Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1940-1941 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 file
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Gurs was a major internment camp in France, near Oloron-Sainte-Marie, 80 kilometers from the Spanish border. Established in 1939 to absorb Republican refugees from Spain, Gurs later served as a concentration camp for Jews from France and refugees from other countries. While under the administration of Vichy France (1940-1942) most non-Jewish prisoners were released and approximately 2000 Jews were permitted to emigrate. In 1941 Gurs held some 15,000 prisoners. The camp was controlled by the Germans from 1942 to 1944, during which time several thousand inmates were deported to extermination camps in Poland. An unknown number succeeded in escaping and reaching Spain or hiding in Southern France. Gurs was liberated in the summer of 1944.
Repository
Archival history
GB 1556 WL 1072 1940-1941 Collection level 1 file Unknown
Gurs was a major internment camp in France, near Oloron-Sainte-Marie, 80 kilometers from the Spanish border. Established in 1939 to absorb Republican refugees from Spain, Gurs later served as a concentration camp for Jews from France and refugees from other countries. While under the administration of Vichy France (1940-1942) most non-Jewish prisoners were released and approximately 2000 Jews were permitted to emigrate. In 1941 Gurs held some 15,000 prisoners. The camp was controlled by the Germans from 1942 to 1944, during which time several thousand inmates were deported to extermination camps in Poland. An unknown number succeeded in escaping and reaching Spain or hiding in Southern France. Gurs was liberated in the summer of 1944.
M. Schneeberger, in 1989.
Papers of Gurs and other French concentration camps, 1940-1941, include reports and correspondence relating to conditions in Gurs and other French concentration camps, many from former inmates. Reports notably include 'Reports from occupied and unoccupied France' (WL1072/5) and '4000 in Not taube Hilfsorganisationen' (WL1072/11), describing conditions in Saint-Cyprien internment camp and correspondence includes a copy letter from the Archbishop of Toulouse, Jules Saliege (1072/9), and letters from inmates.
Chronological
Open
Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.
French, English and German
Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
WL 758
Entry compiled by Howard Falksohn.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
January 2008 Wars (events) Aquitaine Concentration camps Europe France Gurs concentration camp Humanitarian law International conflicts Occupied territories War crimes War prisoners War victims Western Europe World wars (events) World War Two (1939-1945)
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
M. Schneeberger, in 1989.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of Gurs and other French concentration camps, 1940-1941, include reports and correspondence relating to conditions in Gurs and other French concentration camps, many from former inmates. Reports notably include 'Reports from occupied and unoccupied France' (WL1072/5) and '4000 in Not taube Hilfsorganisationen' (WL1072/11), describing conditions in Saint-Cyprien internment camp and correspondence includes a copy letter from the Archbishop of Toulouse, Jules Saliege (1072/9), and letters from inmates.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Chronological
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open
Conditions governing reproduction
Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
French, English and German
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
WL 758
Finding aids
Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English