“We wanted more from life than just to be tolerated,” reflected Holocaust survivor Erwin Deutscher–world history and facts




“We wanted more from life than just to be tolerated,” reflected Holocaust survivor Erwin Deutscher.

 “Of course later on, we understood it's even worse than we expected.”

On this day 85 years ago, German troops crossed the Austro-German border unopposed just hours after Nazi leaders pressured the Austrian chancellor to resign. 

Erwin was 15 years old. “Our family definitely, but I would say almost all the Jews were surprised,” remembered Erwin.

As a child, Erwin was largely unaware of Hitler’s intentions for Austria. Hitler spent years plotting out an Austro-German union.

 By March 1938, he succeeded in carrying out the German annexation of Austria—an event known as the Anschluss—without firing a single shot. 

Erwin remembered his father, Efraim, had tears in his eyes as their neighbors attempted to console him.

 “Non-Jewish neighbors came in very friendly and said, ‘But you know, nothing will happen to Jews like you. You're the good Jews,’” recalled Erwin.

Their neighbors were wrong. Soon after, the Deutschers lost their dairy business. Efraim was rounded up along with other Jewish men and forced to march through the city with brooms and hats.

 As a former officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army, Efraim felt humiliated. 

Toward the end of the march, Efraim spotted his neighbor overseeing a group of Jewish women forced to wash windows. He was wearing a Nazi SA uniform. “This guy who told him not to worry was then later in a Nazi uniform,” said Erwin. 

The family immediately made plans to leave. Erwin was able to receive passage to Palestine. His brothers were among a select group of children refugees sent to the United States.

 After first seeking safety in Italy, Erwin's parents and sister were eventually liberated in September 1943 from the Ferramonti camp. 

Photo: USHMM, gift of Naomi Deutscher


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