Joseph Berkowitsch

Joseph Berkowitsch, of Russian origin, moved from Cologne to Brussels in 1927. He started work as an office clerk, before being promoted to the post of sales representative. Joseph travelled to southern Europe when the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) broke out, and enlisted in the International Brigades to fight Franco’s nationalists. He returned to his parents’ house in Ostend in 1939, and was residing in the city when the occupation of Belgium began. Joseph moved permanently to Paris the following year. He was detained during the large-scale raid on 16 and 17 July 1942, most probably held at the Vélodrome d’Hiver and then transferred to Drancy. Joseph Berkowitsch (29) was deported on 27 July 1942 via Transport 11 to Auschwitz-Birkenau. On arriving at the camp, the number 53850 was tattooed on his arm. Joseph was then put to work at the Golleschau sub-camp. He survived deportation and was liberated at Dachau in 1945.