‘No one could leave’: The last Greek Jewish Holocaust survivor shares her story

·

“We were like animals,” one of the last Greek Jewish Holocaust survivors said in an interview with Ekathimerini.

At the age of 96, Esther ‘Naki’ Matathia Bega has recounted her harrowing story about being a Jew in Greece and how after being caught by the Nazis she faced a 14-month fight for survival at the Auschwitz II-Birkenau and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps, as well as the long march to liberation across Germany.

On March 1944, the Germans started rounding up the Jews where she had been living with her brother’s father in Volos near Trikala, Greece.

“They dragged us to the square, packed us into cars and took us to Larissa… Then the Germans put us in the train cars, with one tiny window and box where we did our business, and 13 days later, we arrived at the camp,” Esther said in her interview.

Bega was taken to Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp. She detailed the horrific scenes and tormenting smells she endured at the time.

Esther ‘Naki’ Matathia Bega shows the tattoo of her number, 77092. Photo: Ekathimerini

“When anyone tried to escape, they were killed and their bodies were propped up with shovels along the road so we could see them. No one could leave,” Bega explained and added that with time, prisoners came to understand what was happening at the gas chambers as well.

By January 1945, the Nazis began evacuating the site and Bega would begin a 22-day march in Germany’s freezing cold.

“We’d walk all day and at night they’d put us in some field so we could rest and then we’d start walking again in the morning,” she said.

With Germany under attack, Bega’s group, which included five Greek women, were released by the Nazis. She remembers begging for clothing at nearby houses. Eventually, she returned to Greece on August 15, 1945.

“I remember that day, because there were flags everywhere.”

Greece was celebrating the feast day of the Mother of God, Panagia.

Source: Ekathimerini

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Parramatta comes alive with the biggest Let’s Go Greek Festival yet

Parramatta came alive as nearly 70,000 people danced, feasted, and celebrated at the Let’s Go Greek Festival 2025.

Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation appoints CEO and launches new language program

The Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation has unveiled a series of major developments as it continues its mission to promote Greek.

Archbishop Makarios of Australia welcomes Panathinaikos BC delegation to Sydney

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia welcomed a delegation from Panathinaikos Basketball Club to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese HQ.

‘Yiayia’s Saloni’ wins best stall at Mosaic Festival in South Australia

The GOCSA Neoléa (Youth) Committee has been awarded the coveted Best Stall Award at this year’s Mosaic Festival Adelaide.

‘A century of inspiration’: Melbourne honours Theodorakis and Hatzidakis

With a packed hall at the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne, the cultural event “A Century of Inspiration” took place.

You May Also Like

Sofia Vembo: the Greek ‘Singer of Victory’

Sofia Vembo became known for her performance of patriotic songs during the Greco-Italian War, when she was dubbed the "Singer of Victory."

Greek Australian gold-medalist Michael Diamond charged with harassing brother, hit with AVO

Olympic gold-medalist Michael Diamond was handed an apprehended violence order (AVO) after pleading guilty to harassing his brother John.

Basil Zempilas celebrates Churchlands election win with Greek dancing

Basil Zempilas celebrated his Churchlands election victory on Saturday, March 8, with a lively party, embracing his Greek roots.