Object numberM1991/018:007
DescriptionPostcard from Anyi (mother), Opi (grandfather), Ili (Ilona) and Gyurka (George in familiar sense) to Dr Lazslo Adler at the address H825 (his identity number); postmarked Kaposvar, 29 June 1944. Such postcards were the only kind of communication permitted to people in forced labour. The postcard is the last letter written before deportation: It reads: "Dear Laci, We are saying good-bye because we can't inform you of an address for the time being. Anyi is in a bad condition. I am hoping she will be able to bear the journey. We would love to trust that we will be able to meet again. With everlasting love, Anyi and Opi, Ily Gyurka." On the top left of the official side of the postcard: "The future peace and flourishing of Hungary is being decided on the battlegrounds of the Soviet Union."
Anti-Jewish legislation was passed in Hungary beginning in March 1938 and in the spring of 1942 the Hungarian antisemitic regime began to draft large numbers of Jewish-Hungarian men into forced labour companies – two years before Nazi Germany dispatched troops to Hungary. Over a two-year period, some 45,000 Jewish men were forced to accompany Hungarian troops to the battle zone of the Former Soviet Union. The Hungarian authorities considered these men unworthy of bearing arms, yet demanded they take part in the war against Stalin and his forces. Practically no Jewish-Hungarian family was untouched; many husbands, fathers and brothers never returned, dying from battle, starvation, disease, harsh labour and murder.
Anti-Jewish legislation was passed in Hungary beginning in March 1938 and in the spring of 1942 the Hungarian antisemitic regime began to draft large numbers of Jewish-Hungarian men into forced labour companies – two years before Nazi Germany dispatched troops to Hungary. Over a two-year period, some 45,000 Jewish men were forced to accompany Hungarian troops to the battle zone of the Former Soviet Union. The Hungarian authorities considered these men unworthy of bearing arms, yet demanded they take part in the war against Stalin and his forces. Practically no Jewish-Hungarian family was untouched; many husbands, fathers and brothers never returned, dying from battle, starvation, disease, harsh labour and murder.
Production date 1944-06-29
Object namepostcards
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- whole width: 141.00 mm
height: 104.00 mm
Language
- Hungarian "Dear Laci, We are saying good-bye because we can't inform you of an address for the time being. Anyi is in a bad condition. I am hoping she will be able to bear the journey. We would love to trust that we will be able to meet again. With everlasting love, Anyi and Opi, Ily Gyurka."
On the top left of the official side of the postcard: "The future peace and flourishing of Hungary is being decided on the battlegrounds of the Soviet Union."
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Dr Laszlo Adler