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Testimonies of Kristallnacht: 'The headmaster began to weep and everybody broke down'

On 9 November 1938, the Nazis began destroying synagogues and looting Jewish businesses in what became known as the night of broken glass.

The Association of Jewish Refugees members’ Albert Lester and Thea Valman gave their vivid eyewitness accounts at the charity’s annual Kristallnacht service.

Ms Valman was 4 years old in Austria's capital, Vienna the night of the attacks.

“I could hear the smashing of glass outside and I found my parents white faced," she remembers.

Albert Lester was 11 years old and studying at a boarding school in provincial Germany.

“The headmaster of the school began to weep and at that moment everybody broke down,” recalls Albert.

They both now live in London, and they came into our studio to share their stories.

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9 minutes