European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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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. -
When the Germans got in front of us, we returned to Nanterre.
When the Germans got in front of us, we returned to Nanterre.
Als die Deutschen vor uns waren, kehrten wir nach Nanterre zurück. -
The city was almost empty at the time.
The city was almost empty at the time.
Die Stadt war zu der Zeit fast leer. -
It was July and Nanterre had been occupied on June 14th, 1940.
It was July and Nanterre had been occupied on June 14th, 1940.
Es war Juli, Nanterre wurde am 14. Juni 1940 besetzt. -
There were very few working factories.
There were very few working factories.
Es gab nur sehr wenige funktionierende Fabriken. -
I got back in touch with my comrades from the Communist Youth Movement and we started…
I got back in touch with my comrades from the Communist Youth Movement and we started…
Ich kam wieder in Kontakt mit meinen Kameradinnen der Kommunistischen Jugendbewegung und wir begannen… -
how could I best describe it? The people did not understand anything.
how could I best describe it? The people did not understand anything.
wie kann ich es am besten beschreiben? Die Leute verstanden es nicht. -
They were suddenly imprisoned instead of in a free country.
They were suddenly imprisoned instead of in a free country.
Sie waren auf einmal gefangen, statt in einem freien Land. -
This happened in less than a month.
This happened in less than a month.
Das geschah in weniger als einem Monat. -
The Nazis crossed the French border on May 10th, 1940 and on June 10th they were in Paris.
The Nazis crossed the French border on May 10th, 1940 and on June 10th they were in Paris.
Die Nazis überquerten die französische Grenze am 10. Mai 1940 und am 10. Juni waren sie in Paris. -
Everybody was scared and tried to leave.
Everybody was scared and tried to leave.
Alle hatten Angst und versuchten weg zu gehen. -
We did not understand how in this country of freedom,
We did not understand how in this country of freedom,
Wir konnten nicht verstehen, wie in diesem Land der Freiheit, -
where we had everything we wanted, self-sufficient country
where we had everything we wanted, self-sufficient country
wo wir alles hatten was wir brauchten – ein selbständiges Land -
(its agriculture and its industry), suddenly nothing was left.
(its agriculture and its industry), suddenly nothing was left.
(seine Landwirtschaft und seine Industrie) – plötzlich nichts mehr übrig war.