Der Lagerleiter Peter Betsche - ein mikrohistorischer Beitrag zur Geschichte der Schweizer Flüchtlingspolitik im Zweiten Weltkrieg.

During the Second World War, refugees in Switzerland were largely housed in work camps and homes for refugees that were under the supervision of the Central Administration for Work Camps (ZL). Camp life was a defining experience for many refugees. In 1943, Peter Betsche-Reber worked for a few months as director of a home for refugees in Bellevue, Neuhausen. His private papers from this time give insight into his work with refugees, work which not only affected him but also served as practical experience he used, following his wishes, to later find employment doing social work. His social commitment was also visible in his work at this home, as he became active on behalf of individuals and also helped organize leisure activities there. He was opposed both politically and by the ZL. For personal reasons, he stopped working as director after a few months but continued to support refugees both through the lectures he gave and by continuing to help individual refugees he had met. A microhistorical approach supplements previous research as well as the reports of others who had helped refugees in Switzerland during the Second World War. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]