European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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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. -
He was sent to the East. But they did not even have weapons.
He was sent to the East. But they did not even have weapons.
Er wurde in den Osten geschickt. Aber sie hatten nicht einmal Waffen. -
Unfortunately, I lost my mother at that time and my father came back to take care of the family.
Unfortunately, I lost my mother at that time and my father came back to take care of the family.
Leider verlor ich meine Mutter zu der Zeit und mein Vater kehrte zurück, um sich um die Familie zu kümmern. -
During the time it took him to come home, my aunt and uncle took care of us, my brother and me.
During the time it took him to come home, my aunt and uncle took care of us, my brother and me.
Bis er wieder zu Hause war, kümmerten sich meine Tante und mein Onkel um uns – um meinen Bruder und mich. -
In 1940, when the danger of German occupation was imminent, my aunt wanted us to go to Southern France.
In 1940, when the danger of German occupation was imminent, my aunt wanted us to go to Southern France.
1940, als die Gefahr einer deutschen Besatzung immanent war, wollte meine Tante, dass wir nach Südfrankreich gehen. -
We got to know the so-called “débacle” – the total collapse – during our flight.
We got to know the so-called “débacle” – the total collapse – during our flight.
Wir lernten das sogenannte “débacle” – den totalen Zusammenbruch – während unserer Flucht kennen. -
We left by foot, pushing our suitcases on bikes.
We left by foot, pushing our suitcases on bikes.
Wir gingen zu Fuß los. Wir schoben unsere Koffer auf Fahrrädern. -
In Le Mans the Germans caught up with us.
In Le Mans the Germans caught up with us.
In Le Mans holten uns die Deutschen ein.