Kennkarte
Object numberM2000/031:005
TitleKennkarte
CreatorNazi Germany
DescriptionThis Kennkarte, issued to 14 year old Heinz Beurer on 21 February 1941, is a civil identity document which began being issued in Germany in March 1939. As of July 1938, every German citizen over the age of 15 was required to carry a Kennkarte at all times; another measure in a broader plan to bring an end to Jewish assimilation in German society. Heinz was born on 19 April 1927.
Deutsches Reich Kennkartes were constructed from durable linen material to ensure their longevity within a climate of heightened and incessant persecution. The expense of the material and complex manufacturing process of these documents posed difficulties in the production of forgeries. Jewish citizenry were forced to adopt middle names of either Sara or Israel and a Hebraic J was printed internally and externally, allowing for instant identification.
As the war progressed, citizens of German occupied territories were also issued with similar documents. Both material and design varied between countries. In Poland, the underground resistance discovered an administrative loophole in the provision of replacement documents for those lost or destroyed and were able to provide hundreds of Polish Jews with false identities. In the face of increasing persecution, ingenuity became a necessity of survival.
Part of a collection of documents such as ration coupons issued by the Jewish Self Government in Theresienstadt, Kennkarte (identity document), Terezin currency, work cards and a poem, 'Das Lied von Theresienstadt' (The Song of Theresienstadt) by Walter Lindenbaum, donated by Heinz Beurer.
Heinz Beurer was born in Stuttgart, Germany on 19 April 1927. He was deported to Theresienstadt on 18 February 1945, aged 17 (almost 18) - one of the final deportations to Terezin. At the time he was a student in high school. His 1941 Kennkarte (ID card) was stamped with a 'J' for Jew, and had a middle name 'Israel' inserted; it is also stamped 'Evakuiert' (evacuated/deported). Initially he was employed on a special deployment working on a construction site in Theresienstadt, and then as a member of the Health Department as a stretcher bearer (carrying sick or dead bodies). He received additional rations for the month of May 1945 for 'Schwerarbeiter' (heavy duty work) as he was performing the role of Krankentrager (stretcher bearer), to which he was appointed on 3 May 1945, just days before liberation.
After the war, Heinz went back to Germany and lived in Ditzingen, Stuttgart. On a visit to Sydney in 1999, he met one of the Sydney Jewish Museum survivors, Lotte, and later posted his memorabilia to her at the Museum. Nothing is known about him other than what can be gleaned from his documents.
Deutsches Reich Kennkartes were constructed from durable linen material to ensure their longevity within a climate of heightened and incessant persecution. The expense of the material and complex manufacturing process of these documents posed difficulties in the production of forgeries. Jewish citizenry were forced to adopt middle names of either Sara or Israel and a Hebraic J was printed internally and externally, allowing for instant identification.
As the war progressed, citizens of German occupied territories were also issued with similar documents. Both material and design varied between countries. In Poland, the underground resistance discovered an administrative loophole in the provision of replacement documents for those lost or destroyed and were able to provide hundreds of Polish Jews with false identities. In the face of increasing persecution, ingenuity became a necessity of survival.
Part of a collection of documents such as ration coupons issued by the Jewish Self Government in Theresienstadt, Kennkarte (identity document), Terezin currency, work cards and a poem, 'Das Lied von Theresienstadt' (The Song of Theresienstadt) by Walter Lindenbaum, donated by Heinz Beurer.
Heinz Beurer was born in Stuttgart, Germany on 19 April 1927. He was deported to Theresienstadt on 18 February 1945, aged 17 (almost 18) - one of the final deportations to Terezin. At the time he was a student in high school. His 1941 Kennkarte (ID card) was stamped with a 'J' for Jew, and had a middle name 'Israel' inserted; it is also stamped 'Evakuiert' (evacuated/deported). Initially he was employed on a special deployment working on a construction site in Theresienstadt, and then as a member of the Health Department as a stretcher bearer (carrying sick or dead bodies). He received additional rations for the month of May 1945 for 'Schwerarbeiter' (heavy duty work) as he was performing the role of Krankentrager (stretcher bearer), to which he was appointed on 3 May 1945, just days before liberation.
After the war, Heinz went back to Germany and lived in Ditzingen, Stuttgart. On a visit to Sydney in 1999, he met one of the Sydney Jewish Museum survivors, Lotte, and later posted his memorabilia to her at the Museum. Nothing is known about him other than what can be gleaned from his documents.
Production placeStuttgart, Germany
Production date 21.2.1941 1941
Production periodWorld War II (1939-1945)
Subjectchildren, Kennkarte, discrimination
Object nameidentity cards
Materiallinen
Dimensions
- width: 200.00 mm
height: 140.00 mm
Language
- German
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Heinz Beurer