Testimony of Samson Sachta Schaechter, born in Campulungul Moldovenesc, Romania, 1912, regarding his experiences in Soviet forced labor camps, as a Czechoslovakian soldier in Buzuluk, Novokhopersk, Sokolovo, Kiev, Belaya Tserkov and Dukla

Testimony of Samson Sachta Schaechter, born in Campulungul Moldovenesc, Romania, 1912, regarding his experiences in Soviet forced labor camps, as a Czechoslovakian soldier in Buzuluk, Novokhopersk, Sokolovo, Kiev, Belaya Tserkov and Dukla 

Testimony of Samson Sachta Schaechter, born in Campulungul Moldovenesc, Romania, 1912, regarding his experiences in Soviet forced labor camps, as a Czechoslovakian soldier in Buzuluk, Novokhopersk, Sokolovo, Kiev, Belaya Tserkov and Dukla 

Typewritten original 84 pages/frames 

Testimony of Samson Sachta Schaechter, born in Campulungul Moldovenesc, Romania, 1912, regarding his experiences in Soviet forced labor camps, as a Czechoslovakian soldier in Buzuluk, Novokhopersk, Sokolovo, Kiev, Belaya Tserkov and Dukla Life as a Jewish foreign student in Brno, 1939; expulsion to Romania; deportation to labor in Soviet factories and coal mines, 1940-1941; enlistment of Jews in the Czechoslovakian battalion at Buzuluk, 1942; nationality problems; Communist influences; service in a reserve regiment; combat in Sokolovo, 1943; attitude of Ukrainian volunteers towards the Jews; the role of the Jews in the Czechoslovakian brigade at Novokhopersk and in battles at Kiev and Bela Cerkev; reasons for the defeat at Krosno, 1944; assumption of command by General Svoboda; the Dukla campaign; forms and causes of antisemitism during the war and in liberated Czechoslovakia. Formation of the Czechoslovakian Jewish brigade for Israel, 1948; initiative of Jewish Communists; discussion in the Central Committee of the Czechoslovakian Communist Party; contact with Gorzansky, the Israeli representative; positive attitude of Gottwald, Slansky and Geminder; apprehension on the part of Reicin; arms and training; recruitment of volunteers; assistance of the Eretz Israel Office; appointment of Czechoslovakian Colonel Sochor (Hero of the Soviet Union) commander of the brigade; plans for industrial aid to Israel; transports of troops to Israel, including the witness; fear of Communist infiltration; change in command; controversies over political and strategic aspects; disbanding of the brigade; integration into civilian society; settlement of Kerem Maharal; return to Czechoslovakia; charged with being a Zionist supporter, imprisonment, 1952.