Published: 2 February 2021
Last updated: 4 March 2024
IN 1972, A LETTER landed in Helena Citron’s mailbox on Tel Aviv’s Allenby Street. A woman she didn’t know had written her: “I hope you’re not shocked by the fact that in my total despair I’m writing you at this time. I know from my husband that when the two of you were at Auschwitz you were very close. Despite the horrific pain and sorrow you experienced at Auschwitz, I hope you’ll be willing to help my husband, who is now on trial for murdering many prisoners.”
Though dressed in the striped clothing worn by all prisoners, Citron is seen in the photo taken inside Auschwitz smiling, well-fed, standing straight and radiant
In the letter, Thea Wunsch, the wife of former SS officer Franz Wunsch, hinted at the affair her husband had with Citron. Because of that love story, Thea hoped, Citron would agree to testify in court on behalf of a Nazi.
Three photos were attached; one showed Citron in the death camp. Though dressed in the striped clothing worn by all prisoners, who are usually shown as broken human beings, Citron is seen smiling, well-fed, standing straight and radiant.
A second photo seems bizarre, very bizarre. The young Citron, a wide smile on her face, is standing next to a hut in a pastoral village, behind her a few chickens and relaxed-looking women. But Citron never was in that village. Someone had cut out her photo and pasted it on another in some strange montage. The third photo was lost, and no one can remember today what it showed.
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Photo: Helena Citron in Auschwitz. She is seen smiling, well-fed, standing straight and radiant in the photo, atypical for prisoners at the death camp. Credit: Ziv Berkovich
