Sworn Declaration, March 2, 1946

By chance, I learned that Mr. Hermann Wenkart was being attacked by certain fellow camp inmates due to his role as a camp leader. However, I had the opportunity to closely observe Wenkart from August 1941 to January 15, 1944, and in the interest of truth, I must make the following sworn statement. I am prepared to testify to the accuracy of my statements before any forum at any time.

I was a construction clerk at the company Autheried, which in 1941 was carrying out work at the Deblin Air Base. In August 1941, during the construction of the barbed wire fence around the Jewish camp, I met Wenkart, who was working as a clerk. From the beginning, his way of acting stood out to me. His dedication to the Jews under his supervision, his care, and his camaraderie were so unparalleled that we, who were obligated to serve, were in awe of his courage and energy, especially given the immense danger to life that every Jew—especially those in leadership positions—faced under the General Government.

I personally witnessed Wenkart, at great personal risk, confront sadistic German officers, thereby preventing the mistreatment of Jews. Countless times, he rescued camp inmates from imprisonment, which would have put them in mortal danger.

During the deportation from Deblin on May 6, 1942, it was Wenkart who initiated a plan involving the site manager of the company, Engineer Kozak, to hide over 100 Jews, including three women, in a warehouse belonging to the company—thus saving them from the SS, who were deporting over 1,600 Jews (only those deemed able to work) to an unknown fate, possibly death.

In October 1941, the Luftwaffe construction management dissolved the Jewish camp, and Wenkart—who was highly respected by the entire company—was transferred, along with 102 Jews, into the employment of Autheried. Wenkart became a group leader and was responsible for payroll, work assignments, and the welfare of the Jewish workers.

Regarding his work with us until he took over as camp leader in July 1942, not only I but also the following Vienna-based individuals can testify:

Ing. Kozak, former construction manager (Vienna XVI, Friedmanngasse 1a) Maierhofer, worker (Vienna X, Troststraße 81) Hammermaier, worker (Vienna XIX, Heiligenstädter Straße 84/53/10)

Wenkart ensured that the Jewish workers under his supervision were treated humanely, which was unheard of in the entire Eastern region at the time. Not only that, but he also secured higher wages than prescribed by disguising them as piecework and overtime payments. Additionally, Wenkart successfully negotiated food subsidies for the Jewish workers from German and Polish authorities, which we had thought impossible.

His own work performance was not only exemplary and flawless in every way, but his dedication to his fellow sufferers was so extraordinary that we at the company often mentioned him as a shining example in the years that followed.

In October 1942, we were transferred to Slonim, but I remained in contact with the Deblin Jewish camp because, thanks to Wenkart’s initiative, I was able to help his Viennese comrades (Engel, Pollak, Grossmann, and Gärtler) by using my business trips to Vienna to deliver news and packages from Vienna to Deblin several times a year. During my frequent visits to the camp, I was repeatedly able to confirm that Wenkart risked his life time and again for the benefit of the Jews. I must express my astonishment that Wenkart is being attacked by anyone at all.

I am currently the elected chairman of the workers’ council at Autheried (which employs about 500 people) and was nominated by all three political parties. If irresponsible individuals, who may have themselves harmed the camp, are attacking a selfless person like Mr. Wenkart, I see it as my personal duty to take a stand against this.

I am prepared to testify to my statements in person and under oath at any time.

Julius Haczek

Vienna 20, Leystraße 23/16/4