Letter from Amely Krug to Joan Harris
Object numberM2020/023:027
TitleLetter from Amely Krug to Joan Harris
Creator Amely Krug
DescriptionInitial letter from Amely Krug to Joan Harris on 5 December 1946, on her account of knowing Joan's relative Kaethe Manneberg up until her deportation to the ghetto Theresienstadt, and the limited contact she had from her following that. The letter mentions the fear that Kaethe held about travelling around Berlin wearing the 'Star.'
Part of a collection of over 60 letters to Inge-Ruth Poppert (nee Herrmann) from 1937 to 1957, as well as memorabilia and personal documents that detail the Holocaust experiences of the Herrmann family, and the establishment Inge's life in Sydney, Australia.
Inge was born on 12 October 1922 in Wolmirstedt, near Magdeburg, Germany to Otto and Kate-Regina Herrmann (nee Manneberg). Inge lived in Wolmirstedt, but attended school in Madgeburg from 1933. The family relocated to the city of Magdeburg in 1935 where Otto owned two shops. Due to anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish legislation, Otto had lost his clothing business in Wolmirstedt. However, from 1937 with the increasing Aryanisation of Jewish assets and property, the Herrmann family again forcibly lost their remaining businesses and way of life.
Despite the worsening risk to all Jews in Germany, Inge's parents initially resisted emigration, though in 1937 they decided that their daughter should leave. Inge was approved to go to Australia after being assessed in Berlin. She arrived in Sydney via London in September 1938.
Otto and Regina lived in increasing poverty and anxiety. Otto was arrested in 1938 and sent to Buchenwald for a brief period before being released. In October 1942 they were deported to Theresienstadt. Inge received no sign of life from her parents from 1944 and only learned years after the war that they were deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where they were murdered.
Part of a collection of over 60 letters to Inge-Ruth Poppert (nee Herrmann) from 1937 to 1957, as well as memorabilia and personal documents that detail the Holocaust experiences of the Herrmann family, and the establishment Inge's life in Sydney, Australia.
Inge was born on 12 October 1922 in Wolmirstedt, near Magdeburg, Germany to Otto and Kate-Regina Herrmann (nee Manneberg). Inge lived in Wolmirstedt, but attended school in Madgeburg from 1933. The family relocated to the city of Magdeburg in 1935 where Otto owned two shops. Due to anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish legislation, Otto had lost his clothing business in Wolmirstedt. However, from 1937 with the increasing Aryanisation of Jewish assets and property, the Herrmann family again forcibly lost their remaining businesses and way of life.
Despite the worsening risk to all Jews in Germany, Inge's parents initially resisted emigration, though in 1937 they decided that their daughter should leave. Inge was approved to go to Australia after being assessed in Berlin. She arrived in Sydney via London in September 1938.
Otto and Regina lived in increasing poverty and anxiety. Otto was arrested in 1938 and sent to Buchenwald for a brief period before being released. In October 1942 they were deported to Theresienstadt. Inge received no sign of life from her parents from 1944 and only learned years after the war that they were deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where they were murdered.
Production placeGermany
Production date 1946-12-05
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 215.00 mm
height: 275.00 mm
Language
- German From Emely Krug (nee Sanger). 05/12/1946.
Dear Miss Harris:
When my girl-friend Kaethe Manneberg of Charlottenburg, Markgraf Albrechtsrasse realised that she also would be affected by the Jews, she gave me your address so I could let you know all the information about the fate of the relatives of her nephew Guenter Manneberg and her niece Inge Herrmann. Whether you are still at the same address, lets hope. At least I am going to try to keep my promise.
Kaethe was working at the Jewish aid society in Kant street during the last years and it seemed that she would be allowed to stayed here. She came to see us often, but when she decided she could no longer use the tram on account of having to wear the star, I went to her place of work and tried to supply her with foodstuffs. One day in the year 1943 she was no longer there, it was no longer there, it was a total surprise, but I assumed, she was no longer there, it was a total surprise, but I assumed, she was with her mother. After half a year a Quaker-lady showed me a card she had received from Kaethe on which she wrote that she was well, considering the circumstances. That she was working as a nurse in Theresienstadt looking after old people, and she was glad to be able to be of assistance. That was in November 1943. Following this I sent her 4 parcels, one after the other, two of which she acknowledged to have received, in her own handwriting on a card. The last one may have arrived at the end of September 1944. When people arrived back from Theresienstadt, I hoped Kaethe would be amongst them, but unfortunately, she was not. I was told she may be in Switzerland to recuperate, but I received no news from there. I have not made any further inquiries, but would do so, if you were requesting me to do so. I am in possession of some cash and jewellery she had left with me, however the clothing articles I had been given were lost when our house burnt down. We lost everything. However, I know that quite a few things were left with Grete Eichapfel, whose house was preserved. I would be glad if you were to receive this letter and if you could contact me.
With cordial greetings, Amely Krug (nee Saenger)
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Kim Poppert
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.