0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- 888- - 888
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- 888
0:00:18 > 0:00:20- 888
0:00:23 > 0:00:28- Germany
0:00:33 > 0:00:37- We've been to Germany a few times - to visit members of the family.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- But the years just fly by.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44- We must remind ourselves...
0:00:45 > 0:00:50- ..of the events and suffering - which occurred during World War II.
0:00:51 > 0:00:57- We need to realize how critical that - generation was to our family story.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- This time, - we're specifically going to see...
0:01:10 > 0:01:12- ..Ravensbruck concentration camp.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19- It is where my grandmother died.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- She was probably killed.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- I think the time my grandmother - spent at Ravensbruck...
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- ..was utterly harrowing.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45- I think any findings in Germany - will be hard.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- You're talking about your family.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- Although - I didn't know them personally...
0:01:51 > 0:01:55- ..you're talking about - close blood relatives.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00- The circumstances - which they had to cope with...
0:02:00 > 0:02:05- ..is beyond comprehension.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11- I know my grandfather - tried to find out...
0:02:11 > 0:02:14- ..what exactly happened - to my grandmother there...
0:02:15 > 0:02:17- ..but he never got the whole story.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- But at least we can go - to remember her...
0:02:21 > 0:02:26- ..to remember how she suffered more - than any other member of the family.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- I'm not looking forward - to finding out more...
0:02:31 > 0:02:34- ..because it's easier not knowing.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38- It's far easier to close the door - and not think about it...
0:02:38 > 0:02:42- ..rather than uncovering facts...
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- ..which could be painful, - especially for Dad.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- It's important for us to remember...
0:02:50 > 0:02:55- ..but we must also pass on - information to future generations.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- We must be aware - of our family history...
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- ..as well as the history - of the 20th Century.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- Swansea
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- Over the past ten years - since the death of my mother...
0:03:23 > 0:03:27- ..I've started sifting through - hundreds of documents and letters...
0:03:27 > 0:03:29- ..which belong to the family.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33- I've tried to fill the gaps - and to find out more...
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- ..about what happened - to family members during the war.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- My mother and grandmother - shared the same name.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- My grandmother in Germany - was called Kathe Bosse...
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- ..and Mam's name - was Kate Bosse-Griffiths.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- She was forced to flee from Germany - before the war.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57- I have very fond memories of Oma - - my grandmother who lived in Swansea.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- We'd have Sunday lunch at Oma's.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- She'd prepare a German feast - for us every Sunday.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- I was aware at a young age she was - different from other grandmothers.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- I was always aware she was German.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- I learnt German rhymes, - rhymes for the fingers and so forth.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- Her background was there - the whole time...
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- ..even though she never - talked about it with us directly.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- Back in the 1930s...
0:04:32 > 0:04:37- ..this journey between Berlin and - Wittenberg in north east Germany...
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- ..would've been one my grandmother, - or Oma, would've made many times.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- My mother - was fascinated by archaeology.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- She had a PhD in the subject.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- She'd started working - in the Egyptology department...
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- ..at the national museum in Berlin.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- Oma's mother, my great-grandmother, - Kathe Bosse...
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- ..married Paul Bosse in 1906 - and had four children.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- Paul Bosse was chief surgeon - at the hospital in Wittenberg.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17- The family lived a prosperous life - in Wittenberg.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- They were a part - of the upper middle class.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- Oma went skiing.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- They were Christians - and went to church in Wittenberg.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- But the family had Jewish ancestry.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33- That would eventually - change their lives forever.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- Paul Bosse - was apparently a strict father.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- He was a strong character - and a proud German.
0:05:50 > 0:05:56- He would've played his part - in World War I as a medic.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- He was awarded the Iron Cross...
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- ..and two other medals for his work - treating injured soldiers.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- He'd have been a part of - the German regime and proud of that.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- I also know - he attended the Olympic Games.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- This is from the 1936 Olympics - in Berlin.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20- Those were the Games in which Hitler - wanted to see white people...
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- ..gaining supremacy, - but that didn't happen.
0:06:23 > 0:06:29- To some extent, he may have - over-emphasized his German nature...
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- ..when he realized - that their Jewish ancestry...
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- ..could endanger him and his family.
0:06:44 > 0:06:50- The maiden name of Kathe Bosse, - Paul Bosse's wife, was Levin.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- Levin was the Jewish family name.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58- In their attempt - to become Germans and Christians...
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- ..the family changed their name - from Levin to Ledin.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- Many Jewish families across - the country changed their names...
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- ..to be more like local names.
0:07:11 > 0:07:17- They were a Christian family - and went to church in Wittenberg.
0:07:17 > 0:07:22- They hadn't practised the Jewish - faith for one or two generations.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- Kathe Bosse's - certificate of confirmation...
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- ..to the Christian faith - at the age of five is proof of this.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- They were a family which belonged - to the Lutheran church.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- My grandmother - was of Jewish descent...
0:07:49 > 0:07:54- ..but her parents - would've converted from Judaism...
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- ..to the Lutheran church.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05- The irony, of course, was although - they were Christians...
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- ..fifteen members of the family - were persecuted...
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- ..because of her Jewish ancestry.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- Hitler came to power in 1933.
0:08:19 > 0:08:25- One of the important laws to him - were the ones against the Jews.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws - restricted their rights...
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- ..and on the work - they were allowed to do.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- They weren't allowed - to hold public office.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- There were specific laws on marriage.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- Germans were prohibited - from marrying Jews.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- In time, the rights of Jews - became more and more restricted.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Ahnenpass. What was the Ahnenpass?
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- It was some sort of ancestry card.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- It was their duty to trace - their ancestors back six generations.
0:09:00 > 0:09:01- The main objective...
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- ..was to see if there was - any Jewish blood in the family.
0:09:08 > 0:09:14- We know that some Nazis - were hostile towards the family...
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- ..especially at the hospital.
0:09:16 > 0:09:22- One particular surgeon was totally - anti-Semitic towards the family.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- My grandfather - was ordered to leave his post.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31- He then founded his own hospital - at the family's home...
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- ..which was a great success.
0:09:35 > 0:09:36- What's that?
0:09:37 > 0:09:42- If you look closely, Greta, you can - see the names, Paul and Kathe Bosse.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- They're your great-great-grandmother - and great-great-grandfather.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- This is where they lived - and where the clinic started.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- Here we can see Hitler.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55- Paul Bosse is next to him.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- Hitler is shaking hands - with a patient.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- That happened in 1935 - when there was a fire...
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- ..at a munitions factory - near Wittenberg.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- Tens of people died - and hundreds were injured.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- Paul Bosse was praised for his work - treating the patients.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21- I'm sure he welcomed the visit...
0:10:21 > 0:10:26- ..that Hitler greeted him - and saw his work.
0:10:26 > 0:10:32- It gave him recognition - within the German order at the time.
0:10:35 > 0:10:41- We're specifically going back - to Wittenberg this time...
0:10:41 > 0:10:46- ..to see a small memorial which has - been placed outside the family home.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50- As a tribute, - some citizens of Wittenberg...
0:10:50 > 0:10:55- ..were eager to remember the Jews - who were killed in the war.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- They arranged a memorial - for my grandmother this year.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05- She was arrested in 1944, - sent to Halle prison...
0:11:06 > 0:11:09- ..and later sent to Ravensbruck.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- She was killed there - on December 16, 1944.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- It's wonderful that the local people - still remember the name Bosse.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- The name has been kept - for a brand-new hospital.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- Seeing his name on this hospital...
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- ..gives me a sense of pride - that the name lives on.
0:11:47 > 0:11:48- Hello.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- THEY SPEAK GERMAN
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- It was an honour to meet Renate.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01- She was a part of the effort - to establish memorials for Jews.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- Without knowing us, she's looked - into our family history...
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- ..has made every effort - to get to know us...
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- ..and is over the moon - that we've come here.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- I have brought something - to show you.
0:12:16 > 0:12:24- A memorial which was printed - in our local paper on December 16...
0:12:24 > 0:12:30- ..to remember your grandmother.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- 65 years - since the death of your grandmother.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- And now, another surprise.
0:12:37 > 0:12:48- We're going to meet Dr Senst, - a local historian in Wittenberg.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- As a patient, - he was treated by your grandfather.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- I know my grandfather - made every effort...
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- ..to find out - what happened to his wife.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- He only succeeded - in gleaning some information.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- That gap in our knowledge - is still with us.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12- That gap in our knowledge - is still in our thoughts.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- So my grandfather treated you?
0:13:22 > 0:13:28- Yes, in 1932 when I was 5 years old.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- Dr Senst - talked about a personal matter...
0:13:33 > 0:13:38- ..an incident which occurred when he - was a young boy - he severed a vein.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43- My grandfather treated him - and then called him the knife hero.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- A little humour - in the middle of it all!
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- Yes, the knife hero!
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- The knife hero!
0:13:54 > 0:13:59- It was nice to hear - that the family wasn't persecuted...
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- ..by members of the local community.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- Although the Gestapo - set up near the family...
0:14:07 > 0:14:12- ..with the intention of gathering - information against the family...
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- ..no-one betrayed them.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- That was great to hear, to know - that the family was well-respected.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21- I spoke to a group of women...
0:14:21 > 0:14:25- ..who survived - the Ravensbruck concentration camp.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- Some of them were Jews, - and they said...
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- .."We never thought of ourselves - as Jews.
0:14:33 > 0:14:39- "We are not Jews. - They made us Jews."
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- That's very relevant - to the story of your family.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- When your grandmother, - Kathe Bosse, was arrested...
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- ..she was imprisoned - first of all in Wittenberg.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- She was then sent to Halle...
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- ..and then Leipzig - for two to three days.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06- From Leipzig, she was transported - to Ravensbruck concentration camp.
0:15:09 > 0:15:15- I didn't know that she'd been moved - from Halle to Leipzig...
0:15:15 > 0:15:20- ..and was then transported - from Leipzig to Ravensbruck.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- That unexpected moment is difficult.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- The realization...
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- ..being in some way - part of the experience...
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- ..and thinking about it all...
0:15:36 > 0:15:37- ..can be difficult.
0:15:40 > 0:15:49- When a woman like Kathe Bosse - arrived at such a place...
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- ..there would've been - no hope for her.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- People always ask - - did she die or was she murdered?
0:15:58 > 0:16:08- The truth is, being forced to live - in those conditions is murder.
0:16:09 > 0:16:18- Being transported to Ravensbruck - in 1944 was certainly murder.
0:16:20 > 0:16:20- .
0:16:24 > 0:16:24- 888
0:16:24 > 0:16:26- 888- - 888
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- My mother was very interested - in archaeology.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- She had started working - in the Egyptology department...
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- ..at the national museum in Berlin.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- Quite soon after, - she lost her job there...
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- ..after someone disclosed - that she was of Jewish descent.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58- She didn't have much choice - after that.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Holding public office in Germany - was impossible.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- Consider what they had experienced...
0:17:06 > 0:17:10- ..in the years - since Hitler came to power.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- There were restrictions - on the family...
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- ..and restrictions - on what Jewish people could do.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19- There was no choice.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26- My grandmother came to Britain in - 1936, having escaped from Germany.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- She went to Scotland and to London - before going to Oxford...
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- ..where she met my grandfather, - J Gwyn Griffiths.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- They were both academics - and they fell in love.
0:17:37 > 0:17:43- They secretly married in 1939 and - initially settled in the Rhondda.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- Eventually, they had two sons...
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- ..Robat who runs Y Lolfa press - in Talybont and my father...
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- ..who has worked - for the Welsh language all his life.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- She obviously blossomed - during that period...
0:17:57 > 0:17:59- ..and threw herself into Welsh life.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- She immersed herself - in a new culture...
0:18:02 > 0:18:07- ..which provided her with an escape - from what had happened in Germany.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12- I think that - finding a new community...
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- ..of people like herself...
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- ..allowed her to throw herself...
0:18:19 > 0:18:21- ..into her new life in Wales.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- I think Wales - should be very proud...
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- ..of having welcomed - a refugee like my mother.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39- My mother was fortunately - given the opportunity...
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- ..to develop her interest - in archaeology and Egyptology...
0:18:43 > 0:18:45- ..when she came to Swansea.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- She was the archaeological curator - at the museum there.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- They acquired a vast collection - of relics.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57- My mother spent thirty years - cataloguing and labelling them.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59- It was quite detailed research work.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- What's lovely is that the girls - go to the museum in Swansea...
0:19:06 > 0:19:08- ..and they do exactly...
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- ..what Oma - would have wished them to do.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16- They can take part in the museum - - touch things and make things.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- It's nice to think how happy - Oma would have been to see them...
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- ..enjoying the museum.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- Mam didn't talk much.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35- She would talk about Germany - - relatives would come to stay.
0:19:36 > 0:19:42- But I think she was very typical - of those who suffered during the war.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44- They couldn't talk about it.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50- It's very common - for fifty years to go by...
0:19:50 > 0:19:54- ..before people - can start thinking about it.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- It's too emotional.
0:19:57 > 0:20:03- It's impossible to talk or think - about such horrific experiences.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- It's difficult to say...
0:20:08 > 0:20:13- ..whether she found it too difficult - to talk about her past.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- Obviously, - she had started a new life.
0:20:16 > 0:20:22- Perhaps she had closed the door - on a lot of those feelings...
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- ..and suffered in silence.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- Who knows?
0:20:29 > 0:20:35- Obviously, she'd been hurt - beyond all comprehension.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40- How can you talk - about feelings like that?
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- Especially with grandchildren.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- Perhaps it's something - people just don't talk about.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- Perhaps it was easier - for her not to talk about it.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- During the war, - sending letters was impossible.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- Six years, I think, went by...
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- ..before she was able - to write a letter to her father.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- She lived through the war - not knowing what was happening.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- Things went from bad to worse - for the family in Wittenberg.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- The Nazis confiscated - Kathe Bosse's possessions.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21- Her brother, Hans, - who was a solicitor, was arrested...
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- ..and sent to - the Buchenwald concentration camp.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- Kathe Bosse's sister, Eva, - killed herself...
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- ..in order to save her husband's - military career.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36- Kathe's daughter, Dolly, was no - longer allowed to work as a doctor.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- Her sons, Fritz and Gunther, - were thrown out of the Wehrmacht.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47- All because one member of their - family was of Jewish descent...
0:21:47 > 0:21:49- ..my grandmother, Kathe Bosse.
0:21:52 > 0:21:58- Later, there were again some letters - between my mother and Paul Bosse.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02- In one letter, - he regrets the fact...
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- ..that his wife didn't go with - my mother to England at that time.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- She had been determined - to remain with her family.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- She wanted to keep the family unit - intact.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- At that time, no-one knew - what the result of that would be.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22- There are some verses here.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- From Paul Bosse.
0:22:27 > 0:22:28- To Oma.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- "You build your home"
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- What does 'treue' mean?
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- "Where your loyalty lies
0:22:43 > 0:22:48- "Your closest family - are your shield
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- "Together you can fight
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- "Because love unites
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- "Those are the strongest ties
0:22:57 > 0:23:02- "Those are the ties that no enemy - can break or undo
0:23:05 > 0:23:06- "That's how it will be"
0:23:26 > 0:23:32- In mid 1944, after Stauffenberg - attempted to assassinate Hitler...
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- ..local Nazis stepped up - their persecution of Jews.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39- They arrested the entire family.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43- Paul Bosse and Kathe Bosse - were imprisoned...
0:23:44 > 0:23:46- ..as were the rest of the family.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50- Hello, how are you? - It's been a long time.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- I have a cousin, Juri, - who lives in Berlin.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- He is Dolly's grandson. - Dolly was Oma's sister.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59- There is a close connection - between us.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- He came to Wales - to study Welsh at Aberystwyth.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06- He's a German cousin - that I've known for some years.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11- I've stayed with him in Berlin but - I haven't seen him for a long time.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16- One strange thing that has happened, - is because of all this suffering...
0:24:16 > 0:24:20- ..the ties between us - and our German relations...
0:24:20 > 0:24:24- ..are stronger than our ties - with our Welsh family.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27- It's strange to think - that this suffering...
0:24:28 > 0:24:31- ..has made people come together - and share their suffering.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34- I think it's difficult for Dad.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38- He loves going to Germany - and keeping in touch with his roots.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43- But this journey - is particularly emotional for him.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48- He's remembering his family - and where his mother came from.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53- I think these things become - more important as you get older.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58- I've thought a lot...
0:24:58 > 0:25:03- ..about whether or not to take - the children to Ravensbruck.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- I've decided not to. They are very - young - only 7 and 8 years old.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11- I'd rather take them when - they'll understand things better.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15- The children will love staying - with the family in Berlin...
0:25:15 > 0:25:18- ..and playing - with the other children.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29- I don't think anyone can look - forward to going to such a place.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- It's very painful for anyone.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36- But to think that someone - from your family was sent there...
0:25:36 > 0:25:39- ..makes it even more painful.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47- It was my grandmother.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52- I knew she was extremely worried - about going there.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56- There is one note from a woman - who was with her in Halle.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00- She said she was petrified - that she'd be sent to Auschwitz...
0:26:00 > 0:26:06- ..and knew that - she wouldn't survive the experience.
0:26:14 > 0:26:15- .
0:26:17 > 0:26:17- 888
0:26:17 > 0:26:19- 888- - 888
0:26:49 > 0:26:53- Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, - 90km north of Berlin.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00- I think the time my grandmother - spent at Ravensbruck...
0:27:01 > 0:27:03- ..was utterly harrowing.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06- My grandfather - would have known already...
0:27:07 > 0:27:11- ..that she had attempted suicide - several times.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15- This was - because of the circumstances...
0:27:16 > 0:27:20- ..and the way she, her family - and the Jews were being treated.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23- The whole thing - is yet more horrific...
0:27:23 > 0:27:28- ..because Ravensbruck was a camp - for innocent women and children.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37- Arriving at Ravensbruck and - seeing the child in the sculpture...
0:27:37 > 0:27:42- ..the small feet, you immediately - think of your own children.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47- You think of children similar to - your own suffering at Ravensbruck...
0:27:47 > 0:27:49- ..along with their mothers.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55- The snow made Ravensbruck - look too picturesque in a way.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59- But beneath the snow - there's great darkness.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- You cannot begin to imagine - how the place was.
0:28:06 > 0:28:12- By August 1944, the camp was - overcrowded with women and children.
0:28:14 > 0:28:19- A huge tent was put up on the site - in order to accommodate them all.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23- The memorial denotes - that 4,000 women and children...
0:28:23 > 0:28:25- ..were stuffed into that tent.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29- They suffered terribly - in the cruellest of conditions.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- It's strange to think - that we're here now...
0:28:38 > 0:28:41- ..and the different circumstances - under which Kathe was here.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- Yes, but we must remember - that ours is just one story...
0:28:46 > 0:28:49- ..and that there are six million - other similar stories.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54- Six million other families have - suffered exactly the same thing...
0:28:54 > 0:28:55- ..and worse.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- Our research - has revealed documents...
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- ..that will answer - some of your questions.
0:29:29 > 0:29:35- We've found your grandmother's - transport document.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38- This is proof that she arrived here.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46- Was that 1st November, 1944?
0:29:48 > 0:29:52- Here is a list of prisoners - who came to Ravensbruck.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56- Your grandmother's name is here.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04- There was no 'Sara' in her name. - Her name was Kathe Bosse.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10- The Nazis gave her a Jewish name.
0:30:11 > 0:30:19- The document shows the number - she would have worn on her arm.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22- That's her number, is it?
0:30:22 > 0:30:23- That's her number, is it?- - Yes.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29- 80911.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- In 1944, when your grandmother - came to the camp...
0:30:33 > 0:30:38- ..the conditions were atrocious.
0:30:39 > 0:30:46- Circumstances were wretched. Food - was scarce and people were starving.
0:30:46 > 0:30:54- There weren't enough clothes and the - winter of 1944-45 was bitterly cold.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59- By the time she came here, - the conditions for women were grim.
0:30:59 > 0:31:05- Food was scarce, - clothing was inadequate...
0:31:05 > 0:31:07- ..and disease was rife.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14- Conditions were wretched. Getting - letters in and out was impossible.
0:31:14 > 0:31:19- There was psychological suffering - on top of the physical suffering.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24- What would she have been doing - in the six weeks she was here?
0:31:24 > 0:31:25- It's hard to know.
0:31:26 > 0:31:32- She was here for six weeks. - Would she have had to work?
0:31:33 > 0:31:36- There are lots of questions - and not enough answers.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39- She died after six weeks.
0:31:39 > 0:31:45- From an illness perhaps?
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- It's impossible to say. It could - have been a number of things.
0:31:53 > 0:32:02- The horrific conditions in the camp, - the incidence of disease...
0:32:02 > 0:32:04- ..lack of food...
0:32:04 > 0:32:09- ..or she could have been worked - to death. We can't be 100% sure.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13- Had the large tent been erected - by then?
0:32:13 > 0:32:15- Yes. The camp was overcrowded.
0:32:16 > 0:32:21- So the large tent had been erected - by November 1st?
0:32:21 > 0:32:26- Would my grandmother - have had to go to the tent?
0:32:28 > 0:32:29- No-one knows.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- It was a very dark time - in the history of the camp.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37- This was when the gas chambers - were built at Ravensbruck.
0:32:39 > 0:32:46- Between Autumn 1944 - and January 1945, two wooden huts...
0:32:46 > 0:32:50- ..were converted into gas chambers.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54- Through harsh selection - at the camp...
0:32:55 > 0:33:00- ..they began executing women - at Ravensbruck...
0:33:01 > 0:33:03- ..in the gas chambers.
0:33:16 > 0:33:17- It's so horrible.
0:33:17 > 0:33:18- It's so horrible.- - It's horrific.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25- Shall we take a break?
0:33:29 > 0:33:31- We're talking about facts here...
0:33:31 > 0:33:35- ..as if they happened - to people in another time.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46- The Final Journey, - a poem by Heini Gruffudd.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- "How did they take you to this hell?
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- "The document said 'transport'
0:33:52 > 0:33:56- "The single document - that records your captivity
0:33:56 > 0:33:59- "You were of Jewish descent
0:33:59 > 0:34:02- "And to be a Jew - was politically mortal
0:34:04 > 0:34:08- "A lorry? A train? Full wagons?
0:34:09 > 0:34:12- "One cannot come to terms - with imagining
0:34:13 > 0:34:16- "Here we are in the comfort - of a two-storey train
0:34:16 > 0:34:18- "Having paid 20 euros
0:34:18 > 0:34:22- "For the privilege - of following the path to oblivion"
0:34:26 > 0:34:29- Between 1939 and 1945...
0:34:29 > 0:34:35- ..90,000 women and children - were killed at Ravensbruck.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41- Paul Bosse and his 4 children - survived the war.
0:34:42 > 0:34:49- Their families still live on - in Germany, Sweden and Wales.
0:34:59 > 0:35:05- I hope the last few days - will spur us on as a family...
0:35:05 > 0:35:10- ..to create a record - of the family's past.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14- I also hope we'll be more open...
0:35:14 > 0:35:18- ..and be more prepared to talk - about the family's history.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20- That can only be a good thing.
0:35:25 > 0:35:31- Knowledge about what happened - in the Second World War is important.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38- The generation - who lived through the war...
0:35:38 > 0:35:44- ..my grandparents and also - my mother, have a story to tell.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- The story should be remembered - as long as the family lives.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51- It's crucial that it's passed - on to the next generation...
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- ..and to every generation - so that it becomes part...
0:35:56 > 0:36:00- ..of our family history as well - as being a part of European history.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:36:34 > 0:36:35- .