Meine Lebensgeschichte bis Ende des Krieges im Jahr 1945 1911-1962

The memoirs were written in the United States. Childhood recollections. Memories of the outbreak of World War One. The author's father served as a soldier in the Austro-Hungarian army. Helen and her mother followed him to Brod and Agram, where he was stationed. In 1917 Helen was enrolled in the local school in Agram. Return to Vienna and depression in the aftermath of the war. Summer vacation in the Austrian countryside in Puergg. In 1920 and 1921 Helen was sent with a children's recreation program to Switzerland and Holland. Inflation in Austria. In 1922 Helen attented the humanistic girl's Gymnasium. Birth of her brother Otto in 1924. Helen started to work as a math tutor during her school years. Vaccation at the Adriatic Sea. Graduation in 1930 and journey to her maternal relatives in Hermannstadt, Romania. In autumn 1930 Helen enrolled at the Vienna University with studies in physics and mathematics. During her studies Helen became a member of the Socialist Student Organization. Skiing trips in the Austrian Alps. Political turmoil and rising fascism. Activities in the Socialist underground movement. Work on her dissertation with the physicist Dr. Franz Urbach and graduation in 1937. Recollection of the Anschluss in 1938 and emigration of her friends and colleagues. Helen got a position as a physicist in Berlin. Difficulties to find like-minded people due to the political circumstances of Nazi-Germany. Outbreak of the war. Move to Dresden in 1940. Position at Siemens in Berlin with professor Thirring from Vienna. Imprisonment of her communist friends. In 1942 Helen was arrested by the Gestapo and sent to Auschwitz as a political prisoner. Description of the terrors of the camp. In 1943 she was sent for trial to Berlin and sentenced to 2 years prison at the Frauenstrafgefaengnis in Leipzig. After the war Helen worked for the public library in Vienna and emigrated to the United States in 1962.Helen O. OtleyHelen Oesterreich Otley (maiden and prewar name: Helene Schlesinger) was born in Vienna on October 13, 1911. Her father was a railway official. His father Sigmund Schlesinger was a Jewish merchant from Hungary. Her mother came from a Gentile family. Helen was raised Protestant. She studied physics and mathematics at the Vienna University and became an active member of the Socialist Students. She was arrested as a political opponent and deported to Auschwitz. Helen Otley survived the war and immigrated to the United States in 1962. Helen Otley died on 13 Jan 2003 in Rockville, Maryland.Synopsis in fileAustrian Heritage CollectionSee also "Helen O. Otley Collection" (AR 10946)Teltow, JoachimViennaAgramAmsterdamBerlinBernBrodDresdenHermannstadt (Sibiu)KopenhagenLeipzigMalmoePortorosePuerggRotterdamAustriaBanatCroatiaDenmarkItalyNetherlandsRumaniaSwitzerlandAustro-Hungarian EmpireChildhoodDepressionDomestic life, 20th centuryEducation, primary and secondary, 1918-1933Education, higher, 1933-1945GestapoInflationMarriage, MixedMilitary service, World War IMusicPolitical prisonersProfessions and occupations, dyersProfessions and occupations, railway officialsSchulze-Universities and collegesVoyages and travelsWomen, organizationsWomen, political activit