User:Judebedel

Roland Epsztein

During World War II, and after sheltering his parents and his sister in the Italian zone, Roland Epstein joins the Youth Zionist Group formed by Mila Racine and Tony Gryn to organize crossings at the Swiss border.

On September 15, 1943, he made his first appearance with Sacha Racine, Mila's sister, and Maurice Maidenberg. The children cross the city of Annemasse as a summer camp and are handed over to an appointed smuggler. After several passages, they are forced to change smugglers and places. October 21, 1943, Roland Epstein is arrested with Mila Racine by the German customs in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois. They are interned at Pax prison in Annemasse. Simon Lévitte and Emmanuel Racine can visit them thanks to the intervention of the Mayor of Annemasse, Jean Deffaugt * (recognized in 1966 Just among the Nations), before their transfer to Fort Montluc. Deported on January 17, 1944 in Buchenwald, then to Dora, Roland Epstein arrives at the end of April 1945 in Ravensbrück after the March of the death.

He was freed by the Soviets, but two days later arrive the Americans who repatriate him to France on May 15, 1945. After the "obligatory passage" to the Lutétia hotel, he finds his family