Transport from Konstanz, Konstanz (Karlsruhe), Baden, Germany to Gurs, Camp, France on 22/10/1940

According to post-war lists, a total of 422 people were deported from Konstanz and the surrounding areas (108 from the city and 314 from the localities of Bohlingen, Gailingen, Hilzingen, Radolfzell, Randegg, Tiengen, Überlingen, Waldshut, and Wangen). According to the testimony given Berty Friesländer-Bloch, a survivor from Gailingen, the Jews from Konstanz and other localities were first brought to Singen am Hohentwiel. The deportees from Konstanz apparently underwent registration there and arrived in Singen by train. Jews from other localities – including Friesländer-Bloch – were taken by truck. Those who arrived in Singen by this means were taken to the Scheffelhalle assembly site (a local events venue). There, they were registered by the Gestapo. Shortly after, they were taken by truck to the Singen railway station in broad daylight in front of the local population. There they were joined by the Jews from Konstanz and loaded onto a train. The train then traveled towards the Northwest, passing through Donaueschingen, Villingen, and Offenburg. In each of these communities, other local Jews were added to the transport. The train then continued through Freiburg, Breisach, Kolmar, and Mülhausen where it crossed into occupied French territory. Before they crossed the former border, the deportees had to exchange their German currency for French Francs. The train then continued through Montreux-Vieux, Besançon, and Dijon to Chalon-sur-Saône where it left occupied France. Once in Vichy territory, the transport followed the regular route through Lyon, Avignon, Toulouse, and Pau to its final destination in Oloron-Sainte-Marie. There, the deportees were transferred to trucks once more and transferred to the Gurs camp.