Capture
Alexander was born on February 22, 1909, and was the son of a jewish lawyer. On June 22, 1941 he was placed in the Soviet Red Army. A few months later in October his unit was captured.In August he was sent to a work camp in Minsk. The camp was horrible, and everyday someone would die.In September 1943 Alexander was sent to Soibor Extermination camp. There he was forced to work, and was defiant to a SS officer after beating the officer in a gamble. Soon after he began plans to escape, and at the same time exterminate SS officers and other nazis.
Escape
The plan was to kill as many SS officers secretly, then begin the escape. the plan was executed at 4 p.m. October 14 1943. Prisoners were running everywhere, because very few knew what was happening. Alexander managed to escape through the woods. Many guards were killed, and there were 53 escapees out of the 550 prisoners in the camp. Afterwards Heinrich Himmler ordered the camp destroyed and replaced wiht trees.
After the Escape
In the woods Alexander led 50 of the men, but split up into smaller groups. he and another Soviet finally found other Russians. He was trialed by the Russians, and was placed in the front lines for being a POW. It was the fiercest fighting in the front lines, but Alexander survived. Soon after for surviving he was awarded the medal of bravery, and was promoted to captain.