Events during house expropriations in Fürth.

One of the first to be called about handing over their house was Herr T. with his wife. They were taken to the Rathaus at 11 o’clock at night and there told the reason why they had been made to come. There were a few other Jews there in the same situation.

Herr T. is 72, his wife 62 years old. They were taken into the cellar of the Rathaus and initially had to dig over heaps of sand for a while, during which they were tormented with such remarks as “Now you see, you Jew, what it is to work, you’ve done nothing all your life", to which Herr T. replied “I’ve probably done more than you.” Reply: “Yes, probably buried some old Jew in the cemetery.”

After the digging the couple were placed on the sand piles and beaten with steel rods on the behind so badly that they were suffering from the injuries for five weeks. The husband was held down by his ear so firmly that it tore; he had to leave behind the completely bloodied handkerchief with which he wiped the blood away. The wife fainted after the severe mistreatment. They gave her Hofmann drops [spirit of ether].

The couple were allowed to go back to their home at 4 o’clock in the morning, obviously after they had previously agreed to the sale. The husband, having asked once again whether he could think things over a little received in reply “Yes, five minutes,” and when he then asked “And what then?” the answer was “Then you go back into the cellar.” Obviously he then consented straight away. On their release they were both threatened with death if they told anyone their experience that night.

Afterwards the wife had a nervous breakdown which kept her in bed for weeks and required the attendance of a nerve specialist.