
The Fighter of Auschwitz
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Narrated by:
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Mark Meadows
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By:
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Erik Brouwer
About this listen
'He had the dream again last night... He taps the gloves of his unbeaten Polish opponent. There are rumours that the loser will be sent to the gas chamber.'
In 1943, the Dutch champion boxer, Leen Sanders, was sent to Auschwitz. His wife and children were put to death while he was sent 'to the left' with the others who were fit enough for labour. Recognised by an SS officer, he was earmarked for a 'privileged' post in the kitchens in exchange for weekly boxing matches for the entertainment of the Nazi guards. From there, he enacted his resistance to their limitless cruelty.
With great risk and danger to his own life, Leen stole, concealed and smuggled food and clothing from SS nursing units for years to alleviate the unbearable suffering of the prisoners in need. He also regularly supplied extra food to the Dutch women in Dr. Mengele's experiment, Block 10. To his fellow Jews in the camp, he acted as a rescuer, leader and role model, defending them even on their bitter death march to Dachau towards the end of the war.
A story of astonishing resilience and compassion, The Fighter of Auschwitz is a testament to the endurance of humanity in the face of extraordinary evil.©2023 Erik Brouwer (P)2023 Orion Publishing Group Limited
Leen’s story is not only of his time in Auschwitz but his life beforehand, as a professional boxer. I found this account very interesting and it was the first account I have read so far that has clearly shown me the gradual progression of the Nazi’s way of thinking and how that slowly encroaches upon the Jewish community.
This account is very factual and whilst of course Leen loses several family members there are few entries around his feelings on those matters nor of his witness to countless horrific things he encounters throughout his time in Auschwitz. I found this more hard hitting than the accounts I have read where we see the prisoners mourn the loss of family and friends and also relaying the trauma of what was done.
He is getting a job done - and the job is to keep people alive the best he can. And to do so he is relying upon his boxing skills, the favour that brings him and his ‘organisation’. You will come to know what is meant by ‘organisation’ when you read this fantasticly inspiring book.
It goes to show that, no matter your circumstances, you must keep your humanity - as this is what keeps not only you alive but allows you to keeps those around you alive.
Thank you to Leen for the lives you saved.
“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” - The Talmud
“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” - The Talmud
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