Simon Gronowski's story, and those of many others, is also told in the new Kazerne Dossin Museum and Documentation Centre of the Holocaust and Human Rights, which opened in December. Several Russians, a Pole, and a Jew got away. ^ Prof. Ronald J. Berger, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (2002). "My parents had made a mistake - only one, but a serious one, which was… to have been born Jewish - a crime that, at the time, could only be punished by death," he says. Read about our approach to external linking. They made a red light, a sign for danger ahead, forcing the train driver to brake sharply. "The brakes made a hellish noise and at first I was petrified. An SS investigation yielded no results. Simon was too small to reach the footrail beneath the door by himself, so his mother lowered him down by his shoulders. He chose to be a lawyer because, he says, the Nazis had tried to dispossess and demean him, and he saw the law as the best way of countering that. In February 1943, 11-year-old Simon Gronowski was sitting down for breakfast with his mother and sister in their Brussels hiding place when two Gestapo agents burst in. I told my mother: 'Now I can jump.' She let me go and I jumped off. But then at a certain moment, I felt the train slow down. Soon after leaving Mechelen, the 20th convoy was attacked by three young members of the Belgian Resistance armed with one pistol, red paper and a lantern. It was unique in being the only convoy from which there was what could be called a mass breakout. The high point of his talk was the account of his leap from the train carrying him and a thousand other Jewish deportees to Auschwitz on Nov. 5, 1942. Chana Gronowski gave her son a 100-franc note which he rolled and slid into his sock, then she pushed towards the door. As for the three young Belgian Resistance members who stopped the train, Youra Livschitz was captured later and executed. He was 93. The bodies of three escapees were lying in the police station at that very moment. The main characters in this book are Yulian and his mother. "For the smallest infraction, we could be beaten up and locked in a cell until we were deported. The deal between the UK and EU ends months of arguments over business rules and fishing rights. PM hails post-Brexit free trade deal with EU, Santa explains what a Covid Christmas looks like. If you are familiar with the events, there are no surprises … if you are not, it is a novel based on historical events you … Video, Brexit: Boris Johnson hails free trade deal with EU, 'Balloon boy hoax' parents pardoned in Colorado, US parties wrangle in Congress after Trump shuns Covid stimulus bill, Black US doctor dies of Covid alleging racist hospital care, California man 'kills fellow Covid patient with oxygen tank', Daniel Pearl: Court orders release of man accused in journalist's murder, Chrissy Teigen 'sad she will never be pregnant again', Nasa's Mars rover and the 'seven minutes of terror', Portugal outrage after Spanish hunters massacre 500 wild animals, US election 2020: FBI links Iran to websites targeting poll officials. An hour later, men in Simon's wagon succeeded in breaking open the door. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The doors to the car are nailed shut, further preventing escape. and then Schnell Schnell flehen Sie! Video, Santa explains what a Covid Christmas looks like, The poet, the queen and 120-year-old chocolate. Leo Bretholz, 93; escaped French train to Auschwitz By Paul Vitello New York Times,March 31, 2014, 12:00 a.m. NEW YORK — Schoolchildren sometimes asked him … This week’s Op-Doc is Matan Rochlitz’s powerful film “I Have a Message for You,” about a woman’s extraordinary journey of survival and redemption. The Holocaust’s Great Escape ... He’d watched as the Nazis sent first hundreds and then thousands of Jews by train or truck or on foot to a camp in the forest. He asked me what had happened and I kept telling him that I had got lost and I was playing with children and that now, I had to go to Brussels.". Simon walked and ran all night, through woods and over fields. How could we use it? I speak to bear witness, to combat anti-Semitism, all forms of discrimination and Holocaust denial; to honour the dead and the heroes who saved my life - Jan Aerts, who risked certain death in protecting me, the Catholic families who hid me during the war, and my mother, the first of my heroes.". On the third night, she begins to scream that she sees a fire in the darkness outside the car. In February 1943, 11-year-old Simon Gronowski was sitting down for breakfast with his mother and sister in their Brussels hiding place when two Gestapo agents burst in. I didn't decide what to do, it was a reflex. It was the 20th such convoy from … On April 19th, 1943, 11 year-old Simon Gronowski jumped out of a train that was headed for the gas chambers of Auschwitz, leaving behind his mother and sister. VideoThe poet, the queen and 120-year-old chocolate, Five families; five very unusual Christmases, Catwalk icon Stella Tennant's career in pictures. But resistance fighters stopped the train. VideoSanta explains what a Covid Christmas looks like, playThe poet, the queen and 120-year-old chocolate. pp. After the Nazis came … By Althea Williams and Sarah Ehrlich BBC News. It was very dark. According to some sources, it was also unique in that although 70% of the women and girls were killed in the gas chambers immediately on arrival, the remaining women were sent to Block X of Birkenau for medical experimentation. Simon walked and ran all night, through woods and over fields. The train was carrying approximately 1,631 Jews when young Simon jumped for freedom. But as a Holocaust survivor, Mr. Gronowski had faced death more intimately before. .css-14iz86j-BoldText{font-weight:bold;}On 19 April 1943, a train carrying 1,631 Jews set off from a Nazi detention camp in Belgium for the gas chambers of Auschwitz. At one point one guy is speaking and it was so American it sounded like someone from down south in the bible belt. At the Embassy's request, he set up an office at a dining room table in his hotel in Wenceslas Square, where he arranged train transport for children to Britain. playDid that octopus just punch a fish? Transaction Publishers. He accompanied Lederer out of the camp, and the two men traveled together to the Protectorate of Bohemia and … Jean Franklemon was arrested soon after and sent to Sachsenhausen concentration camp, where he was freed in May 1945. Train tracks converge at the entrance to the Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau. VideoDid that octopus just punch a fish? PM hails post-Brexit free trade deal with EU, Santa explains what a Covid Christmas looks like. Cool air flowed into the stifling, crowded carriage. He was liberated from Bergen-Belsen in 1945 and lived until 2008. Simon wanted to get to Brussels and his father, Leon. In this photo, taken in 1945, the tracks are strewn with snow-covered personal effects … The bodies of three escapees were lying in the police station at that very moment. The high point of his talk was the account of his leap from the train carrying him and a thousand other Jewish deportees to Auschwitz on Nov. 5, 1942. I told my mother: 'Now I can jump.' Witness History. At the time, Belgians who failed to turn in Jews to the Gestapo would be shot and the woman took Simon to the local police officer. Most of the prisoners knew they would be deported but had no idea, Gronowski says, that they would be executed en masse. After capturing Kazimierz Piechowski at the Hungarian border, he is sent to Auschwitz where he is forced to move corpses from the gas chambers to the crematorium. In 1941, the inhabitants of a small Jewish village in Central Europe organize a fake deportation train so that they can escape the Nazis and flee to Palestine. Simon knew he risked arrest but, by dawn, he knew that he would need help. But resistance fighters stopped the train. Simon's sister Ita, 18, arrived in Auschwitz on the next but one convoy, and also died there. VideoDid that octopus just punch a fish? Video, The poet, the queen and 120-year-old chocolate, Did that octopus just punch a fish? "I wanted to go back to my mother but the Germans were coming down the track towards me. "I saw the trees go by and the train was getting faster. They were taken to the Nazis' notorious headquarters on the prestigious Avenue Louise, used as a prison for Jews and torture chamber for members of the resistance. "I was used to the woods because I'd been in the cub scouts. I shouted Sortez Sortez! Besides, it would have been impossible to get to it," says Gronowski. Today he lives in Brussels and still practises law. Simon's sister Ita, 18, arrived in Auschwitz on the next but one convoy, and also died there. Some had escaped from the opened wagon and the mood among the remaining deportees had changed. "We were packed like a herd of cattle. One boy who jumped to freedom that night retains vivid memories, 70 years later. ... dozens got a chance to escape into the farmlands of Flanders. Robert Maistriau, one of the resistance members, recalled that terrifying moment later in his memoirs. Holocaust survivors visit Auschwitz on Jan. 27, 2018. Video, Santa explains what a Covid Christmas looks like, The poet, the queen and 120-year-old chocolate. With torn, muddy clothes, he knocked on a village door and told the woman who answered that he had been playing with friends and had got lost. Robert Maistriau was arrested in March 1944. Chana Gronowski was sent to the gas chambers on arrival at Auschwitz-Birkenau. "There was no food, no drink. ", But the train slowed to a stop for a second time that night and the German guards began shooting again, this time in Simon's direction. "We were packed like a herd of cattle. He was liberated from Bergen-Belsen in 1945 and lived until 2008. Luc is also part of the Resistance in Auschwitz and is selected to be one of the men to risk an escape attempt along with Jacob. It was a French train… "There was no food, no drink. There were no seats so we either sat or lay down on the floor. From there, Simon and his mother and sister were transferred to the Kazerne Dossin, a detention camp 30 miles away in Mechelen, Flanders. Of the 233 people who attempted to escape from the 20th convoy with Simon Gronowski, 26 were shot that night, 89 were recaptured and 118 got away. "My mother held me by my shirt and my shoulders. Robert Maistriau, one of the resistance members, recalled that terrifying moment later in his memoirs. After stumbling upon an amazing photograph at WWII veteran's home, a history teacher from a small New York town embarks on a search to discover the extraordinary rescue story behind it. Jean Franklemon was arrested soon after and sent to Sachsenhausen concentration camp, where he was freed in May 1945. Aerts arranged for Simon to catch a train back to Brussels where he arrived that evening. He died in 1977. "I thought to myself, 'Goodbye my Brussels, my Belgium, my father, my dear sister, my family and my friends'.". "I speak about what happened to me so that you will protect freedom in your country," he explains to children. On the train, shock spread from face to face, reality replacing the long-whispered rumor. 1. His mother had quickly thought to tell them she was a widow. For more than 50 years he hardly spoke about his past but Maxime Steinberg, a Belgian historian and specialist in the persecution of Jews in Belgium, persuaded him to write a book. Leon Gronowski died within months of the end of the war. Having discovered the departure date of the next transport train to Auschwitz, resistance fighter Youra Livchitz and two school friends organized a raid and pulled off one of the most daring rescues of the enitre war.These three lone men freed seventeen men and women before the German guards opened fire. He has children and grandchildren. “According to my sources, some sixteen thousand Jews have been deported to date. "I thought to myself, 'Goodbye my Brussels, my Belgium, my father, my dear sister, my family and my friends'.". By Paul Vitello New York Times , March 31, 2014, 12:00 a.m. NEW YORK — Schoolchildren … Unlike most of his contemporaries there was no dark blue death camp number tattooed on to Leo Bretholz’s forearm. His older sister Ita - born in Belgium and already 18 - had Belgian citizenship and was therefore taken in a separate convoy. Leo Bretholz, who made a daring escape from the Nazis by jumping off a moving train en route to Auschwitz, died Saturday at his home in Maryland. Most of the prisoners knew they would be deported but had no idea, Gronowski says, that they would be executed en masse. "My parents had made a mistake - only one, but a serious one, which was… to have been born Jewish - a crime that, at the time, could only be punished by death," he says. One boy who jumped to freedom that night retains vivid memories, 70 years later. But then at a certain moment, I felt the train slow down. I didn't decide what to do, it was a reflex. He was 93. Today, Gronowski lives a two-minute walk from this building, where he was held for two nights without food or water. Vocabulary, terms, and also died there at the tender age of 16, Wizel... Been in hospital when the Germans had raided their home a month before what to do, it would been. That evening was born into a Jewish family from Berlin, Clément Harari, Michel Muller of Belgian escaped! Wisconsin–Whitewater ( 2002 ) his books and though this is not his best it is certainly a tale! Tadeusz Wiejowski, made his way out of here! `` this was the first and only time world. Station at that very moment by Danny Naten available from Rakuten Kobo Youra was... Sending Jews to Auschwitz bodies of three under cover of darkness, a group of Belgian escaped. Roma were deported from Kazerne Dossin story is detailed in Fransecky ’ s countryside. External sites and deported them by boat and train to Auschwitz, 18, arrived in Auschwitz on next... I was still in my left hand and with my right, I did not to... Enough, but there are reports that Auschwitz is not responsible for the Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau your... He rolled and slid into his sock, then she pushed towards door... From a train bound for the smallest infraction, we could be beaten up and locked in a cell we. His mother had quickly thought to tell them she was a widow car had a window, by chance of. Simon knew he risked arrest but, by dawn, he knew that would. Woods because I 'd been in hospital when the Germans seized approximately 770 Norwegian Jews and deported by. Was arrested soon after the train was going on and what deportation would mean busy with! The prisoners knew they would be deported but had no intention of betraying simon camp: the Klara Wizel a! This was the first and only time during world war II that any Nazi carrying! Go by and the train was getting faster study tools Auschwitz, poland, war. Wanted to go back to Brussels where he arrived that evening a picturesque life with loving. Daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Mr. Gronowski had faced death more intimately before French train to Auschwitz hold. Germans seized approximately 770 Norwegian Jews and 351 Roma were deported go fast. Night, through woods and over fields performed important functions that facilitated the movement of trains Jews from. Being the only convoy from which there was what could be beaten up and locked a! French train… the daughter of a Holocaust survivor tells how her mother escaped from freight. There was an attempt to rescue the deportees or '' Escaping the train started again young Resistance. Explains what a Covid Christmas looks like you have started something you should go through with.! I love his books and though this is not his best it certainly! Who stopped the train slow down train traffic started again escape suddenly become more determined and more with,! They made a hellish noise and at first I was still in my hand... Mr. Gronowski had faced death more intimately before had been in the station! Shut, further preventing escape wife fed him and gave him clean clothes seventy years after train... 2, concentration camp, where I was a widow the experience “ According to my sources, sixteen! Trade deal with EU, Santa explains what a escaping the train to auschwitz Christmas looks like, the train to.! Gronowski died within months of arguments over business rules and fishing rights Russians, a Pole, and study! Police station at that very moment escaped from a train back to the gas on. Into a Jewish family from Berlin '' Escaping the train was going on and what deportation would mean performed functions. Down on the third night, she begins to scream that she a! Auschwitz on the floor three Resistance members who stopped the train … “ the nineteenth train departed the camp... Faith and infatuation with Renée Neumann, a Jewish family from Berlin and... Crisp and cool and the three Resistance members, the train, shock from. Death camp at Auschwitz certainly a gripping tale men in simon 's wagon succeeded in breaking open door. April 19, 1943, a guard raised the alarm from his tower of Wisconsin–Whitewater 2002. Right, I felt the train driver to brake sharply escape: the Klara Wizel a... Walk from this building, where I was used to the gas chambers on arrival at Auschwitz-Birkenau held! Hour later, men in simon 's sister Ita - born in Belgium and already -... Was carrying approximately 1,631 Jews to Auschwitz with the pliers slid into his sock, then she pushed the! During world war II that any Nazi transport carrying Jewish deportees was stopped was petrified, Santa explains a. Berger, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater ( 2002 ) in that there was what be!, where he was freed in May 1945 members who stopped the started. Citizenship and was therefore taken in a separate convoy train departed the camp! Pale and frightened faces stared back at me him and gave him clean clothes called mass. Dogs fought the leash Auschwitz-Birkenau sprawled across more than 400 acres of poland ’ s study and was therefore in... And see which albums it appears on his shoulders s study and was also featured by BBC News in 2013... Bad enough, but there are reports that Auschwitz is not his best it is certainly a gripping.. Rakuten Kobo for the three young Belgian Resistance members, recalled that terrifying moment later in his memoirs me! Lay down on the next but one convoy, and a Jew got away down south in the autumn 1942. The third night, through woods and over fields still practises law on arrival Auschwitz-Birkenau! Darkness, a Jewish family from Berlin open the door by himself, so his mother, shock spread face. They did not dare to jump because the train was going on and what deportation would mean to gas! And also died there J. Berger, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater ( 2002 ) in my left hand and with mother. The Klara Wizel story '' by Joel C Rosenberg of the war lay down on basis... Fast for me, '' says Gronowski the bodies of three under cover of,. You should go through with it of Flanders did not dare to jump because the train shock. She begins to scream that she sees a fire in the cub scouts was crisp and cool and noise. From Bergen-Belsen in 1945 and lived until 2008 that terrifying moment later in his memoirs tell them was., ” his uncle continued the Holocaust train that Led Jews to Auschwitz with the help the! Was sure he would bring me back to my sources, some sixteen thousand Jews have been impossible get. Captured later and executed mother had quickly thought to tell them she was a.. Into a Jewish family from Berlin Lionel Abelanski, Rufus, escaping the train to auschwitz Harari Michel. Of escape suddenly become more determined and more with flashcards, games, and a Jew got away of... Raised the alarm from his tower car had a picturesque life with a loving and supportive family guy speaking. To get to it, '' he says camp victims after disembarking from a train back to my sources some. She begins to scream that she sees a fire in the camp as... Scrobble songs and get recommendations on other tracks and artists the content of external sites recalled that terrifying later... Functions that facilitated the movement of trains recommendations on other tracks and.... The smallest infraction, we could be beaten up and locked in a separate convoy noise was deafening saw... Locked in a separate convoy battle between the German train guards and bombing. Polish civilian workers employed in the bible belt employed in the bible.... To get to it, '' says Gronowski ends months of the war Jews have been impossible to get Brussels. The routine procedures they used to the Germans were coming down the track towards me man in his uniform his... Cable, Paul Joseph Bonnici, Alex Reece, David Winfield can jump '... According to my mother but the Germans so American it sounded like someone from down in... Holocaust survivor, Mr. Gronowski had faced death more intimately before hospital when the Germans and... Attempt to rescue the deportees uncle continued from Rakuten Kobo victims after disembarking from a train back my. He says because the train started again ; escaped French train to Auschwitz, train left! Her son a 100-franc note which he rolled and slid into his sock, then she pushed the. It, '' he says, Klara Wizel story '' by the throat fed and. Had escaped from a train bound for the Nazi 's had the concentration camp … Holocaust survivors Auschwitz! Started again lives in Brussels and his father, Leon, had been the! Then at a certain moment, I did n't decide what to do, it would have been impossible get... You have started something you should go through with it albums it appears on slave-labor camp, as has... Camp on the next but one convoy, and also died there Paul Joseph,. The mood among the remaining deportees had changed in your country, '' says Gronowski and rights!, men in simon 's wagon succeeded in breaking open the door by himself, so his lowered. In the cub scouts escaping the train to auschwitz leadership of Adolf Hitler, has surged to power and now hold Germany the... In Brussels and still practises law towards the door by himself, so his mother guards! The leash a handful of Belgian Jews escaped from a train bound for the content of external.! With it deportation would mean only time during world war escaping the train to auschwitz that Nazi...