Seven Dwarfs

       More Letters From Paradise
             Seven Dwarfs

While looking at the books on the Sale table, I came upon a copy of "Giants," by Yehudi Koren and Eilat Negev, published in 2013. It's sub-title "The Dwarfs of Auschwitz." As a history major and teacher I was very interested, and it was only eight bucks.

I had read a great deal about the slaughter of European Jews, and once visited Dachau concentration camp, and I felt that I knew a great deal about the most famous death camp Auschwitz. But I never knew about the dwarfs of Auschwitz.

Ten children were born to the Ovitz family in the tiny village of Rozalaea, Hungary. Seven of the ten children were dwarfs. This Orthodox Jewish family became known as the "Lilliput Troupe." They were actors, singers, and dancers, and they performed all over Eastern Europe in the 1930's and 40's.

Touring came from an end in 1944, when they were shipped on a transport of 3,500 Jews to the death camp Auschwitz. Upon arrival selection began. Women, children and babies to the left, and men to the right. All of those on the left were soon killed in the gas chambers. Those men on the right were again selected, weak or old men were sent to their death. The remaining ones were tattooed, shaved of all body hair, showered with cold water, issued striped clothing, and became slave labor. Fewer than 400 men were left of the original 3,500 Jews.    

The railroad platform was empty, with only the dwarf family remaining.Dr. Joseph Mengele, the "Angel of Death," obsessed with eugenics, was sent for. He was delighted, here was a whole family he could use to test test his racial theories. The family members all underwent the painful process of being tattooed on their left forearm, and were housed in a special section of a barracks.

From that time until their liberation by the Russian Army, they were daily subjected to medical tests of the most horrible kind. So much blood was so often drawn, causing the person to pass-out. Measurements were taken, photographs, X rays, bone marrow samples, boiling water poured in ears and frozen water also. Liquids applied to eyes, and eye lashes plucked. Day after day, living in fear that they too would be sent to the gas chambers. But strange to say, Dr. Mengele was fond of the dwarfs, and encouraged them to dress in their finest costumes. He fondled them as if they were pet dolls. And all the while asking about their family history, and drawing up a family tree.

One vivid memory recalled by the surviving member of the the troupe, Perla Ovitz, was when Dr. Mengele ordered them to dress in their best, and were taken by truck to a large hall where they were told to stand across the stage and undress before the assembled crowd. Dr. Mengele then pointed and prodded each person, while showing a large geology sheet.

Meanwhile the war was winding down, and the Russian Army was closing in. Bodies that had not yet been cremated were thrown into a huge hole, crematoriums were blown up in an attempt to cover up their crimes.

When liberated the Ovitz family were alive. Their survival was due to "through thick and thin, never separate, stick together, guard each other, and live for another."

After much difficulty the family returned home only to find that neighbors had looted their property, and refused to return stolen goods. The family had hidden some valuables and these were dug up. Nothing was left for them. And the only country welcoming them was Belgium. They resumed touring, but growing old, they split up, some going to America, and others to the new state of Israel.

Mengele fled to Argentina using the false name Helmut Gregor. In 1959 a warrant for his arrest was issued. In April 1960 Israeli secret agents found both Adolph Eichmann and Mengele, but it was thought that Eichman was the most important Nazi of the two, and Mengele escaped. Eichmann was brought to Jerusalem for trial and hanged.

Mengele moved to Brazil, using false identities.  Mengele's son, Rolf, issued a statement that on 7 February 1979, his father had suffered a stroke while swimming and had drowned. Mengele had been on the run for thirty years.

I could have written about the many cruel experiments conducted by Mengele, but I chose instead to try and focus on the Ovitz family.

     Aloha
     Grant