Leo Bretholz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leo Bretholz
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| Born | March 6, 1921 |
| Died | March 8, 2014 (aged 93) |
| Spouse(s) | Florine Cohen (m. 1952–2009; her death) |
| Children | Three |
Leo Bretholz (March 6, 1921 – March 8, 2014) was an amazing person who survived the Holocaust. The Holocaust was a terrible time when millions of Jewish people were persecuted and killed. In 1942, Leo made a brave escape from a train that was going to Auschwitz, a very dangerous camp. He even wrote a book about his experiences called Leap into Darkness. Leo was incredibly brave, escaping seven times during the Holocaust.
Contents
Leo Bretholz: A Story of Survival
Early Life and First Escapes
Leo Bretholz was born in Vienna, Austria, on March 6, 1921. His father, Max, was a tailor who had moved from Poland. His mother, Dora, was a seamstress, also from Poland. Leo had two younger sisters, Henny and Edith.
In March 1938, Austria became part of Germany. This event was called the Anschluss. Many of Leo's relatives were arrested. His mother insisted that Leo leave for his safety. He took a train to Trier, Germany, where a smuggler helped him.
Leo swam across the Sauer River into Luxembourg. He stayed in a monastery for five nights. Two days later, he was arrested in a coffee shop. He chose to be sent to the Belgian border instead of being arrested or sent back to Germany.
On November 11, 1938, Leo arrived in Antwerp, Belgium. He lived peacefully there for about 18 months. He went to a trade school to become an electrician. This helped him avoid being sent to an internment camp, which was a place where people were held against their will. During this time, he learned to speak Dutch.
Daring Escapes and Resistance
On May 9, 1940, Leo went to a hospital for surgery. But the next morning, Antwerp was bombed. He was discharged and then arrested as an "enemy alien." Because Austria was now part of Germany, Leo was seen as an enemy by Belgium. He was sent to St. Cyprien, an internment camp near the Spanish border.
His friend Leon Osterreicher visited him and told him how to escape. Leo climbed under the camp's fence and got out. He stayed with distant relatives nearby. Later, he was sent to live in Cauterets, France, near the Pyrenees Mountains.
In August 1941, people started being deported from Cauterets. "Deported" means they were forced to leave. The mayor warned Leo, and he hid with his uncle in the Pyrenees overnight. When he returned, half the people were gone.
In October 1942, Leo and his cousin Albert Hershkowitz tried to walk across the Swiss border. They used false names. But a Swiss mountain patrol stopped them and sent them back to France. Leo was sent to the Rivesaltes internment camp. After two weeks, he was moved to Drancy, a large camp near Paris where people were gathered for deportation.
On November 5, 1942, Leo was put on a train with 1000 others. The train was going to Auschwitz. Leo and his friend Manfred Silberwasser bravely escaped through a window. They jumped off the moving train. Two priests helped them, giving them train tickets to Paris. They also got new fake ID papers.
Leo was arrested again for leaving his assigned home. He spent nine months in prison. One month was in solitary confinement, meaning he was kept alone. He was released in September 1943. Then he was sent to Septfonds labor camp for a month.
In October 1943, Leo was taken to a train station in Toulouse. He was supposed to go to the Atlantic coast to build defenses. During a stop, he bent the bars of the train window. He climbed out and escaped into the city of Toulouse. His friend Manfred sent him new fake papers.
Leo joined a Jewish Resistance Group called "Compagnons De France" or "La Sixieme." This group fought against the persecution. Being part of it allowed him to travel more freely in France. He was sent to Limoges, a city in south-central France.
In May 1944, Leo collapsed in a park. He was taken to a hospital for surgery. After 17 days, he rejoined the underground movement. He stayed in Limoges until January 19, 1947, when he left on a ship for New York.
Life After the War
On January 29, 1947, Leo moved to Baltimore, Maryland, with his aunt and uncle. He quickly found work as a handyman. He worked in textiles and traveled around the Mid-Atlantic region. He moved into his own apartment with a friend.
In November 1951, he met Florine Cohen. They got married in July 1952. Leo and Florine had three children: Myron, Denise, and Edie.
In 1962, Leo received sad news. He learned that his two sisters and mother had been deported to Auschwitz in April 1942. He had not heard from them since then. After this, he started speaking publicly about his experiences during the war.
In 1968, he started a retail book business. He lived in the Netherlands with his family for two years. He also co-wrote his autobiography, Leap into Darkness, with Michael Olesker. Leo Bretholz appeared in two documentary films: Survivors Among Us and See You Again Soon.
Leo Bretholz lived in Pikesville, Maryland, until he passed away in 2014. He often spoke at events like the annual Holocaust Remembrance Project and at many schools. He shared his story to teach others about the Holocaust.
Fighting for Justice
Before he died, Leo Bretholz fought for justice from SNCF. This was the French train company that transported Jewish people to Nazi concentration and death camps. He wanted them to pay for their part in the terrible events.
A lawsuit was filed against the company, but it was not heard by the Supreme Court. So, the case ended. When his home state of Maryland planned a new high-speed train line, Leo spoke out. He testified in the state government. He argued against letting SNCF bid on the project because of their past actions.
