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I was discharged in January of 1947. I had taken a leave of absence once; for the wedding of my older sister. I was on leave for exactly fifteen days. I think it was at the end of 1945 or beginning of 1946. I had one older sister in my life and it was very important to me to be present at that wedding.
During these military years, malaria happened frequently, and I contracted it during my period of apprenticeship. Fever goes up to 40 – 41˚C, but the next day there would be no fever whatsoever. We would lie in the infirmary for a few days, and there were medicines like quinine, and antiprin, I would take them and get along.
Of course I lost quite a bit of weight during that time. The military served me as a major lesson in my life. I forgot about being a child of the streets, and learned about obeying given orders, that is to say, I learned discipline. Everyone would be wearing the same uniform, and treated the same way, and I benefited a lot from the military.
I was 23 years old when the military service ended. At first, I wanted to do a business that I liked. I was in the business of representation and commerce before the military. I took care of banking for an importing firm. However, on my return from the military, I learned that the firm had closed.
During these military years, malaria happened frequently, and I contracted it during my period of apprenticeship. Fever goes up to 40 – 41˚C, but the next day there would be no fever whatsoever. We would lie in the infirmary for a few days, and there were medicines like quinine, and antiprin, I would take them and get along.
Of course I lost quite a bit of weight during that time. The military served me as a major lesson in my life. I forgot about being a child of the streets, and learned about obeying given orders, that is to say, I learned discipline. Everyone would be wearing the same uniform, and treated the same way, and I benefited a lot from the military.
I was 23 years old when the military service ended. At first, I wanted to do a business that I liked. I was in the business of representation and commerce before the military. I took care of banking for an importing firm. However, on my return from the military, I learned that the firm had closed.
Period
Location
Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Türkiye
Interview
Nesim Levi