Object numberM2018/018:066
DescriptionSeries of documents in Hungarian and English relating to a claim against the West German Federal Republic for reparations, pursued by Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivors Ilona, Laszlo and Stephen Sarkadi. The 17 documents date from 1965 to 1972, when all three claims resulted in awards of compensation.
Documents include testimony by the three family members and their witnesses, medical certificates, correspondence with their lawyer - Dr. Gyarmati, and a Hungarian-language notice encouraging individuals to seek reparations.
The documents discuss traumatic wartime experiences, theft of property and valuables, loss of opportunity due to war, and lifelong medical and psychological issues.
The Sarkadi family originated in Kunszentmiklos, a large village south of Budapest.
Laszlo Sarkadi spent the majority of the World War II in forced labour, while his wife Ilona and her sons Joseph and Stephen fled to Budapest. The boys were eventually placed in hiding, sometimes separately. Both carried the trauma of this period with them for life.
The family lost many loved ones to the Holocaust. After the war, they rebuilt their lives in Budapest, and a third child - Emily - was born in 1947.
The family was eventually persecuted by the Communist government. By 1958, the nuclear family had migrated to Melbourne, along with Ilona's mother Margit Reisz. The family operated a restaurant from 1960-63.
Joseph was devastated by the death of his grandmother in 1963, and died in a car crash that same year.
Laszlo passed away in 1986, Stephen in 2004, and Ilona in 2010.
Documents include testimony by the three family members and their witnesses, medical certificates, correspondence with their lawyer - Dr. Gyarmati, and a Hungarian-language notice encouraging individuals to seek reparations.
The documents discuss traumatic wartime experiences, theft of property and valuables, loss of opportunity due to war, and lifelong medical and psychological issues.
The Sarkadi family originated in Kunszentmiklos, a large village south of Budapest.
Laszlo Sarkadi spent the majority of the World War II in forced labour, while his wife Ilona and her sons Joseph and Stephen fled to Budapest. The boys were eventually placed in hiding, sometimes separately. Both carried the trauma of this period with them for life.
The family lost many loved ones to the Holocaust. After the war, they rebuilt their lives in Budapest, and a third child - Emily - was born in 1947.
The family was eventually persecuted by the Communist government. By 1958, the nuclear family had migrated to Melbourne, along with Ilona's mother Margit Reisz. The family operated a restaurant from 1960-63.
Joseph was devastated by the death of his grandmother in 1963, and died in a car crash that same year.
Laszlo passed away in 1986, Stephen in 2004, and Ilona in 2010.
Production placeMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Production date 1965 - 1972
Subjectcompensation claims, lawyers, survivors, survival, testimonies, Post-War Life, hiding, forced labour, forced labour camps, stolen property, child survivors
Object namelegal documents
Materialpaper
Language
- Hungarian The Hungarian-language documents of M2018/018:066 are translated below
066a
8.12.65
Sarkadi (spitzer) László
I studied in the secondary school of Kunszentmiklós until 1919. I fled from there due to the atrocities (Hungarian Soviet Republic?) I fled to First to Dunapentele and then to Budapest and (116 Soroksari street). I then started fitter and turner apprenticeship and later worked as the journeyman then returned to my parents in Kunszentmiklos and worked in their construction materials and grain business. I married in 1934, taking over my parents’ business and lived there until 1942. We needed to leave there due to the constant harassment and because they took away my storage facilities and we moved to Csepel, (17 Szent László St). whenever I did not serve as a forced labourer I worked in the Weis Manfred factory (Jewish businessman who employed many Jewish men at this time).
I was called up in 1940 (Nagyszollos, Transylvanian reoccupation auxiliary force). From the military I was moved to 44 auxiliary Kiskörö (Jewish Military identification). Then we went to Ujkecsk (road railway construction) then to Solt (railway construction) and we were demobbed around the middle of 1941. A few months later I was called up for forced labour to the Kunsz auxiliary 105/4 company. Pahi-Orgovany road construction and shooting range construction. Demobbed around the end of 1942 (punishment minutes on being tied up dated September 15 1942). Early 1943 I was called up to the Albrecht barracks in Budapest. From there, Inarcs Kakucs (digging earthworks) then for a few weeks Aszod (construction of barracks) and then about 2 months part of the company restoring the Budapest Nyugati (western) railway station. Company 101/66 mostly removal of ruins/rubbish and rubble removal- reconstruction (Accommodation Bethlen square). Around march 1944 we were put into wagons and taken to the Toronyi pass, in the area of Nagylucska, Munkacs and Dolina (Transcarpathia) where they built tank traps and a road. At the end of 1944 we were sent towards Germany, but I escaped (Russian and Hungarian language identity paper from Munkacs [transcarpathia – now Ukraine] and Cegled [eastern Hungary]). Early in 1945, I found my family in the Jewish House, 7th district Vorosmarty and we moved to 8th District 34 Szigony Street. Then until about 1950 I worked as a leather smallgoods maker with my forced labourer comrade Dezso László . in 1949, I moved to Buda, to number 3 Pentelei Molnar Street, 2nd district. And I was an administrator at TEFU [this was a transportation company which transported heavy goods with trucks etc.]. in 1952 we moved to 13th district number 34 Vaci Street and I became a transportation officer and worked for a construction company. In 1956, with my sons, during the revolution my sons left Hungary for Australia and we left with a passport in 1957 on board the Toscana with the aid of the HIAS (Jewish aid organisation). Due to the tying up punishment and other hardships, I am mostly unable to work and I am 80% incapacitated and only work very little.
Documents in my possession are
Statement by the Rabbi here in Australia, punishment minutes, military ID paper with Jewish letters, forced labourer ID paper/pay book, my school certificates containing details of birth and religion, visa to the state of Israel with details.
066b
Sarkadi László. Re: László Sarkadi's German reparations case
Addressed to Dezso László optician: address 2701 Mildred Ave Chicago Illinois 60614
I/he was called up, early in 1943 to the Albrecht barracks in Budapest, from then sent to construction of Inarcs Kakucs-Aszod barracks Budapest Keleti Barracks (Eastern) Railway Station reconstruction, then Toronyi Pass in the lower Carpathians [transcarpathia], Munkach Nagylucska, Dolina anti-tank barriers/traps and in December 1944 a company was ordered to Germany.
When preparing the anti-tank traps, we were treated very badly. Two of us needed to carry large wooden trunks/stumps. I worked a lot with László Sarkadi (Spitzer). I am aware that he was healthy in Budapest but in Galicea he needed to visit the doctor frequently because he had complaints with his heart.
066c
Gus L. Guy November 28 1965
To Mr L. Sarki
Dear Mr Sarkadi,
Based on our phone conversation today, I am sending you a draft for synagogue membership and proof of address. Please get these signed and if at all possible have a stamp put on them so that the official nature of the document is apparent.
Would you please also compile what has been taken away individually from the 3 of you by the German and the Arrow Cross during the persecution - when, under what circumstances, i.e. jewellery, money, fur, clothes. The objects have to be individually evaluated according to contemporary value in Pengos.
Yours sincerely, [signature - Gyarmati]
066d
18.2.1966
letter to Gyarmati
Blackburn
Dear Counsellor,
With regard to our phone conversation, I am attaching the documents detailed below
1. Details of Mrs Simon in the case of Mrs László Sarkadi
2. Mrs László Sarkadi’s original birth certificate
3. Mrs Sarkadi’s Shutz pass (original copy)
4. László Sarkadi’s medical certificate provided by Dr. Szegö
5. László ’s Jewish military book (his ID for the military)
6. László ’s russian language ID paper on the way back from Galicea, and Hungarian ID on the back of
7. forced labour ID paper
8. The minutes of the punishment regarding Laszlo Sarkadi’s punishment (where he was tied up by his arms – the Hungarian word is 'kikote') - minutes of 15th September 1942
I would like to ask you if anything from above is no longer necessary, please send them back.
At the same time I let you know that I received from Cologne mine (317) and my wife’s (ends in 318) registration numbers. Should you need anything further or further information, please ring me if possible after hours on X number.
Regards [Unknown – likely László)
066e
Mrs László Sarkadi Rabai (Reisz Ilona)
I studied until 1932, four years of secondary school. I married in 1934. Early in 1944 (when the order was issued I needed to wear a yellow star) in the middle of 1944, immediately after this regulation was issued we were assigned a place at 59 Vorosmarty Street, a Yellow Star House. We moved from there in early 1945 after liberation. Statements in my poseession- rabbi statement, birth certificate, Swiss shutz pass, visa to Israel.
(Unfortunately I don’t have documents to prove the above but there are many here who are aware of this).
Sarkadi (Spitzer Stephen/Istvan)
I was 8 years old when I needed to wear the yellow star in similar circumstances to my mother, I was in Jewish House throughout the war.
066f
Gabriella Simon
Laszlo went to the German embassy, made a witness statement there and signed it. This is one of the 4 copies of the approximate abbreviated translation.
I know him from before the war and also during the war. we were not related, only friends, and we visited each other frequently. I believe that Mr Sarkadi had a business in Kunzentmiklos. At the time they complained to me that large German trucks took away their business’ goods. I frequently saw cards that Laszlo Sarkadi wrote from various forced labour camps. When he came home, he complained repeatedly about the inhumane treatment and difficult circumstances. He was a forced labourer for many years and spent only a short time at home. After he came home, he was ill for a long time.
I know that his son and wife had to wear a yellow star and lived in a Jewish House in Vorosmarty Street. I visited them frequently and they complained bitterly that Arrow cross and SS soldiers came to the house frequently. They dragged away a lot of people who then did not return, despite the fact that they had protective documents. They (Ilona and son) were constantly afraid even though they had a swiss protective document. But this was not always effective. When Mr. Sarkadi came home after the war, he said that his company was given over to the Germans, and when he became aware that the company was to be annihilated, he escaped and lived illegally until the Russians arrived.
066g
Terez Kotai 20.4.1966
Laszlo went to the German embassy, made a witness statement there and signed it. This is one of the 4 copies of the approximate abbreviated translation.
The registration number has not been obtained yet.
I lived at 45 Rozsa Street Budapest, I have known the Sarkadi family for many years, including in Kunszentmiklós. I know that their business was taken by the Nazis. I know that afterward they lived in Csepel in Szent László Street.
Mrs Sarkadi was born Reisz, and later Hungarianised her name to Rabai. She is a few years younger than I am. Currently they live in Barkley Street in Elwood. Their son Stephen who then would have been 6/7 also had to wear a yellow star. I know that Mrs Sarkadi had to live in a Jewish House in Vorosmarty St.
Mr. Sarkadi is a few years older than I am his name was originally Spitzer. I saw several censored cards he sent to his family from forced labour camps. He was at home a few times and I had discussions with him and his forced labour comrade who was also there, and they complained about the hard work they needed to do, and about their bad treatment. After the war when he came home, he told me that when they were driven towards Germany, they took from him his approximately 10,000 pengos in cash, a gold watch, rings and his Napoleon gold coins. When he realised that they were to be taken to a death camp, he escaped and lived illegally until the Russians arrived.
066h
Ilona Sarkadi 20.4.1966
Laszlo went to the German embassy, made a witness statement there and signed it. This is one of the 4 copies of the approximate abbreviated translation.
After the German occupation, in late march 1944 I was forced to wear a yellow star. In June I needed to leave my apartment and moved into 59 Vorosmarty St Budapest, where I stayed until the end of January 1945.
SS Soldiers and with them Arrow Cross soldiers came to this house frequently, they were cruel, unpleasant and we were only allowed to go out in the street for a few hours every day. I obtained a Swiss protective document (schutz pass) and it is due to this document that I survived.
With my husband, in Kunszentmiklós we owned a construction/farming business and the overwhelming majority of our goods were taken away by German trucks to the value of approx. 150,000 German marks.
I married my husband in 1934 and from 1940 he was in various forced labour battalions until the end of the war and was only demobbed or allowed on leave for a few months. In the last month (of the war) he was forced to Germany and he was hiding in undignified conditions to which no person should be subjected to. He had with him 10 pieces of 10 and 20 Napoleonic crowns. When he returned after the war he told me that the Germans took these coins off him. When he became aware that his company was going to be taken to a death camp, he escaped and since then he has been sick and not capable of working full time.
My son Stephen was born in 1938. I was with him and he also needed to wear a yellow star. He was sick then and for many years after and as a result lost 2 years of schooling.
066i
20th April 1966
László Sarkadi
Laszlo went to the German embassy, made a witness statement there and signed it. This is one of the 4 copies of the approximate abbreviated translation.
During the Nazi times, because I was Jewish, I was subject to a lot of persecution. When Transylvania was returned to us I was sent to auxiliary unity number 44 as a forced labourer. Railway construction Ujkecske-Solt-vasut epites. 41 February I was demobbed. In the middle of 1941 I was called up again to Kunszentmiklós – Orgovany 105/4 company/auxiliary and Pahi. They allowed me home at the end of 1942 and I was called up again in early 1943, inarcs Kakucs-Aszod barrack construction. (And then again) company restoring the Eastern Railway Station. 1944 Karpatalya and Dolina anti-tank traps. I was dragged to Germany. And after a few weeks in early 1945 I escaped and lived illegally in extremely bad circumstances. In Germany they robbed me of all my valuables and when I realised that I was meant to be sent to a death camp I escaped. My wedding ring, expensive gold watch, chain, 10,000 pengo and the napoleon coins. When the SS took over command, they treated us extremely brutally and placed spies among us. We had to give them everything we had. I got very weak during the incredibly hard forced labour and living in hiding. I was sick for many years and I never fully regained my health. I still cannot work to my full capacity. I mostly have to rely on my wife to take care of me and I only help her as much as my strength allows for us to be able to put bread on the table.
After the war, my sons escaped from Hungary and 6 months later they brought me here with the help of an Australian Jewish organisation. I arrived here on the ship Toscana at the end of 1957.
I require constant medical attention as my illness is getting increasingly worse. In Kunszentmiklós, my parents owned a grain and construction materials business. I was married in 1934 and took over the business. A short while after the Nazis occupied the country in 1944, the Germans took over our business and loaded the goods into German trucks.
What has been taken from me in Germany is approximately 15,000 marks and the goods which they took from me is approximately 150,000 marks.
Name of parents
Name of wife
All of us are of German descent, we talk in German at home, we read German newspapers.
My wife and my son were forced to wear a yellow star from march 1944. In June they had to move to a Jewish House where their freedom was curtailed and they were treated dreadfully.
066n
Attention!
Regarding new German reparation issues
I have just returned from Germany, where having negotiated with relevant bodies I became aware that even persons who settled in a western country after December 1 1965 are possibly still entitled to reparation under legislation being prepared. I don’t want to mislead anyone by saying that this legislation will be passed. But, as it is under discussion, I believe it is advisable for relevant people to register. We will undertake the registration at the moment free of charge
Please fill in the form below and send it as soon as you can. If the reparation possibility mentioned above is not relevant to you personally, please pass it to your acquaintances who may benefit from filling out this form.
Respectfully, Dr Ernest Varsany (***in Hungarian custom lawyers become Dr.)
Title Examiner
Name
Address
Town
Place of Birth
Time of birth
Country
Phone number
OVER THE PAGE –
Reparations
If you haven’t as yet received reparations and you arrived after December 31 1965, fill in the form below, cut it out and send it
Phone number and NY addresss
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ester Sarkadi-Clarke