Item 20: Holocaust survivors from Hungary ; Elizabeth Goldsmith interviewed by Susan Koenig, 1991

MLOH 500/150-151

item

05/01/1991

Nonmusical Sound Recordings, Oral Histories

997315

Sound Recording : CY MLOH 500/150-151

2 sound cassettes (2 hrs.)

Elizabeth Goldsmith, nee Nandor, was born in Mosonmagyarovar, Hungary, in 1918. Her father converted in 1919 and raised his children as Presbyterians. Anti-Jewish laws were passed in Hungary in 1938 and Elizabeth's family were classified as Jewish. Her father lost his job and the family were moved to a Jewish designated house.

In October 1944, following a call-up of women aged less than 48, Elizabeth and her sister joined a forced march to a labour camp near the Russian border. They were guarded by the Hungarian Arrow Cross and the police. They were set to work digging trenches. As the Russians approached, the group were marched west to the Austrian border. Elizabeth escaped with her sister as they passed through Magyarovar and they took the train back to Budapest.

In Budapest Elizabeth was hidden by the caretaker of her family's former apartment. She was called up again for the labour corps, but was released because she had a Swedish passport, previously obtained for her by her mother. She and her family found refuge in a Swedish house.

In January, 1945 Elizabeth and her family were forced into the Jewish ghetto by the Arrow Cross but liberated by the Russians after 10 days. Elizabeth lived in Hungary until 1948, when her brother sent a permit which enabled her to come to Australia.

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Log of interview available in the Mitchell Library Reading Room -

Original Mitchell Library allocated tape number 78.