Martin Aaron

Martin relates his experience of being liberated from the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany in April 1945. Martin Aaron was born April 21, 1929, in Teresva, Czechoslovakia. Growing up in the nearby Jewish community of Sapanta, Romania, Martin recalls experiencing antisemitism, which intensified after Hungary annexed the area in 1940. In 1944, the Hungarians and Germans forced Martin, his parents, and five siblings to move into the Tacovo ghetto before they were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Upon arrival, Martin was separated from his parents and four of his siblings, who were murdered there. He remained in Auschwitz-Birkenau for one month before he was sent on a forced march, first to Bunzlau and then on to Nordhausen and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps. After being liberated by the British Army from Bergen-Belsen, Martin spent time in two displaced persons’ camps, finally leaving for the United States in March 1948. In the United States, Martin worked as a tailor and served the United States Army in Korea. At the time of his interview in 1997, Martin was married with three children and two grandchildren.

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