Letter from Otto Herrmann to Inge Herrmann on 23 April 1939
Object numberM2020/023:074
TitleLetter from Otto Herrmann to Inge Herrmann on 23 April 1939
Creator Otto Herrmann
DescriptionLetter from Otto Herrmann in Magdeburg to his daughter Inge Herrmann in Sydney on 23 April 1939. The letter addresses little of import, but does state that Inge's mother Regina's running of the Jewish community kitchen has been "a great effort for her." Otherwise, Otto inquires after Inge's life in Sydney, and relays some news on the further immigrations of the community, as well as the status of the remaining people.
There is an associated letter from Regina Herrmann on the same date (M2020/023:073).
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.
There is an associated letter from Regina Herrmann on the same date (M2020/023:073).
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 1939-04-23
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 294.00 mm
height: 205.00 mm
Language
- German Magdeburg, 23/4.1939
My beloved little Inge!
I enjoyed your dear letter, which we received today, Sunday, very much, you see that we answer you by return of post, tomorrow, Monday, the airmail items leave Berlin early, if we didn't answer today, the letter wouldn't leave till Thursday and you would receive it 4 days later. I am very much delighted that you are moneywise, you have to make sure that you always have money for a rainy day. Have you answered the letter from Landsberg by now, I hope so. Mum just told me that she forgot something in the letter to you. How has your silk underwear fared and in particular your nightgowns, are you looking after them or are they already all ruined? From the Magdeburg people who have gone to Shanghai we receive very bad reports here, as from Litmanowitz, the family ? Pelz ?, they all write quite unhappy letters. Aunt Kate and grandma were greatly delighted about your birthday letter and they passed it onto us. I am going to send you a few newspapers soon. We were very interested in the picture of Richard Tauber(*), do you still remember how we liked to listen to him on the radio, back in Wolmirstedt? Mum has taken the running of the kitchen over, it is a great effort for her. Before she goes there early, she fixes the 3 bedrooms as well as it is possible, whatever remains to be done, I then do. ?...? Zimmerman had his bride (fiancé) visiting and staying with us, she is from Hamburg and she stayed for 3 days over Easter, she is about the same age as your Mum and she is already a grandma, we didn't like her at all, apart from that, she was already sick when she arrived, we don't believe that it will lead to a wedding. Do you get together with Gisela often and has she told you that the parents are not getting the permit, as we have been told, the gentleman who was going to give the guarantee has reneged, so he either has no money or he has tired of the matter, Jankos didn't mention it at all to us. All 3 Jankos take their meals at the Jewish kitchen, I am going to ask ?.....? Janko himself tomorrow. What are you going to do with all the garments you are being given, you are going to look like a princess. You can really be glad to be with such nice people, try to be as good as you have been and make every effort to satisfy them. We are going to write a letter to Mrs. W
. to thank her for everything she is doing for you and for us. The family ? Simonsohn? (trouserfactory) are going to Cuba, soon. Wolfinger to Erez Isr. Your letter from today is dated 9.4 but the stamped date is 11.4 and the place is Milson's Point, we have had that postal stamp before, how does that work, tell me, you know how I am interested in everything that is connected with you. Now, my dear child, I am going to finish for today. We are healthy, G-d be thanked, and that is the most important thing. Hopefully you obtain for us a permit, the most important thing is, that it is not rejected, then we are happy to wait and to make do/restrict ourselves.
With many clear greetings and kisses and with lots of love, your Daddy
(*) famous singer
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.