Escaping Buchenwald Concentration Camp | Jacobus Van Der Geest | USC Shoah Foundation

Holocaust survivor, Jacobus Van Der Geest, is one of only seven people who escaped the Buchenwald concentration camp during World War II. Jacobus escaped on March 3, 1943 by pretending to be dead during the camp's 5am roll call. In his testimony with USC Shoah Foundation, Jacobus details arriving at Buchenwald, enduring horrendous medical experiments, and escaping.
Disclaimer: The actions described in this video are disturbing. Please view with caution.
Learn more about USC Shoah Foundation: sfi.usc.edu/
SUBSCRIBE: kzbin.info...
Connect with USC Shoah Foundation:
Facebook: / uscsfi
Twitter: / uscshoahfdn
Instagram: / uscshoahfoundation
IWitness: iwitness.usc.edu/SFI/
Website: sfi.usc.edu/
About USC Shoah Foundation:
USC Shoah Foundation - The Institute for Visual History and Education develops
empathy, understanding and respect through testimony, using its Visual History Archive of more than 55,000 video testimonies, academic programs and partnerships across USC and 170 universities, and award-winning IWitness education program. USC Shoah Foundation’s interactive programming, research and materials are accessed in museums and universities, cited by government leaders and NGOs, and taught in classrooms around the world. Now in its third decade, USC Shoah Foundation reaches millions of people on six continents from its home at the University of Southern California.
Copyright USC Shoah Foundation - The Institute for Visual History and Education
#jacobusvandergeest #concentrationcamp #experiments #bravery #hatecrime

[@joshharris9788]

What a wonderful man..so impressive..a true hero..a gift to the world..

[@justinguy9793]

This guy is way more interesting than any rock star, rapper, celebrity or politician!!! Thanks jack 💪👍👌

[@GAZArts]

Only 10 minutes in and I could listen to this man talk and tell his stories all day, such a pleasant gentleman.

[@FreejackVesa]

What a sweet old dude. Great attitude and obviously has a developed sense of humor.

[@truthlove1114]

Bless this man! I’ve listened to hundreds of these interviews and his telling was so interesting. I teared up throughout. The farm couple making the sign of the cross for his protection was nice to hear. In all the horrors that happened we need to hear the few moments when people were decent to each other. His personality is amazing. I would have liked to have met him.

[@debbief9861]

Just finished watching. It’s one of the most amazing stories we’re ever likely to hear.

[@mikecook8712]

I had the pleasure of listening to and meeting this man in the late 90's at our highschool

[@jhaustrick2535]

What an amazing human being Jack was. This should be made into a film to show the courage and determination of the human spirit. I am humbled.

[@texasranger4656]

Couldnt agree more. What an amazing man and amazing story. Respect,respect respect and what a film it would make, truly awesome.

[@kerrimuir1]

Love to see a film about him!!!

[@BeckBeckGo]

I often think of this when I watch these. I mean obviously there are a million movies and plays about Anne Frank. But people absolutely love those and I think movies about other people would be well received too. But I suppose many are gone now and one would have to get the rights to their story. That’s the delicate part.

[@JaneDoe-ql7sc]

Right on, i hope it becomes made into a film, too

[@thecatcameback3921]

A very nice man. The world needs more people like him considering the terror he went through. Respect AND Love to You, Sir!

[@lizbethdutton3971]

An unbelievable life! I thank him for his service. A very courageous man, intelligent and he used his humor! God bless him. A survivor of the unsurvivable.

[@theresabraddock9310]

absolutely amazing story! this man has 9 lives. He was a rebel with tons of luck and guts and humanity. he's seen a whole lot of horrific. the bravest tale Ive ever heard

[@JaneDoe-ql7sc]

Van der Geest family: hope you might see that Mr. Jack's experiences are made into a movie. His is the most interesting & exciting collection of experiences! His escape from Buchenwald was so ingenious & masterful. Especially i'm impressed by how he then went on to serve, to serve so much, with different countries, he was a total hero! The storyline is perfect, he told it so well! totally breath-taking, thrilling, edge of your seat events. I'd love to see this become a movie, because it is so amazing, so outstanding, so incredible, it will become a classic. p.s. I will definitely be buying his book! 🙂

[@lorry2763]

Thank you! ❤ This man's story is so incredible, They should make it into a movie!

[@unmaskscience111]

Right!

[@kathleenlang3747]

If he’s alive, he’s 99, now that it is 2023. He’ll be 100 in September. I would love to talk to him!

[@c64844]

He passed away in 2009 at 85 years old.

[@dankelly2147]

The volume on this recording is extremely low. I’ve spent the entire time with my head pressed against the speaker to her it. This man was an incredible soul, a mensch. Incredible heroism. Semper fi!

[@yonasamman6886]

@@dankelly2147 Click on the CC below ( close caption ) subtitles .

[@tomorrowisanotherday12]

@@dankelly2147 me too!

[@4cats2008]

I too had all volumes at highest setting! Too bad they can't remaster his interview at a higher volumes. This needs to be saved for future generations to watch! @@dankelly2147

[@janetdorsey5619]

Amazing! Amazing! Over 4 hours flew by listening to this man's story! So grateful to have been able to hear it..

[@4cats2008]

I have to get his book now. So articulate and so sad and shocking. No wonder he had nightmares. I couldn't understand him when he spoke of them cutting off the top of a man's fingers and what they did after that. His voice broke so badly so maybe it's best we don't know what happened. He was able to describe many other unspeakable acts of medical violence and carnage without breaking, but this finger thing still renders him almost speechless. What a brave soul and thank God he wrote it all down as all need to know..

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

What an amazing life this man has experienced. May future generations listen carefully to his experiences, love of America and her freedoms.

[@jodiutley7292]

There definitely needs to be a movie of this man's traumatic, interesting life!

[@olympiahendrix4392]

They won't believe it! Besides, it would interfere with the propaganda. Thank God, the poor man is not around to see what is going on.

[@caseyantoncew6114]

That would be a great movie

[@lee183]

So true

[@4cats2008]

it would be hard to watch such a movie, but because of the times we're living in now, we need such a reminder! Some still won't watch and some still deny any of this happened. It did happen and we are on the path of repeating history as I type...

[@BeckBeckGo]

I realize I’m focused on such a small detail here. But as someone who once had a very low weight myself, I think my BMI was maybe 14.5 or something, I did the math. If his weight and height during incarceration were accurate, that man escaped Buchenwald with a BMI of 12… It’s incredible. I know how brainless and uncoordinated you become when you get too thin. He must have been running on sheer adrenaline…

[@rescuepetsrule6842]

After a bad bout of food poisoning, all my Electrloytes were gone. I woke up in a trance and spent 5 days alone until I could remember how to charge and use my phone. (I couldn't remember my big Dog's name either :( ). How starving people were able to think at all is beyond me! Only God, IMO.

[@kingdick4508]

It was very interesting to find another Ham Radio Operator in a Holocaust survivor video testimony. Great interview, and a testimony to his courage and the savage treatment he endured. This man is gold…

[@GoldenHoney32]

What an amazing soul whose persistence and will to live took him through such unmentionable and beautiful circumstances. His testimony and life experiences have forever changed my life and make me more appreciative of my freedom and to be an American than ever before. May your soul continue to live on peacefully and happy.

[@laurierinaldi8328]

What an amazing man. What a story teller! I could picture everything he talked about. I enjoy listening to these amazing survivors and their experiences, even though they are sometimes horrific. We must never forget so this never happens again. My only criticism is the constant coughing of the interviewer. They should have edited that out.

[@4cats2008]

the coughing was awful and I kept wondering what ailment she had and would she contaminate him. Yes, should have been edited out

[@lorrainelafond4447]

this is so hard for me to hear what he is saying so I'm not staying with it .

[@JaneDoe-ql7sc]

p.s.p.s. My appreciation for & compliments to the wonderful interviewer, Toni Katsch Binstock, for her calm quiet presence, allowing Jack to tell his story. She asked only a very few questions that did not distract from the flow, & they were questions whose answers she and I & surely everyone was wondering about! Watching this video was an awesome experience!

[@4cats2008]

but she did distract the flow with all her coughing, otherwise I agree.

[@maryburry6456]

What a very betafull man very brave some one should write a book on a true storie he deserves that this should be never forgoteen you are a very unic l hope you have a long life many more to come god bless you

[@lizgichora6472]

If love was not persistent ' we wouldn't be here', love wins. Thank you for sharing your story, quite moving.

[@olympiahendrix4392]

the Light of God will always prevail. It is written and so it will be. Amen!

[@siriusspica559]

One of best war stories of ww2

[@marciearnold9035]

What a wonderful man. Amazing man and a survivor of the worlds worst. What a life and a story

[@Mike-01234]

19 years old have to endure something that millions in this world never see in a lifetime.

[@olympiahendrix4392]

Genocide is alive and doing well! Jakobus is a messenger for us to be vigilant and hope for those who suffer already!

[@lizoconnor2752]

He's a combination of Raoul Wallenberg and James Bond. What a beautiful human being!

[@blackie75]

And a little of Charles Dickins.....

[@jerryjc5]

One of the most amazing life stories I have ever heard. So thankful this gentleman had a platform to tell his story and let future generations learn from him. I would have loved to have met him.

[@lee183]

What this guy has been thru is beyond words I hope he still alive and in good health

[@SGTDuckButter]

Without a doubt his life story needs to be told. I don’t know what to say, it was so interesting this man’s life. What a real good man.

[@sarahfarrell8214]

Beautiful family! Thank you for sharing your story Jack, you're an American hero.

[@justmeinidaho777]

I love this gentleman. The Nazis could NOT take away his humanity!!!

[@unmaskscience111]

They did take his humanity actually but he still beat them at their own games.

[@ojseph]

A very amazing but tragic tale, thank you for sharing

[@kerrimuir1]

It's amazing how he talks so calmly about his escape from Buchenwald!!! Just wow, so very brave. I would've peed my pants going through those prison gates!!!

[@olympiahendrix4392]

Just pee?? 🤣🤣

[@tiffanieqaisar7487]

This is the most fantastic human I think I have ever heard of! ❤my husband is a hero from war too and well known in our city. Anyway, here’s to our heroes. 🎉 there are only a few good men… golden hearted honest simple humble noble and honest genuine gentleman. God’s prayers to our heroes from this terrible war. And now they have God’s Blessing to this world. When they pass they will be celebrated in heaven for their heroism in life.

[@lostinidlewonder]

One of the most interesting accounts, his experience with the medical experiments was harrowing. Amazing that he survived based on all these experiences he recounts. Interviewer: *COUGH COUGH* excuse me -_-

[@lindarogers2527]

She always seems to have a cough !!!

[@sarahfarrell8214]

Jack is a hero, wow, it's an amazing life. My heart breaks for what he lived through in the camp, I hope he can forget that terrible time in his life. Thank you Jack for being a hero during the war, and thank you for loving America and being a great American citizen.

[@celestryalcelestryal6690]

If only I could hear it. All these recordings...such a shame...I cannot hear it unless sitting on top of my speakers at full volume. God Bless him and others for sharing...

[@daves8823]

Amazing man! One of the most compelling survivor stories I've heard. What perplexes me is how many people can be so cruel. What kind of person kills others or enjoys hurting people? If think about my experiences in life as an American, the type of people I've come across that I can imagine killing others on order would be many American policemen. I've lived in rough areas and have met many different people. Gang members, bikers, whites, blacks, Hispanics you name it. The only people that consistently had distain in their eyes, laughed about taking other's freedom and hurting others were police officers. I hate to say that but it's true. I believe with all certainty that if a tragedy such as the Holocaust happened or were to happen in the US, most in law enforcement would take an active roles in murdering US citizens without question. It wouldn't be the different ethnic or socioeconomic groups that would need to be feared, it would be law enforcement/military.

[@sardarhesam]

OMG what a life and a story , Thanks for the upload 🙂

[@cleopatra1633]

The people of The Hague suffered greatly because of the German occupation. My family lived a few streets from this man van der Geest. The Germans and the collaborators (NSB dutch traitors) had their headquarters in our city. They occupied and emptied complete neighbourhouds for defense purposes. My grandfather was captured and send for hard labour to Germany. My mother was born in 1941 and was close to death a number of time because of disease and hunger. In the last part of the war my grandmother had to go for food runs on foot with a cart to get at least some food from the farmers. They even had to eat the dog. When my grandfather came back from Germany he was completely covered in boils and was very sick, he never was himself again. My father was about ten and in the last winter (the Winter of Hunger 44/45) he saw people on the street dying of hunger and exhaustion. And then the Allies bombed by mistake an entire neighbourhood. Bedankt meneer van der Geest en zijn familie voor de heldendaden voor ons volk!

[@kerrimuir1]

I'm so very sorry you're family suffered those terrible, atrocious, deplorable, evil times 💔 so many stories that have never been told . . .

[@cleopatra1633]

@@kerrimuir1 thank you, I am glad my aunt and grandmother telling me all there experiences so that I was not ignorant about the past of my family

[@iivaridark6850]

This video was one of the best we have experienced here in YT. Jack said the real reason for why nations like Israel just have to be alert at all times. We here in Finland, should too. I have to thank one finnish YT-videoer, who lately called in his video Israel a terrorist state - and somehow we (me and my wife) ended up having a glance of what is and has been done against antisemitism lately. And looks like a lot. And still we have alot to learn and share. So keep on the good work!

[@rescuepetsrule6842]

SALUTE and Semper Fi, fellow Jarhead Jack! We need a LOT of men like him in this world- so glad he made it.

[@joycehahn01]

I love this sweet gentleman ! :)

[@59tante]

Omg, my Dad is from Schiedam. Love my memories of the Netherlands

[@denisehade.5928]

Thank you Sir for your story...xxx

[@hazeldmello5800]

May Almighty God grant Eternal Rest to the souls of all the victims of the Holocaust.

[@debbief9861]

So desperately sorry this gentleman went through this xx

[@patriciahoward7447]

What a fascinating story! I salute you sir!

[@Diane18]

These people are all precious jewels. God bless them.

[@janblackman6204]

Would love to hear his story but the sound is too low

[@kingofdubb2133]

connect your computer to an amplifier and turn it up

[@tarininathaghoridurgadevi]

try headphones

[@janblackman6204]

@@tarininathaghoridurgadevi good idea but I don’t have any

[@laurarayeg4107]

Try the closed caption feature that allows you to read the dialogue. Just click on the CC icon at the top of the video.

[@Jerseyboondocks]

I can hear it fine. I'm already a half hour into it and I don't have any problems hearing it and I do not have the best hearing either... Because when I was younger I used to listen to music really loud on headphones and it caused a little bit of hearing loss or maybe a lot

[@sallyzedillo2113]

So amazing the depth of depravity that humans can go. So very happy Jack survived. An amazing man. God bless you in Heaven!

[@Michaeltoddzz]

Great Interview, I’m an associate coordinator for JRI-Jasenovac Research Institute-Brooklyn we commemorate the Holocaust in New York City annually.

[@lskalf497]

😱 omg. Thank you so much for your story.

[@lyndaalterio1027]

God bless this man! What a horrible thing to have gone through.

[@Bigmannguyss]

1st July 2023,Bless you Sir,Respect and love to you

[@debbief9861]

...and totally amazing story of escape. I could barely breath when he was describing it.

[@Serenitynow958]

PS He did NOT have Alzheimer’s: he was giving speeches right up until he passed suddenly.

[@fada7903]

One of the most impressive testemony. A life lesson for all.

[@michaelx1809]

My grandfather was in the 6th Armored Division and help liberate Buchenwald,I still have the pictures he took there and his journals. 🇮🇱

[@lindac3129]

Wonderful talk,God Bless you

[@anthonygallegos4342]

What a wonderful man!

[@tamaramorton8812]

I’ve been trying to listen for almost half an hour and I’m getting tired of trying so hard so I will probably close. I’d like to hear what else he has to say but I don’t have any earphones with me and will probably forget to come back here after I buy some.

[@kerrimuir1]

How do you forget at story like this?

[@justmeinidaho777]

Save it to "watch later" in your KZbin. Then come back with your earphones or head phones. Well worth the return visit!

[@olympiahendrix4392]

Died: 5 March 2009 (aged 85). See Wilipedia. 10 years and 11 months after this interview.

[@caseyantoncew6114]

Very interesting man. I have a lot of admiration for him.

[@maureenmckenna5220]

What a story. Talk about God watching over you. He was smart enough to wear the farmer’s son’s clothes under the German uniform. He was able to find an empty train car and then a liberty loving dentist. Lucky we are able to hear his story.

[@Jerseyboondocks]

Yes he does have an awesome story but why would God watch over him but not the millions of others that died in the Holocaust?

[@kittycatbeatrice2729]

What an amazing man! I have met many holocaust survivors but he tops them all! He is one I would have loved to have met.

[@k.1701]

This is incredible

[@unmaskscience111]

This man is incredible- he had to play the devils game to escape them and he won 🏆

[@beethistlewinery6682]

she questions as though she doubts him. He no doubt embellished when he couldn't remember details, but nothing can take away from his candid demeanor and his never-ending sense of humour even in the face of death.

[@lorrainelafond4447]

I wish they make these louder so you can hear what they are saying

[@sallyzedillo2113]

What a wonderful man! Thank God the world didn't lose this man!

[@susanborkenhagen58]

I just read about translating "NUTS!" and this is what it said..."Despite determined German attacks, the perimeter held. The German commander, Lüttwitz,requested Bastogne's surrender.When Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, acting commander of the 101st, was told of the German demand to surrender, in frustration he responded, "Nuts!" After turning to other pressing issues, his staff reminded him that they should reply to the German demand. One officer, Lt. Col. Harry Kinnard, noted that McAuliffe's initial reply would be "tough to beat." Thus McAuliffe wrote on the paper, which was typed up and delivered to the Germans, the line he made famous and a morale booster to his troops: "NUTS!" That reply had to be explained, both to the Germans and to non-American Allies.

[@lauferrari6998]

I have no words

[@joettaserio9221]

I am slightly hard of hearing and would love to hear this at a louder volume but my cell phone won't go any louder as I already have my phone on full volume. He should have been holding a mic in front of him or headphones so everyone could understand him. Maybe an enhanced volume video will show up later because I definitely want to hear his story.😟

[@elisabetosthsvanberg1095]

I had the same problem!! Unfortunately the interviewers cough went right in the mike....

[@mamabear9389]

I agree and I am NOT hard of hearing.

[@shellymb]

Turn on closed captions. I did

[@jennijennifer5129]

I am deaf in my left ear and hearing loss in my right ear. I use an ear bud. Makes hearing some KZbin chanels so much easier

[@giovannischulze1253]

His story from the start of his escape should be called "And all that". Full of gaping holes. He travels through all of Germany and occupied France to a dentist who reveals to him that he is in the resistance, then he makes it to England, to get dropped of on DDAy with the 101st Airborne, without any basic training, lands on a bunker right at the beach, witnesses the invasion, blows up a bunker, interrogates "Quislings" (which is an expression for a norwegian collaborators) and so on... Edit: OMFG, now he meets the son of the family who saved him!!!! thanks Jack for all the laughs

[@maxzip100]

Wonderful man

[@riobrasilsambashowssambist1453]

I am surprised at Usc with all their accolades in film and video, that they don't edit out coughing and clearing of throat, especially when it is the interviewer. I do this for my work and it is totally basic

[@dianemardis8964]

Great man!

[@sre1236]

Wow is all I can say

[@marilumiramontes4866]

Sound to low 😢

[@Vacherie.de.vacherie]

I’m not American, and I never wished I was…he’s off on the numbers at the end ;)

[@TobeCatholic]

I wonder if he ever spoke again to Rita after the war…

[@grandwizard9088]

1:49:58………. The moment Mr Geest face changed😳

[@JayveeSonata]

I really wanted to see this, but the sound is annoyingly low. I don't have headphones or amplifiers - - and reading captions is tedious.

[@harrynking777]

It isn't that tedious. However, the sound could be more amplified.

[@Jerseyboondocks]

I don't have that great hearing because when I was younger I used to blast headphones on with music but yet I can hear this fine

[@stst77]

How everything fell into place for his escape, i can’t believe he couldn’t see God in that.

[@rockyravine1155]

too bad the audio is so bad, very difficult to hear!

[@gailboyd2076]

Why are you obviously using a sick interviewer?

[@hendrikhuiskes7734]

His father actually died in Vucht, not Dachau

[@jennrowsell7868]

❤

[@maureenmckenna5220]

She is not the best of interviewers. He explained about putting the uniform on over his clothes the first time. She asks him again about his clothes and what he wore, after he explained it once. Not good.

[@KingJorman]

The interviewers are all volunteers who were given basic, uniform coaching for these interviews. And it costs money to edit.

[@maureenmckenna5220]

@@KingJorman Thanks for the insight.

[@sallyethridge1393]

Do allow anyone to forget!

[@rogerburch69]

He passed away in 2009

[@stst77]

Unless i missed it, i wonder how he removed the tattoos. I mean was anathesia applied? I mean it seems like it would be difficult for the people to sit still with their skin being taken off . As for Rita, she was evil. I wonder how the sister dealt with knowing because she didn’t go out with the guy her dad died and her mom and brother were arrested. That must have caused her a lot of grief, but I think her dad would have preferred death than knowing the fate of his daughter if she had gone out with the guy.

[@jimksa67]

The interviewer is a bit naive as to what horrible dehumanizing methods went on at the concentration camp. That and her coughing into her mike without muting! Anyway, this interview is riveting - this gentleman is a real world class hero imo. He is still in danger however, Catholicism is a very deceptive cult. ie Christ said: 'Call no man Father' and pray he has awakened to that and truly become born again. shalom

[@tarininathaghoridurgadevi]

She is not naive, she has interviewed many and she already knows a lot. She is quite sensitive with him i feel but still tries to get the information for the listeners. I have seen tons of those interviews and i have to say she is just one of the best in my opinion.

[@aliceberry9392]

Yes, her coughing was annoying.

[@Mike-01234]

How is he in danger? He passed away years ago this video was made in the 1990's.

[@mrbatman4robin]

@@aliceberry9392 Thank you for your constructive comment on an interview which was made in the 1990s.

[@miketomlin6040]

Chrisitanity is mumbo jumbo, so what is your point?

[@elizabethjones6015]

When was Stalingrad

[@colinprice990]

Tall stories springs to mind here!!! WALTY MITTY

[@unmaskscience111]

This lady coughing 🤢

[@stst77]

Yeah, i felt sorry for the old man. I hope he didn’t catch anything.

[@lauferrari6998]

I wonder in which sense it helps to say "beware of China, or Cuba" What should we do?That' s another way of promoting discrimination and hatred. Let the Institutions get in charge of neonazis, there are laws for that, and legal channels to denounce. Killing a human being is not to celebrate, even if he 's an enemy or an assessin. And last, but not least, humans should reflect on the fact of torturing rats and other beings that are considered inferior and worthless