The Memory of Treblinka Foundation

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Samuel Willenberg

First Name
Samuel
Last Name
Willenberg
Date of birth
16.02.1923
Age
Place of birth
Częstochowa
Gender
male
Profession
sculptor painter
Maiden name
Mother's name
Maniefa Popow
Father's name
Perec
City
Częstochowa
Transport where from
Opatów
Date of transport
20.10.1942
Story
"One and only person who escaped from Treblinka survived the Opatów transport. He witnessed the burning of the entire Opatów transport. It was Samuel Willenberg (alive, he is a lieutenant in the Polish Army)." In the camp, he worked in the sorting room and camouflage commando. He was also a hairdresser there. Itta and Tamara - Willenberg's sisters, died in Treblinka. Although he was wounded in the uprising, shot in the leg, he managed to escape into the forest and eventually made it to Warsaw, where he met his father. He took part in the Warsaw Uprising in August 1944 and fought as a partisan in Kampinos. After liberation, he joined the Polish army and served as a captain until 1947. In 1950, he left for Israel with his wife and mother. He made many sculptures related to Treblinka. He wrote the book "Mutiny in Treblinka". Until the end of his life, he talked about Treblinka.
Escape
during the uprising
Fate
Yes
Date of death
19.02.2016
Place of death
Tel Aviv, Israel

Source

AŻIH 301/1134, 301/1135, rel. Samuel Willenberg, 302/247, rel. Samuel Willenberg, 301/3328, rel. Henryk Hercberg, s. 15; S. Willenberg, “Bunt w Treblince”; wikipedia; “Sefer Opatow”, s. 212

Record ID
249
Insert date
15.11.2022
Update date
30.12.2023
Photo description
Samuel Willenberg after escaping from Treblinka
Photo source
Muzeum Treblinka
The Memory of Treblinka Foundation