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Bowdon woman publishes poignant book recounting father’s experiences in Auschwitz

A Bowdon author has published a poignant account of her father’s experiences in the Auschwitz concentration camp.

A Bowdon author has published a poignant account of her father’s experiences in the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Dorli Nauta has released her debut book, From A to A and Back Again, based on the memoirs of her father, Wim Nauta.

Originally from Amsterdam, Dorli said: “I am from a Dutch family; the Netherlands were occupied during the Second World War. In June 1943, all the young men between the ages of 18 to 20 were called up to work in Germany.

“The first time I found out that my father had been in Auschwitz was in 2001, when he told me that he was applying to the German Forced Labour Compensation Programme.

Copies of Dorli’s book, From A to A and Back Again

“I was shocked and surprised that he had been there and I asked him to write his memoirs of that time for me. He did so with the help of my mother because his eyesight was poor. He completed the task in 2002 and gave the memoirs to me at Easter of that year.

“He also gave me a photo album and documents, such as his ID card from I G Farben in Auschwitz, and a small diary.”

After her father died in 2002, Dorli’s mother found a bundle of letters written to Auschwitz during the time, mainly from Amsterdam, where his family still was, and Berlin, where some of his friends were.

She added: “These are the components that make up the book. I wrote it for my family so that they know where they’ve come from.”

The book is priced £16.99 (+ £2.90p&p) and can be ordered via Dorli at AtoAandbackagain@gmail.com.

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