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Wiener Library

Gurs and other French concentration camps: reports and correspondence

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 1556 WL 1072

Held at: Wiener Library

Title: Gurs and other French concentration camps: reports and correspondence

Date(s): 1940-1941

Level of description: Collection level

Extent: 1 file

Name of creator(s): Unknown

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

Gurs was a major internment camp in France, near Oloron-Sainte-Marie, 80 kilometers from the Spanish border. Established in 1939 to absorb Republican refugees from Spain, Gurs later served as a concentration camp for Jews from France and refugees from other countries. While under the administration of Vichy France (1940-1942) most non-Jewish prisoners were released and approximately 2000 Jews were permitted to emigrate. In 1941 Gurs held some 15,000 prisoners. The camp was controlled by the Germans from 1942 to 1944, during which time several thousand inmates were deported to extermination camps in Poland. An unknown number succeeded in escaping and reaching Spain or hiding in Southern France. Gurs was liberated in the summer of 1944.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers of Gurs and other French concentration camps, 1940-1941, include reports and correspondence relating to conditions in Gurs and other French concentration camps, many from former inmates. Reports notably include 'Reports from occupied and unoccupied France' (WL1072/5) and '4000 in Not taube Hilfsorganisationen' (WL1072/11), describing conditions in Saint-Cyprien internment camp and correspondence includes a copy letter from the Archbishop of Toulouse, Jules Saliege (1072/9), and letters from inmates.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: French, English and German

System of arrangement:

Chronological

Conditions governing access:

Open

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids:

Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

M. Schneeberger, in 1989.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

WL 758

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Entry compiled by Howard Falksohn.