Books News
The story of the oldest living Holocaust survivor
| November 30, 2008 edition
By Isabelle de Pommereau
Correspondent
Frankfurt
Leopold Engleitner’s blue eyes still burn bright. Last month, the 103-year-old traveled to Frankfurt, from his home in Austria to tell his story at the world’s largest publishing event. Mr. Engleitner, a former farmer from the Salzburg region, is a Jehovah’s Witness.
And he is the oldest living survivor of the Holocaust.
At first no one seemed interested in the facts of his life, which included an unwavering faith and enduring internments in the Buchenwald, Wewelsburg, and Ravensbrueck camps run by German Nazis. Then a young Austrian filmmaker met Engleitner by chance and ended up listening to his stories for hours on end.
The filmmaker, Berhnard Rammerstorfer, was captivated by what he heard and eventually dropped everything he was doing to write Engleitner’s biography.
“What impressed me was that a simple farmer had the courage to withstand Hitler, to refuse to go to war although millions of people did go to war, that he had the strength to adhere to his own conscience,” says Mr. Rammerstorfer.
He first published “Unbroken Will: The Extraordinary Courage of an Ordinary Man,” in German in 1999. It was republished this year, and an English edition is scheduled to be released in 2009.
Walter Manoschek, a political scientist at the University of Vienna who has worked on a project sponsored by the Austrian government to rehabilitate Austrian victims of the Nazi regime, says that Engleitner’s story brings to life one of the least-known groups of Nazi victims that also included Gypsies, homosexuals, political prisoners, and the mentally and physically disabled.
A ‘systematic resistance’
Nazis targeted Jehovah’s Witnesses mainly because as religious conscientious objectors they eschew swearing an oath to any earthly authority and refused to serve in the German Army. Refusal to serve under Hitler was regarded as treason, punishable by death. Among the 3,200 Witnesses interned in concentration camps, thousands were killed, according to historians.
Unlike other groups – most notably, of course, millions of Jews – they could have walked out free had they agreed to renounce their faith.
“The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ systematic resistance as a collective group is something very unique,” says Professor Manoschek. “Most people [laugh] at the old-fashioned way in which they try to bring religion to people’s houses. But it’s important for people to know what happened to them during the Nazi time.”
Engleitner’s principles set him apart from others beginning early in his life.
As the son of a sawmill worker growing up in Bad Ischl, the “emperor’s village,” in the early 1900s, he and his schoolmates would often encounter Franz Joseph, the emperor, who vacationed there. The gap between the royal wealth and his own family’s poverty angered the young Engleitner.
After the effects of World War I had decimated his village he vowed never to fight in a war. To overcome hunger, he left school at 13, built a small house for himself, and eked out a living crafting skis, among other things. Later, his mistrust of established authority led him to abandon Catholicism and join the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
“People spat at me,” Engleitner says of the reaction to his adopted faith.
Soon after Germany annexed Austria in April 1938, the Gestapo tracked Engleitner down at a secret Bible-reading meeting. The SS men brandished a piece of paper in his face. It was a declaration that he agreed to renounce his faith and was willing to enlist in Hitler’s Army. Along with the document came a verbal threat.
“ ‘If you sign this paper, you can go home,’ ” Engleitner recounts. “ ‘If not, you’re under arrest, and you know what will happen to you.’ ”
Engleitner refused to sign.
“I wouldn’t take the easy way out,” Engleitner told the audience at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. His faith, he said, is what helped him not yield to pressure – and what kept him alive.
His sense of humor was also on display in Frankfurt when he recounted his dealings with Gestapo officials at the Buchenwald camp.
“ ‘Engleitner, Engleitner! I’m warning you for the last time!’ ” he said, mimicking the SS official. “ ‘If you continue to object to military service, then you already have both feet in the grave.’ ”
Engleitner’s reply elicited laughter from a rapt audience. “If I’ve already got both feet in the grave just standing here,” he said, “what on earth will it be like on the front line? Or do they shoot with candy out there?”
The “Little Austrian,” as the Nazis called him, did walk out of the camps four years later – but for a different reason: The Nazis had come to value the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ work ethics.
“If appropriate tasks are chosen, no supervision will be necessary, since they will not try to run away,” Heinrich Himmler wrote in 1943 about the Jehovah’s Witnesses, according to official documents cited in Engleitner’s biography. “They can be left to work on their own and will prove themselves the most efficient administrators and workers.”
A 65-lb. Engleitner was set free in exchange for promising to work in agriculture only. It wasn’t until the American forces intervened that Engleitner was able to get another job, in the roads department of St. Wolfgang, near Salzburg, where he continued working until he retired in 1969.
Life after the war wasn’t easy. “We [Jehovah’s Witnesses] were always treated as second-class citizens and lumped together with the work-shy and criminal elements,” Engleitner says.
His parents, he says, never accepted his religion. Few seemed to care about his triumph.
“He tried to talk about his story, but no one listened,” says Rammerstorfer.
Rammerstorfer, too, had hurdles to overcome in retelling Engleitner’s story. When no publisher came forward, he published the book with his own money.
“In the face of our historical responsibility, I am sparing no effort to document the crimes of the Nazi regime,” he says.
But his real motive in writing the book was to share Engleitner’s ideals of tolerance, humanity, and respect for others.
That message wasn’t lost at the book fair in Frankfurt. “It’s a great lesson to feel it’s possible for a human being to be free inside when you’re oppressed,” says Svetlana Protsenko of Moscow, who had left her own stand at the fair to hear Engleitner talk.
“For people who have suffered from totalitarian regimes,” she says, “it’s important to … keep your beliefs, ideas, and moral standards.”
A transformative response
Today Engleitner experiences a new kind of response to his unwavering faith.
In St. Wolfgang, he became a bit of a local celebrity. The Austrian government, too, took notice, inviting him to tour schools and universities to share his story and talk about nonviolent resistance to oppression.
At 97, he undertook the 500-mile journey to speak to an audience in Wewelsburg, where he had been interned more than 50 years before.
And two years ago, Rammerstorfer and Engleitner toured the United States, drawing crowds at Columbia University in New York and at the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, among other places.
Although Engleitner says he is not bitter about all that he has endured, the honors he has received over the past few years have restored his faith in people.
“They transformed me from a persecuted, despised, concentration-camp internee and a cowardly conscientious objector to a completely rehabilitated man who is even regarded as an example to others,” he says.
“In the past, this would have been unthinkable,” Engleitner adds. “That people’s attitudes should change so dramatically is something I would never have believed possible.”
Comments
2. Ron C. | 12.01.08
Jehovah’s Witnesses although small in number were specifically targeted by Hitler as “enemies of the state” and also victims of the Jewish Holocaust as shown in the following link: http://isurvived.org/AUSCHWITZ_TheCamp.html. Those who did not survive the concentration camps were killed by various methods.
3. mike d | 12.01.08
Hitler himself said in his own words that he would exterminate the Witnesses. They were hunted specifically by the gestapo and put in the same concentration camps as everyone else. Witnesses do not minimize the suffering of other groups in the holocaust with semantics like you are trying to do. Obviously you are not knowledgeable on the subject and you should educate yourself freddy.
4. Sarah | 12.01.08
By definition….Holocaust or Shoah, the systematic killing of six million Jews, but also of Gypsies, Slavs, homosexuals and other “undesirable” groups in Europe during World War II. Jehovah’s Witnesses were murdered along side those of the Jewish faith. It is estimated that 6000 witnesses died during the holocaust (in and outside the gas chamber). The number is small in comparison to the Jews…but is that really the point?
The fact is that the reporter is correct.
http://www.ushmm.org/education/resource/jehovahs/jehovahsw.php
5. Russ Freestone | 12.01.08
Interestingly, the United States Memorial Holocaust Museum gives prominent attention to the suffering Jehovah’s Witnesses endured during the Nazi era. Note the article about the Witnesses on their website.
6. kevin smullen | 12.01.08
hol⋅o⋅caust
/ˈhɒləˌkɔst, ˈhoʊlə-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [hol-uh-kawst, hoh-luh-] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a great or complete devastation or destruction, esp. by fire.
2. a sacrifice completely consumed by fire; burnt offering.
3. (usually initial capital letter) the systematic mass slaughter of European Jews in Nazi concentration camps during World War II (usually prec. by the).
4. any mass slaughter or reckless destruction of life.
{look at 4} so you see many didnt lose there lives but they lost the lifes they had everyone in that area at that time was effected by that abomination of that man Hitler in some destructive way.
7. Frederic Fuss | 12.01.08
The biography of Leopold Engleitner is a significant addition to the account of the Holocaust. Had there been more people with his courage and principles, there would have been no Holocaust.
He openly refused to accept the doctrines of Nazism, would not conform to its codes of conduct and did not even adopt its language. His presence in the forum of the discussions on the causes of and lessons learned from the Holocaust is huge and ought not to be diminished by quibbling over semantics.
I encourage all to read the book; then comment.
9. k | 12.01.08
some of the Jehvoah’s Witnesses were from Jewish families. Despite the nationality or origination of the sufferer - the suffering for all was greatly unecesary and undeniably cruel.
10. Jon Boyes | 12.01.08
I look forward to reading the book when it comes out in English. Something like this can happen again so we need to fortify our faith to endure such humane treatment. Thank-you very much for publishing his story.
11. cheryl gentles | 12.03.08
He is a survivor - at least we have one more person who can attest to the great atrocity that took place - we should in no way diminish that…
12. Mark | 12.04.08
The book “Unbroken Will” is already available in English and I can thoroughly recommend it. Also, may I recommend “Crucible of Terror” by Max Liebster. More information is available at http://www.crucibleofterror.com/
13. lise | 12.04.08
hol⋅o⋅caust /ˈhɒləˌkɔst, ˈhoʊlə-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [hol-uh-kawst, hoh-luh-] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a great or complete devastation or destruction, esp. by fire.
2. a sacrifice completely consumed by fire; burnt offering.
3. (usually initial capital letter) the systematic mass slaughter of European Jews in Nazi concentration camps during World War II (usually prec. by the).
4. any mass slaughter or reckless destruction of life.
Freddy Lejuene, your right and your wrong about what holocaust means many suffered it is not about numbers of people, or a persons moral beliefs or religon but about humanbeings period! Many so called undesirables were sent to those camps too and did died in the gas chambers by firing squads , and other horrible means there are many educational books on this issue I sugest you read some.
14. B. Berenson | 12.05.08
I support you, Fred Lejeune. We all have to be careful of imprecise language, ahistorical writing and Holocaust revisionism. The Witnesses were persecuted and they were starved and murdered after they rejected the German offer to renounce their religion. Their suffering was not genocide, because they were a religion and not a people linked by genetics; they were Germans, the reason they were treated so differently than were the Jews and the Roma.Very few Jews survived after 4 years in a concentration camp. And did the Germans kill his children, his extended family in a general roundup after living in a ghetto? Was he chased all over Europe? No. This story might be part of the Holocaust, but not the brutal and degrading one, whose goal was to empty Europe of Jews. The effort to present him as the “oldest Holocaust survivor” is an effort to rewrite the pervasive Jewish story of the Holocaust. Yes, the numbers of dead are the point, because it shows the goals of the Germans. Destroy the Jewish people, destroy the Witness leadership.Not exactly the same.
15. Nathan Schmitt | 12.06.08
Berenson…
“destroy the Witness leadership.” How is killing JW’s that are present in Nazi Germany destroying the leadership? It is killing JW’s that were unfortunate to be living in Nazi controlled country. The head of the Jehovah’s Witnesses resides in Brooklyn, New York. For you to say that the JW’s weren’t part of the Holocaust is disgusting.
16. G Morrison | 12.08.08
Is Freddy suggesting that, if there were no gas chambers, no-one would have been a victim of the holocaust?
17. Rob H | 12.09.08
To Freddy Legeune:
Little do you know that Jehovah’s Witnesses not only faced the gas chamber but faced special brutality at the hands of the SS. They were targeted with a purple triangle and were used for the most vile and inhumane tortures and medical experiments imaginable and could have escaped this fate simply by agreeing not to be Jehovah’s Witnesses and utter a **** Hitler. Your comment dishonors their memory and disgusts all who respect and highly admire their place in the Holocaust, history, and modern life. Perhaps you should do some research yourself… or maybe visit the Holocaust Museum…or maybe you could submit to some international organization that you would like the term “Holocaust” removed from the books…….PLease!!!
18. awilson | 12.16.08
yes, because we all know jews are the only people in the history of the world to undergo persecution and hardship…
19. Jeri Burelk | 12.17.08
I investigated this situation and discovered that most of the Jehovah’s witnesses were Germans. This was an embarrassment to Hitler so he vowed to exterminated. All they had to do was sign that card denouncing their faith and they would be freed. They would not do this. They renounced Hitlers cruel government. How many of us would have the courage to do this? Something to think about.
20. cheryl | 12.18.08
To Freddy LeJeune:
“To the best of your knowledge?” What you wrote is the best of your knowledge? U might better “knowledge up” boy. A little time in the library should suffice. U might look up HOLOCAUST!!! See what you can find on the subject.
21. Hans-J. Stoffels | 12.18.08
I knew some suvivors personally and as they were old they’ve finished their life meanwhile. But interesting that they got that old. To say, as one commenter, that the holocaust applies only on Jews is a shame to that person as others were not necessarily put into the gas chambers, but shot, hanged or beheaded. True, the followers of the Bible and Jehova God only had to sign a paper to leave the faith and got release, but most didn’t do that and as commented fell under the goal of distinction.
One I know told us that she worked more than others and the nazi guardians said: “Why are you standing here for work again although you did enough.” She replied that they would kill her if she did not prove to be a good worker due to one arm crippled. And that was true, not just jews were killed, but all that got unable or too ineffective to work. A shame to the Jews of this day if they want to draw that terrible part of history just on them and push away all others that suffered. True, they were the unbelievable much greater number, but not at all the only ones. Gypsies, communists, social democrats and all sorts of persons that didn’t fit the thoughts and goals of the nazi party got into trouble and death. Among these the Jehovah’s Witnesses. And a few priests who, due to their consciouns, did not follow their church’s accord and permissiveness as to Hitler’s goals.
22. Paul | 12.18.08
To Keep things nice and simple, here is what the Encarta Dictionary (UK) says about what the word Holocaust means: “the systematic extermination of millions of European Jews, as well as Roma, Slavs, intellectuals, gay people, and political dissidents, by the Nazis and their allies during World War II. In popular usage, Holocaust refers particularly to the extermination of European Jews”. At the end of the day, a lot of people suffered because of WW2, not just in Germany but also in other countries. I wonder if Freddy Lejeune would feel the same way if he had lived through that time and was mistreated as many were. Looking at Jehovah’s Witnesses, they were mistreated in many countries around the earth during WW2 because they would not join themselves to the armed forces and were politicaly neutral. Even to this day, as most of us have our comforts some of the Witnesses in parts of the former Soviet Union and Korea, as well as many other areas are undergoing terrible treatment because they want to stay neutral.
Of course, this happens to many other groups as well.
23. Amanda | 12.18.08
There is a difference between a victim and a martyr. Jehovah’s Witnesses were true martyrs. They suffered when they didn’t have to. They were, by and large, all German citizens and could easily have just formally denounced their religion and beliefs and said a simple “Heil Hitler” and would have been set free. What if the other religions had had this same courage and as a whole had taken the same stand as the JWs?
24. Suzanne | 12.18.08
One difference between the suffering of the Jews and that of Jehovah’s Witnesses is that the Jews were victims; the Witnesses were martyrs. The Jews had no choice but to be there and it is undisputable that many of them would have done whatever was asked of them to avoid the treatment they received. The Witnesses did have a choice - to renounce their faith and beliefs or face persecution - most chose the latter. This is an important distinction. It is also significant that because of their (Jehovah’s Wtnesses) stand they did not join Hitler’s forces in persecuting the Jews instead they chose to be persecuted along side them. It is for the same reason that Jehovah’s Witnesses in every country refuse to participate in the wars of any nation. They love their neighbors and obey god as ruler rather than men.
25. Send me I will clear it up! | 12.18.08
Jehovah’s Witness Leadership is not in Brooklyn NY!
It is in Heaven!
ps 83:18
26. Cherry | 12.18.08
The real point is Jehovahs Witnesses died for NO REASON!
Just like the Jews.
They all suffered!
She is the oldest one living.. she should tell her story!
She probaly seen a lot of people dieing…
JEWS and JEHOVAHS WITNESSES!
children, women ,virgins, old man ,young man, by all methods.
I want to read it and buy it .
We all should and maybe ..just maybe WE
will learn s SOMETHING!
27. kevin h. bingham | 12.23.08
Kevin henry bingham
I must say that was a very encouraging experience and being one of jehovah’s witnesses myself it is true jehovah exacts exclusive devotion and as his chosen people we are under obligation to give it.
28. John | 12.26.08
Freddy is technically correct. The term “Holocaust” does technically refer to the systematic extermination of the Jews by the Nazi regime.
Jehovah’s Witnesses were viciously persecuted by the Nazis. But the purpose behind the persecution was to get them to change their behavior not to exterminate Jehovah’s Witnesses. That’s why Jehovah’s Witnesses were martyrs. They could have escaped persecution if they had changed their behavior and conformed to Nazi standards. But commendably many did not and chose to suffer for their commitment to principle.
The Jews on the other hand hand no choice, no matter what their behavior was they were targeted for destruction. All Jews were to be eliminated.
So technically it would have been better to call Leopold Engleitner the oldest Concentration Camp survivor. But I don’t think the the writer was trying to play down the Jewishness of the Holocaust as one commenter suggested above. It’s just the use of less than precise language by a reporter who was covering a book fair.
29. Sherri | 01.26.09
On October 7, 1934 speaking to Dr. Wilhelm Frick in Berlin, regarding Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hitler stated, “This brood will be exterminated in Germany!” So sad but true, just like the Jews (and onviously other “undesirables” Hitler’s mission was to exterminate the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
30. Kevin W. Bingham | 01.28.09
Either way, those who suffered any type of persecution in the concentration camps must be counted among the Holocaust victims. This is one event in history where picking hairs on terms pales in comparison to the atrocity of Hitler’s crime. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses I see the Nazi actions as an attack on humanity, and that is something that Jehovah will not tolerate.
31. Jackie | 08.07.09
It would be interesting to hear how the Jehovah’s Witnesses were persecuted in the US as well as other countries during the wars for their consciencious objective belief.
32. aris | 10.14.09
I agreed that all of us whether we are witnesses or Jews whatever religion we had is that we are the victims of the war not only the crippled, gays and lesbians but everyone and the entire world……….specially the innocent people, lets work together; share our knowledge to the young generation so that they may too know that it’s not the fight of who was the victim was but a fight of everybody to encourage people and enlightening them by sharing our experiences specially the old one who is fading in oblivion of the past the victims of the holocaust caused by the Nazi regime…….though most of them are persecuted just because of their religion and humiliating let’s fight to not happen it again..
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1. JW Brothers News » Blog Archive » Leopold Engleitner, 103 anos, A história do mais velho sobrevivente ainda vivo do Holocausto (The story of the oldest living Holocaust survivor ) | 12.07.08
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1. Freddy Lejeune | 11.30.08
He is a survivor of concentration camps, but not of the Holocaust. The Holocaust is the term generally in i use ro describe the exterminatiion of Jews because theywere Jews. No Jehovah Witness, to the best of my knowledge, was ever targeted for the gas chamber. The use of the termn “Holocaust” is incorrect and your reporter ought to be educated on that. Obviously she is not knowledgeable on the subject.