Voice/Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive

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Maximilian Kowler - April 26, 1984

Maximilian Kowler was born in Vienna, Austria. After the Anschluß, Max and his father escaped to Venice. Once his mother joined them in Italy, the family snuck over the Italian border into France and settled in Lyon as refugees. Max was involved with the French Boy Scouts until he joined the French Army. After a bicycle accident that left him hospitalized, Max and his parents went to Switzerland where they were placed in a refugee camp. After the war, Max moved back to France where he met and married his wife before moving his family to the United States.

1. Introduction
2. Sneaking into France
3. Fate of Family
4. Life in Lyon
5. Experiencing Anti-Semitism
6. Joining the French Army
7. Returning to Lyon
8. Thoughts on the French
9. Life in Vichy France
10. Hearing News of Treatment of Jews
11. Work During the War
12. Avoiding the Gestapo
13. Returning to Lyon After the War
14. Searching for Old Friends
15. Meeting French Rescuer
16. Being Hospitalized
17. Sneaking into Switzerland
18. Life in Switzerland
19. Resistance
20. Help from Gentiles
21. Help from Gentiles II
22. Work After the War
23. Politics
24. Fate of Parents and Life After the War
25. The Exodus
26. Sharing Story
27. Speaking About the Holocaust
28. Speaking About the Holocaust II
29. Sharing Story II
30. Memories
31. Klaus Barbie Trial
32. Conclusion