I was arrested with my father, aged almost 60, and taken to Zuchthaus A. by prison van, which took on more and more Jews on the way so that it finally became unbearably crowded. There we first had to stand for one and a half hours after we were greeted by SS men with the words, "There is the Judenpack!”. Then our interrogation took place during which we were insulted in the most unheard-of way. A somewhat hard-of-hearing fellow prisoner who did not answer a question correctly was poked so hard in his stomach with the sharp edge of a table at which he was being questioned that he slumped down before my eyes; another young man came bleeding to us in the cell after his questioning, two of his teeth were knocked out. We were then forced to stand to attention in the corridor, face to the wall for hours until we were led away. Further new prisoners came on Monday and Tuesday, so that finally we were 82 in areas for 35. Some had to sleep on the ground. When we were first taken into the hall, the SS man commanded, "Under the beds!" No consideration was taken of age, even 60- to 70-year-olds had to crawl under the beds and try to clean the space under the beds however difficult it was for them. Of course we were all addressed with “Du” [familiar form of “you”].

At 6 o’clock we had to rise, at 7 o’clock was Appell. Anyone who moved was slapped round the face. From Monday onwards marching exercises took place in the yard, alternating with Appell. At 6 o’clock we had to go to bed.

A Jewish fellow prisoner who made a comment unasked was given three days Arrest in a dark single cell in which there was merely a Pritsche and water and bread. During the entire period of our captivity it was impossible for us to wash ourselves or change our clothing.

I was freed after six days because my Auswanderungsvisum had arrived, my father after eleven days because he had a serious renal colic. On release we had to stand at attention again for four hours, and make a declaration that we would leave Germany by 30.11. On release at the same time it was explained to us that Halb-arier brought up as Christians, community officials, teachers, rabbis etc., war-wounded, fathers of more than three children, owners of businesses with more than eight Aryan employees, and of such businesses the Arisierung of which would be completed by 1st January, as well as front-line soldiers with decorations, were preferred for release.

My mother had not received any news at all about our whereabouts, so that she was in constant worry and agitation until my return.