soles of the people they arrested.
Our police headquarters’ expertise was beating the foot soles of the people they arrested.
Bei der Polizei von Puteaux waren sie Experten darin, Gefangene zu schlagen. -
Asked about day to day life, we answer that the whole French population,
Asked about day to day life, we answer that the whole French population,
Heute geht man davon aus, dass die gesamte Bevölkerung Frankreichs während der Besetzung an Hunger litt. -
except for a minority that took advantage of the situation and dealt on the black market, suffered from hunger,
except for a minority that took advantage of the situation and dealt on the black market, suffered from hunger,
Von einer Minderheit abgesehen, die sich die Situation zu Nutzen machte und auf dem Schwarzmarkt handelte. -
while nowadays students can get a chocolate croissant in the bakery across their school without a problem.
while nowadays students can get a chocolate croissant in the bakery across their school without a problem.
Die Schüler können heute ein Schokoladenbrötchen an der Bäckerei direkt gegenüber der Schule kaufen. -
In those days we were allowed one little piece of bread a day, or 90 grams of meat a week.
In those days we were allowed one little piece of bread a day, or 90 grams of meat a week.
Wir hatten damals Anspruch auf so ein kleines Stück Brot pro Tag. Oder 90g Fleisch pro Woche. -
You needed to have a ration ticket; otherwise you were forced to buy on the black market.
You needed to have a ration ticket; otherwise you were forced to buy on the black market.
Man brauchte Lebensmittelmarken oder man war gezwungen, auf dem Schwarzmarkt zu kaufen. -
The Nazis had raided everything in France.
The Nazis had raided everything in France.
Die Nazis haben alles geplündert in Frankreich. -
France had been self-sufficient because of their agriculture and industry.
France had been self-sufficient because of their agriculture and industry.
Frankreich war ein selbständiges Land mit seiner Landwirtschaft und seiner Industrie. -
They took everything, all the machines, everything.
They took everything, all the machines, everything.
Sie haben die Maschinen mitgenommen, alles. -
First resistance activities
First resistance activities
Erste Aktivitäten im Widerstand -
On September 3rd, 1939, war was declared.
On September 3rd, 1939, war was declared.
Am 3. September 1939 wurde der Krieg erklärt. -
My father was mobilized as we had become French citizens.
My father was mobilized as we had become French citizens.
Mein Vater wurde mobilisiert, da wir jetzt französische Staatsbürger waren.