Esther Raab

Born 1922, Chelm, Poland

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. In December 1942, Esther was deported from a work camp to the Sobibor killing center in occupied Poland. Upon arrival at Sobibor, Esther was selected to work in a sorting shed. She sorted clothing and possessions of those who were killed at the camp. During the summer and fall of 1943, Esther was among a group of prisoners in the Sobibor camp who planned an uprising and escape. Leon Feldhendler and Sasha Pechersky were leaders of the planning. The revolt took place in mid-October 1943. German and Ukrainian guards opened fire on the prisoners, who were unable to reach the main gate and thus had to try to escape through the minefield around the camp. About 300 escaped. Of these, over 100 were recaptured and shot. Esther was among those who escaped.

Describes preparations for the uprising in Sobibor.

Chaim Engel

Born 1916, Brudzew, Poland

In 1939, as Chaim's tour in the Polish army was nearing its scheduled end, Germany invaded Poland. The Germans captured Chaim and sent him to Germany for forced labor. As a Jewish prisoner of war, Chaim later was returned to Poland. Ultimately, he was deported to the Sobibor camp, where the rest of his family died. In the 1943 Sobibor uprising, Chaim killed a guard. He escaped with his girlfriend, Selma, whom he later married. A farmer hid them until liberation by Soviet forces in June 1944.

Recalls the Sobibor uprising and his escape from the camp. [Testimony 1 of 2]

Chaim Engel

Born 1916, Brudzew, Poland

In 1939, as Chaim's tour in the Polish army was nearing its scheduled end, Germany invaded Poland. The Germans captured Chaim and sent him to Germany for forced labor. As a Jewish prisoner of war, Chaim later was returned to Poland. Ultimately, he was deported to the Sobibor camp, where the rest of his family died. In the 1943 Sobibor uprising, Chaim killed a guard. He escaped with his girlfriend, Selma, whom he later married. A farmer hid them until liberation by Soviet forces in June 1944.

Describes plans for the Sobibor uprising. [Testimony 2 of 2]

Chaim Engel

Tomasz (Toivi) Blatt