Oskar Schindler
"When you go inside the building, you'll find soup and bread waiting for you.
You have nothing more to worry about. You're with me now."
-Oskar Schindler
Source: Oskar Schindler
You have nothing more to worry about. You're with me now."
-Oskar Schindler
Source: Oskar Schindler
resistance
Oskar Schindler was a business man, constantly seeking wealth. In one attempt, Schindler became a spy for the Nazis. Through this job he saw how the Nazis were truly treating the Jews and he didn't like it. His espionage job stationed him in Poland where he gained a great network of connections with several high-ranking Nazi officials. Through this network, Schindler was able to buy a factory, and later a sub camp in which his workers would make weaponry. Schindler began asking for Jews, originally from Krakow Ghetto, to come work in his factory. Schindler made these labor camps a sanctuary for "his" Jews. He did this for five years.
"To me it was unbelievable: a Nazi with the party lapel pin, but no gun or uniform. I said, 'Who is that man?'"
-a Schindlerjuden Source: Oskar Schindler |
"Us he treated with respect, like a gentleman."
-a Schindlerjuden Source: Oskar Schindler |
"By Schindler, we were hungry, but not starving. We were cold, but not freezing. We had fear, but we were not beaten."
-a Schindlerjuden Source: Oskar Schindler |
results
"My children, you are saved. Germany has lost the war."
-Oskar Schindler
Source: Oskar Schindler
-Oskar Schindler
Source: Oskar Schindler
When WWII ended, the camps were liberated and everyone released. Schindler had no where to go. He was wanted by the Nazis for his courtesies towards the Jews and wanted by the Allies for running a slave-labor camp. Schindler's only chance was to run to the Americans, pretend to be a Jew, and hope they accepted him. Schindler and his wife left in the "striped pajamas" with a jeep full of things they could sell or exchange to secure safe passage. They made it to the Americans with nothing.
They later were sent to Argentina with money to start over. Schindler started a nutria ranch to sell fur. However, he disliked the farming and eventually the farm went bankrupt. Later, Schindler returned to Frankfurt, Germany, to start over again, however he was alone with nothing. Except, for his Schindlerjuden, (the Jews he saved) who took care of him until he died on October 9, 1974.