Testimony of Albert Avraham Meshulam, born in Sofia, Bulgaria, 1921, regarding his experiences in labor camps in Bulgaria

Testimony of Albert Avraham Meshulam, born in Sofia, Bulgaria, 1921, regarding his experiences in labor camps in Bulgaria Childhood in a secular yet somewhat traditional family, actively involved in Jewish and Christian community life. Anti-Jewish decrees, 1940; yellow badge; detention as a result of leaving Sofia; draft into Army labor force, 1941; labor paving roads; digging and building bridges in the Sestrimo camp, April 1941-November 1941 and in the Marikostino camp, February 1942-November 1942; life in Lovech, April 1944-July 1944; deportation of his parents from Sofia and staying with them while between camp assignments; the gendarmerie war against the partisans; return to parents' home in Kiustendil after disappearance of the guards, July 1944; liberation by the Red Army and return to Sofia. Escape from Bulgaria out of fear of detention for insulting Stalin and his regime; unsuccessful aliya attempt on the ship, "Bonim V'lochamim"; detention in Cyprus; escape from detention in Cyprus and infiltration into Eretz Israel by boat, 1948.