Historian to present little-known Holocaust story at Sainte-Foy library

Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

editor@qctonline.com

French historian and author François Kersaudy will present a little-known story of humanity amid the Holocaust, in conversation with local journalist Josée Legault at the Bibliothèque Monique- Corriveau in Sainte-Foy on April 24 at 7 p.m.

Kersaudy, a specialist in diplomatic and military history who has written more than 30 books shedding light on lesser-

known aspects of the Second World War, is the author of La liste de Kersten: Un juste parmi les démons. The book recounts the surprising story of Felix Kersten, the personal physician of SS leader Heinrich Himmler, who used his position to save thousands of European Jews – and ultimately, to make sure evidence of the atrocities of Nazi death camps remained for the Allies to find.

French novelist Joseph Kessel told a version of Kersten’s story in the 1960 book Les mains du miracle; Kersaudy said curiosity about the truth behind the plot of the novel sparked his years-long, inter- national journey of discovery.

He explained that Kersten, an eminent private physician, was summoned by the Gestapo in 1939 to treat Himmler, who was suffering from a painful stomach ailment. Over time, he managed to gain the Nazi leader’s trust.

“At one point, one of his other patients said, ‘My fore- man has been imprisoned by the Gestapo. I need my fore- man. Do you think you could intervene with Himmler?’” It was the first of many similar situations. “The next time Himmler told him, ‘We need to

talk about your pay,’ he said, ‘My pay will be the liberation of these people.’ He would pres- ent a list and Himmler would select a few people, a bit at random, without taking a real interest in why they had been arrested. It was very bizarre.” With the help of several accomplices in Himmler’s entourage, he was able to free thousands of people over a period of several years.

In early 1945, Kersten, who was living in Sweden, was contacted by a Swedish diplo- mat who had learned of Nazi plans to blow up the largest of the European concentration

camps as the Allies closed in. “The order Hitler gave to Himmler was, ‘When the Allies arrive within eight kilometres of the camps, the camps must be blown up, along with the prisoners and guards. There will be nothing left [but] ruins, and we can deny everything.’ The Swedes knew this, and they asked Kersten if he could do anything.” Himmler, threat- ened with the loss of Kersten’s services, ultimately decided not to execute the order, sav- ing thousands of survivors and keeping the camps standing for posterity. “With very few exceptions, the people saved by Kersten never knew to whom they owed their freedom. There were resistance fighters who were supposed to be executed and were instead told, ‘Take your things and get lost.’… Only a few Dutch and Swedish resisters knew the full story.”

François Kersaudy’s talk will be presented at the Bibliothèque Monique-Corriveau in partnership with Montreal’s Jewish Public Library and Quebec City’s Beth Israel Ohev Sholom synagogue. See details in the Community Calendar on page 7 and ad on page 5. Please note that the event will be in French.