The Mascot

Mark Kurzem

Mark Kurzem shares the astonishing true story of his father Alex, and his long kept secret of survival during the Second World War. At five years of age Alex Kurzem watched from a tree as the entire Jewish population of his village, including his family, were murdered by a German led execution squad. His life alone lead him to months of scavenging in the forests of Russia. After capture by the Latvian police, he became the mascot for an SS company, and was used to further the Nazi propaganda machine. Good fortune lead Alex into the care of a Latvian family and a new home in Australia far from war torn Europe. Paperback, photographs, second edition, 340 pages.