Object numberM2019/038:008
DescriptionBlue, metal suitcase or footlocker which contained the personal archive of Mike Lewis; the British sergeant cameraman who filmed the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and other WWII operations.
Mike Lewis was born Colman Michael Wiessenberg, in London on 6 February 1918. He was the son of Polish Jews who had come to Britain before the First World War. Mike was called up in 1940 and joined the Royal Fusiliers, but volunteered for the Parachute regiment in December 1941 to escape the boring routine of Infantry. He successfully passed through the tough parachute training course, despite a fear of heights. He served in several engagements against the Afrika Corps in Algiers and was wounded in the arms and legs. After hospitalisation in Tunis, Lewis joined the newly formed AFPU in Algiers when he heard they were setting up an Airborne Section. He took part in the airborne invasion of Sicily, but his plane was hit by flak and returned to the UK. From there he went on to cover the battle for the bridge at Arnhem and was one of the few to escape. The following year he was sent to cover the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp from 15-26 April 1945. He was a member of the flying column that pushed beyond the battle lines to occupy Denmark. After the war, Mike went on to work as a news cameraman for the BBC until his retirement. He died in Australia on 8 April 1986.
Mikes daughter discovered this suitcase containing his archive when she was a young girl and was confronted by images of Bergen-Belsen. It had an immense impact on her later in life and inspired her to research and write about her fathers experiences.
Mike Lewis was born Colman Michael Wiessenberg, in London on 6 February 1918. He was the son of Polish Jews who had come to Britain before the First World War. Mike was called up in 1940 and joined the Royal Fusiliers, but volunteered for the Parachute regiment in December 1941 to escape the boring routine of Infantry. He successfully passed through the tough parachute training course, despite a fear of heights. He served in several engagements against the Afrika Corps in Algiers and was wounded in the arms and legs. After hospitalisation in Tunis, Lewis joined the newly formed AFPU in Algiers when he heard they were setting up an Airborne Section. He took part in the airborne invasion of Sicily, but his plane was hit by flak and returned to the UK. From there he went on to cover the battle for the bridge at Arnhem and was one of the few to escape. The following year he was sent to cover the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp from 15-26 April 1945. He was a member of the flying column that pushed beyond the battle lines to occupy Denmark. After the war, Mike went on to work as a news cameraman for the BBC until his retirement. He died in Australia on 8 April 1986.
Mikes daughter discovered this suitcase containing his archive when she was a young girl and was confronted by images of Bergen-Belsen. It had an immense impact on her later in life and inspired her to research and write about her fathers experiences.
Production placeEngland
Production date 1939 - 1945
Object namesuitcases
Dimensions
- width: 720 mm
height: 410 mm
depth: 235 mm
lid depth: 75 mm
base depth: 170 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Helen Lewis. This collection was donated in memory of Mike Lewis who filmed the liberation Bergen-Belsen concentration camp as part of the British Army Film and Photographic Unit.