Albert L. Winkler interview with Herbert K. and Erika W. Commichaux
Scope and Contents
Typescript of an interview (64 pages) conducted by Albert L. Winkler and Corey Clement on November 9, 2001. Commichaux tells about his position as a company commander in the German Army with the rank of captain. He participated in numerous campaigns including the invasion of Poland in 1939. He fought on the Russian front from 1941 to 1945, was wounded twice, and was captured by the United States Army in 1945.
Also included is an interview of Commichaux's wife, Erika, on the same day. She was a German civilian during the German occupation of parts of Russia during World War II. She witnessed aspects of the Holocaust and also some of the brutality involved in the occupation of Germany following the war. She also tells about joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after the war.
Dates
- 2001
Creator
- Commichaux, Herbert K., 1913-2003 (interviewee, Person)
- Commichaux, Erica W., 1920-2006 (interviewee, Person)
- Winkler, Albert L. (Albert Lynn) (1949-) (interviewer, Person)
Language of Materials
Materials are in German and English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Albert Winkler interview with Herbert K. and Erika W. Commichaux must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Biographical History
Herbert K. Commichaux (1913-2003) was an officer in the German Army during World War II from 1939 to 1945. He later migrated to the United States and settled in Lehi, Utah.
Biographical History
Erica W. Commichaux (1920-2006) was a German Mormon convert.
Extent
3 folders (0.24 linear ft.)
Custodial History
This interview was conducted for the department of Special Collections at Brigham Young University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated; Herbert Commichaux.
Appraisal
Utah and the American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th century Western & Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, 5.VII, 2007).
- Commichaux, Erica W., 1920-2006
- Commichaux, Herbert K., 1913-2003
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
- Interviews
- Latter Day Saint women -- Interviews
- Latter Day Saints -- Germany
- Material Types
- Military
- Oral Histories
- Politics, Government, and Law
- Typescripts
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Europe
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Poland
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Russia (Federation)
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, German
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Prisoners and prisons, American
- Title
- Register of Albert L. Winkler interview with Herbert K. and Erika W. Commichaux
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Benjamin Sipes
- Date
- 2011 May 11
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States