Ferlov Mancoba
Audio file 91-2
[continued from 91-2] Ernest explains that Drancy was more "strict" and military-like in rules; Wonga probes for first impressions of Drancy including the architecture
Ernest and Wonga speak of Ernest's first imprisonment at Fresnes prison, then St Denis for British non-combattant prisoners of war and Drancy
Ernest writes a letter to Sonja that he is in the prison (undated but assumed date June 1940) and according to handwritten dates on the back of his St Denis prisoner card, he was interred there on 28 July 1940
Wonga returns to Drancy and its use pre- and post-war; Ernest recalls some of its architectural aspects including the locations where he witnessed one Jewish prisoner attack another and where the German soldier abused him; Wonga asks for Ernest's confirmation of details that were in a prisoner's memoire [book unidentified]
Ernest gives more details about when the Jewish prisoner was attacked by another
also discussed in audio file 65-1
[tape stopped and restarts] Wonga reports on what he researched about Drancy and is trying to establish the dates when Ernest was there; Wonga speaks of Alois Brunner supposing he was the commandant during Ernest's time; [tape stopped and restarts] Wonga speculates on Ernest's emotional state at Drancy, and tries to get more details from Ernest of the conditions
Wonga's estimated dates are not borne out by dates according to letters in the archive.
Ernest gives more details of the incidence when he was abused by the German soldier but Wonga double checks with details previously provided [in mix of English and French] then asks about Ernest's feelings towards the Jews in the work group
also discussed in file 18-1 and 65-1. Letter to Mr Fletcher digitised
Ernest links the experience to his experience living in South Africa, of being Black; Wonga tries to draw lessons of human behaviour
Facts
PDFAbout the recordings: Ernest Mancoba's son, Marc also known as Wonga, recorded interviews with his father. The interviews seemed to serve different purposes and are not in chronological order.
Ca.1990-2002 (91-2)
- Fresnes prison, Paris