Holocaust survivor at Bexleyheath school

4:28pm Thursday 31st July 2008

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PUPILS at a Bexley school have been learning first hand about the horrors of the Holocaust from one of its survivors.

Nearly 200 students from Bexleyheath School heard testimony from Gena Turgel, now 84, who survived two of the Nazis' most notorious concentration camps at Auschwitz and Belsen.

At the age of 21, she was sent with her mother to the gas chamber, disguised as showers, at Auschwitz.

But instead of the deadly gas being released, it was water - something she is still unable to explain.

Mrs Turgel was transferred from Auschwitz to Belsen and met her late husband Norman, who was a Jewish soldier with the British intelligence Corps and one of the first liberators into the camp.

After hearing her story, pupils were able to ask questions.

One of the school's history teacher, Libby Griffiths said it was a privilege to welcome Mrs Turgel to the school.

She added: "We hope that, by hearing Mrs Turgel's testimony, it will encourage our students to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives."

The visit was organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust.