Biniek, Stanley (1912-2008)

https://collection.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:9837

Biographical Information: Stanley Biniek was born in Raczyce, Poland on November 3, 1912. Biniek and his family were separated in 1939 into concentration camps by the German Army. Biniek spent over three years in Buchenwald before escaping with two other prisoners. After 72 days of travel, Biniek made it safely to Luxembourg, where he married his wife Victoria Adaszak in 1948. Biniek and his wife moved to Minnesota in 1952, and he worked for Woodcraft Industries and St. Regis Paper Mill. He had two daughters and one son. Biniek passed away on June 7, 2008 in Foley, Minnesota.

Transcript Summary: Stanley Biniek discussed his experiences during World War II, primarily his time held in Buchenwald concentration camp. These experiences included witnessing prisoners being sent to killing chambers and the side-effects of those on the camp’s water supply. Around Christmastime in 1943, Biniek describes how he and two other prisoners carried out an escape plan and successfully got out of Buchenwald using items from their Red Cross care packages. Once freed, the men traveled only by night for 72 days until safely arriving in Luxembourg. A man they were traveling with had gotten caught inside of a German family’s home, and when Biniek attempted to break him out, the man was shot and killed by the family. Biniek concluded the interview by describing how he wants to forget his time in the concentration camps, and that he does not understand those that disagree that the Holocaust really took place.

Interview by Karen Wenz