Kestenberg Archive

TV was born in Krefeld, Germany in 1928. He was an only child. TV's father was a career soldier, an imposing, formal figure, who was absent for much of his childhood, while his mother was extremely soft and indulgent. Aged 12, TV was sent to the Adolf Hitler-Schule in Berg Vogelsang, Eifel. Towards the end of the war the school was captured by the French and TV became a prisoner of war. After some time in camps, TV was given the choice between five years serving in the foreign legion or 15 years working in mines. He chose to join the French Foreign Legion, returning to Germany in 1951. Aside from the physical difficulties this period was emotionally straining as a result of the separation from his parents and his total lack of communication with them - he feared they had died. Upon returning to Germany, TV's father was at first shocked and horrified that his son had served in the French Foreign Legion but over time came to terms with this. TV had always dreamed of being a farmer but in the reality of post-war Germany he could not realize his ambitions. He trained as a plumber's assistant and later moved to Berlin where he completed his master craftsman's certificate, continuing to work in this profession for the rest of his life. During the war he was aware of the existence of concentration camps but not of the mass murder of the Jews until his return to Europe. After the war it was very difficult to discuss the past with his parents. TV married in 1964 although the marriage soon fell apart. He has one daughter.