Letter from Otto Herrmann to Inge Herrmann on 5 December 1938
Object numberM2020/023:063
TitleLetter from Otto Herrmann to Inge Herrmann on 5 December 1938
Creator Otto Herrmann
DescriptionLetter from Otto Herrmann in Magdeburg to his daughter Inge Herrmann in Sydney on 5 December 1938. Otto writes after his near month-long internment in Buchenwald concentration camp following his and his brother-in-law Heinrich's arrest during the events of Kristallnacht. Although the translation is not clear, he appears to relay that he was released to Magdeburg around the 1-2 December, only now on the 5th feeling able to write to his daughter. Otto relays that the experience has left him feeling weak, and he had some injuries to his hands.
Otto also relays how "Immediately after my return I had to report to the Gestapo in order to sign that by the latest of 31 March 1939 I will be leaving Germany." He speaks of how his brother-in-law Heinrich had arrived the day before and was sending his son Guenther to England within the week. Heinrich was sending off an affidavit for a permit for for America, and Otto and Regina were placing their hopes in Inge to organise a permit for them to Australia. Otto says that they "want to be together with our child" in Australia. Otto states that with all this underway "we will be scattered to the four winds."
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.
Otto also relays how "Immediately after my return I had to report to the Gestapo in order to sign that by the latest of 31 March 1939 I will be leaving Germany." He speaks of how his brother-in-law Heinrich had arrived the day before and was sending his son Guenther to England within the week. Heinrich was sending off an affidavit for a permit for for America, and Otto and Regina were placing their hopes in Inge to organise a permit for them to Australia. Otto says that they "want to be together with our child" in Australia. Otto states that with all this underway "we will be scattered to the four winds."
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 1938-12-05
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 298.00 mm
height: 207.00 mm
Language
- German Magdeburg, 05/12/1938.
My deepest loving Ingelein, At night from 1st To 2nd of December, I am exactly, after weekly (?) absence, well, although very much weaker, having arrived here, I have now finally gotten ready to write to you. You will have gathered from broadcasts and local newspapers what has happened here. And you will be able to imagine our needy position. Immediately after my return I had to report to the Gestapo in order to sign that by the latest of 31/03/1939 I will be leaving Germany. You, my good child will see that somehow will
. As far as possible have to secure a permit, because in any case we want to be together with our child and not, as now go to China (?), that is
.. Guenther arrived last night, uncle Heinrich is back from his trip since yesterday. Guenther will probably leave for 1
to England this week. As for uncle Heinrich an affidavid to the USA is underway and we will be scattered into all 4 winds. You will
.. see if I am writing unclearly, but I had a swelling on the right index finger so that I am not holding the pen properly. I am very happy that you have met up with such nice people. Hopefully you will be able to permanently perform properly in your position
..and be hard working and tidy so that we may with Gods help come to Australia and hear only about good things from you. L
.and K
and are interrupting me in writing. Do write some time to Mrs
.A
., perhaps we know (?) these people, despite the fact, you would have to
. help , in any case do try. And now, dear Ingelein I will have to close now for to-day, do write without delay, keep well and regards to you with kisses from your father, your dear Father.
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.