The Stable Boy of Auschwitz
Henry Oster was just five years old when Adolf Hitler rose to power in 1933. Growing up in Cologne, Germany, Henry and his family faced escalating persecution due to their Jewish heritage. They were forcibly relocated to the Łódź Ghetto in Poland, where they endured severe hardships. In 1944, Henry and his mother were deported to Auschwitz.
Upon arrival, they were separated, leaving Henry alone. Assigned to work in the Auschwitz stables, Henry cared for horses—a role that provided him with a marginally better chance of survival. Despite the back-breaking labor and the constant threat of death, Henry’s resilience and determination saw him through the war.
After liberation, he rebuilt his life in America, arriving with no family, money, or formal education. Of the 2,011 Jews deported from Cologne, Henry was one of only 23 to survive the concentration camps.
This memoir not only chronicles the harrowing experiences Henry faced during the Holocaust but also highlights his remarkable journey of rebuilding his life post-war. His story serves as a powerful testament to human resilience and the enduring spirit of survival.
