Episode Eight:
This episode begins with the voice of Leon Greenman, describing his first night in Auschwitz Birkenau, when he first shared a bunk with Eddy Hamel. The two men survived that night, and quickly became friends. But their friendship would not last. One man was sent to his death. The other survived.
Here is the letter written by Leon Greenman to Ajax of Amsterdam, informing the club of their lost star player, Eddy Hamel. Leon signed all his letters the same way:
"Leon Greenman, Auschwitz survivor 98288."
Photo: J. McGough. All rights reserved. Do not download or redistribute without permission.
The official record of death for a set of prisoners whose family names ranged from Hamburger to Hamel. Eddy appears midway down (red arrow). His date of death is officially 30 April 1943, but he was likely murdered earlier in the month of April. When an exact date of death wasn't know, the book-keepers entered the last day of the month.
Here is the letter Leon sent me in 2002, agreeing to meet with me and Menno Pot at his home in London in 2002. There is so much to admire about this letter. Leon was a tough, no nonsense individual. He mildly chastises me for my poor handwriting, and also warned me that, although he agreed to meet with us, schoolchildren came first. If there was a conflict, we would have to wait. I love everything about this letter. Including the typos. Especially the typos.
Photo: J. McGough. All rights reserved. Do not download or redistribute without permission.
