Testimony of Marcel Samokovlija, born in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, 1922, regarding his experiences in the Yugoslavian Army, deportation to Brac Island and Rab camp, and combat with the partisans

Testimony of Marcel Samokovlija, born in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, 1922, regarding his experiences in the Yugoslavian Army, deportation to Brac Island and Rab camp, and combat with the partisans Life before the war; displays of antisemitism by children. Draft into the Yugoslavian Army because he has a driver's license, 1941; role as driver for army officers, from Sarajevo to Montenegro; travel to Split, under Italian occupation; receives forged documents from a Jewish group; steals coupons to buy food; joins a Communist organization; deportation to Brac island together with Jewish emigrants who had been under Italian occupation; transfer to a family camp on Rab island, 1942; camp life; contact with the Communist underground; policemen flee the camp after the surrender of Italy, September 1943; arrival of the partisans to the camp and coordination of inmates into military units; evacuation of the inmates to the liberated area of Yugoslavia; life with the partisans; witness’ role as a driver of food and ammunitions trucks and later as a tank driver during battles. Travel to Italy for studies, 1944; return to Yugoslavia, escort by British ships; participation in battles including the battle for the liberation of Zagreb; displays of antisemitism by partisans and Communists. Military service until 1947; aliya to Israel following the Yugoslavian war, 1992.