005. Primo Levi a Hermann Langbein, 19 aprile 1961

Torino, 19 aprile 1961

Sig. Hermann Langbein
Comité International d’Auschwitz
VIENNA

Caro amico,

Le mando subito la nota biografica[1] che mi chiede. Sono nato a Torino nel 1919, da famiglia ebrea. Ho studiato sempre a Torino, e mi sono laureato in chimica nel 1941. Nel settembre 1943, dopo la capitolazione dell’esercito italiano, la Wehrmacht ha occupato la parte settentrionale dell’Italia: io sono scappato sulle montagne di Aosta e mi sono unito a una banda di partigiani aderenti al «Partito d’Azione» (una sorta di partito laburista).

Sono stato catturato dai fascisti il 13 dicembre ’43, identificato come ebreo e inviato al Lager BUNA-Monowitz (Auschwitz), dove ho ricevuto il numero di matricola 174517. Da principio ho lavorato al Kommando 85 (trasporti); nel giugno 1944, essendo riuscito a dimostrare la mia qualifica di chimico, sono passato al Kommando 98 (detto Kommando Chimico, in realtà adibito al trasporto di prodotti chimici). Infine, nel novembre ’44, sono stato inserito come assistente in un laboratorio degli stabilimenti I.G. Farben della Buna.

L’11 gennaio 1945 mi sono ammalato e sono stato ammesso all’infermeria: ho potuto così evitare la terribile marcia di evacuazione imposta dalle SS il 17 gennaio. Sono stato liberato dall’esercito sovietico il 27 gennaio.

Ora vivo a Torino del mio mestiere di chimico. Ho raccolto le mie memorie nel libro Se questo è un uomo, pubblicato con successo in Italia e poi tradotto in inglese, tedesco, francese e finlandese.[2]

Spero di aver soddisfatto le Sue richieste; resto in attesa delle bozze di stampa, di cui La ringrazio in anticipo.

Le stringo la mano con viva cordialità

Primo Levi

Turin, April 19, 1961

Mr. Hermann Langbein
International Auschwitz Committee
VIENNE

Dear friend,

I hasten to send you the biographical note[1] that you request. I was born in Turin in 1919 to a Jewish family. I always studied in Turin, and I received a degree in Chemistry in 1941. In September 1943, following the surrender of the Italian army, the Wehrmacht occupied northern Italy: I fled into the mountains of Aosta and joined a group of partisans belonging to the “Partito d’Azione” (more or less the Labor party).

I was captured by the fascists on December 13, ’43, identified as a Jew, and sent to the concentration camp BUNA-Monowitz (Auschwitz), where I received the identification number 174517. I first worked in Kommando 85 (transportation); in June 1944, having been able to demonstrate my profession of chemist, I moved to Kommando 98 (the so-called Chemists Kommando, which was actually transporting chemical products). Finally, in November ’44, I was accepted as an assistant in one of the laboratories of I.G. Farben at Buna.

On January 11, 1945 I became ill, and was sent to the infirmary: in this way, I avoided the horrible evacuation march ordered by the SS, on January 17. I was liberated by the Soviet army on January 27.

I now make my living in Turin as a chemist. I gathered my memories into the book If This Is a Man, which met with success when published in Italy and was then translated into English, German, French, and Finnish.[2]

I hope I have fulfilled your requirements; I look forward to receiving the proofs, for which I thank you in advance.

I warmly shake your hand

Primo Levi

Turin, 19 avril 1961

Mr. Hermann Langbein
Comité International d’Auschwitz
VIENNE

Cher ami,

je m’empresse de Vous envoyer la notice biographique[1] que vous me demandez. Je suis né à Turin en 1919, de famille juive. J’ai toujours étudié à Turin, et j’ai été reçu docteur en Chimie en 1941. Au mois de septembre 1943, à la suite de la capitulation de l’armée italienne, la Wehrmacht occupa le nord de l’Italie: je m’enfuis dans les montagnes d’Aoste, et rejoignis une bande de partisans adhérant au «Partito l’Azione» (à peu près, parti Travailliste).

Je fus capturé par les fascistes le 13 décembre ’43, reconnu comme juif, et envoyé au Lager BUNA-Monowitz (Auschwitz), où je reçus le matricule 174517. J’ai travaillé d’abord au K.do 85 (transports); au mois de juin 1944, ayant pu démonstrer ma qualité de chimiste, j’ai passé au K.do 98 (soi-disant Kommando Chimistes, en réalité transports de produits chimiques). Finalement, en novembre ’44, j’ai été accepté comme aide dans l’un des laboratoires des établissements I.G. Farben de Buna.

Le 11 janvier 1945 je tombai malade, et fus reçu au Krankenbau: de cette façon je pus éviter la terrible marche d’évacuation ordonnée par les SS, le 17 janvier. Je fus libéré par l’armée soviétique le 27 janvier.

Je vis maintenant a Turin de mon métier de chimiste. J’ai réuni mes mémoires dans le livre Se questo è un uomo, publié en Italie avec succès, et traduit ensuite en anglais, allemand, français et finlandais.[2]

J’espère avoir satisfait vos exigences; je reste dans l’attente des épreuves d’impression, dont je vous remercie par avance.

Je vous serre bien cordialement la main

Primo Levi

Turin, April 19, 1961

Mr. Hermann Langbein
International Auschwitz Committee
VIENNE

Dear friend,

I hasten to send you the biographical note[1] that you request. I was born in Turin in 1919 to a Jewish family. I always studied in Turin, and I received a degree in Chemistry in 1941. In September 1943, following the surrender of the Italian army, the Wehrmacht occupied northern Italy: I fled into the mountains of Aosta and joined a group of partisans belonging to the “Partito d’Azione” (more or less the Labor party).

I was captured by the fascists on December 13, ’43, identified as a Jew, and sent to the concentration camp BUNA-Monowitz (Auschwitz), where I received the identification number 174517. I first worked in Kommando 85 (transportation); in June 1944, having been able to demonstrate my profession of chemist, I moved to Kommando 98 (the so-called Chemists Kommando, which was actually transporting chemical products). Finally, in November ’44, I was accepted as an assistant in one of the laboratories of I.G. Farben at Buna.

On January 11, 1945 I became ill, and was sent to the infirmary: in this way, I avoided the horrible evacuation march ordered by the SS, on January 17. I was liberated by the Soviet army on January 27.

I now make my living in Turin as a chemist. I gathered my memories into the book If This Is a Man, which met with success when published in Italy and was then translated into English, German, French, and Finnish.[2]

I hope I have fulfilled your requirements; I look forward to receiving the proofs, for which I thank you in advance.

I warmly shake your hand

Primo Levi