Testimony of Shmuel Erez, born in Vienna, Austria, 1928, regarding his experiences in Vienna, Bratislava and en route to Eretz Israel

Testimony of Shmuel Erez, born in Vienna, Austria, 1928, regarding his experiences in Vienna, Bratislava and en route to Eretz Israel His childhood in Vienna. German occupation, 1938; termination of studies in a Christian school. Kristallnacht, November 1938; eviction from their home and life with relatives in overcrowded conditions; deterioration of the economic situation after his father is unable to work; witness' education, until June 1939; contact with the Eretz Israel Office, late 1939; legal departure to Bratislava with approximately 1,000 other people; move to an abandoned factory and life in the factory for nine months; hospitalization in a Jewish hospital and life with a Jewish family in the city; travel on river boats with approximately 3,000 other people, September 1940; transfer to the "Pacific" ship; travel for two months via Bulgaria to Haifa; transfer to the "Patria" ship, its explosion and their rescue; seven months in Atlit detention camp. Absorption in Eretz Israel.