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Forced recruitment in World War II (People 2024, by Nik Egger) - Swiss Press Award

Ehrentafel von Viktor Begle in seinem Zimmer in der Bieler Altersresidenz Schlössli, 24.07.23, Biel.
Nik Egger
Ehrentafel von Viktor Begle in seinem Zimmer in der Bieler Altersresidenz Schlössli, 24.07.23, Biel.
2nd place
Photo / People
2024

Forced recruitment in World War II

Nik Egger

Viktor Begle, born in 1927, has had an eventful life. The plaque of honour in his home, a retirement residence in Biel, depicts fallen soldiers from the town of his birth, Schlins, Austria. During the Second World War, Begle, now 15 years old, was forcibly conscripted into the German Wehrmacht. In the last days of the war he was almost killed and was instead taken prisoner by the Americans. After his release, his homeland was occupied and Begle emigrated to Switzerland. In Biel, he made a name for himself as a baker. In old age he tells his story to the Bieler Tagblatt.

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Forced recruitment in World War II

Bieler Tagblatt und auf ajour.ch

2nd place
Photo / People
2024

Nik Egger

Viktor Begle, born in 1927, has had an eventful life. The plaque of honour in his home, a retirement residence in Biel, depicts fallen soldiers from the town of his birth, Schlins, Austria. During the Second World War, Begle, now 15 years old, was forcibly conscripted into the German Wehrmacht. In the last days of the war he was almost killed and was instead taken prisoner by the Americans. After his release, his homeland was occupied and Begle emigrated to Switzerland. In Biel, he made a name for himself as a baker. In old age he tells his story to the Bieler Tagblatt.

Author
Nik Egger / Swiss Press Award

Nik Egger

Fotograf, Bern, 1987

Nik Egger started his career as a cameraman in television and film. He then completed his photography training at the School of Journalism (MAZ) in Lucerne. After working and assisting in the studio of Guy Jost in Berne for several years, he now works as a photographer for various magazines and newspapers. The narrative is always at the center of Egger`s photographic work. Whether portraiture or reportage, he often interprets themes by means of one or more sequences. Strongly influenced by the moving image, he looks for the right format, the right narrative form, the right approach to each story.

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