Liebe Eltern
Object numberM2007/093:005
TitleLiebe Eltern
Creator Henry James (author)
DescriptionHandwritten letter, in German, dated 8 November, 1941 (22nd letter); the back of the letter doubles as an envelope. It was written by Heinz Jacobius (Henry James), Internee No. E39826/5, Hut Compound B, No. 2 Internment Camp, Victoria, Australia, to his parents, Mr Alexander (and Pauline) Jacobius, Lindenstrasse No. 32, Halbe, Kreis Teltow, Germany. The letter was sent through the "Prisoner of War" Service and was opened and passed by the Censor. It relays news of friends in Australia and enquires after others who were in the USA. It also reports on the weather in Australia and conveys Heinz's best wishes to his family and relatives in Germany. There is also a short post-script note from Walter Dick, sending his best wishes for the future. The letter was returned to Heinz with a handwritten note: "Unbekannt umgezogen" - "Unknown/moved/left", and signed by Dommish, the local mailman - a euphemism for, "they have left to the extermination camp". This would not be something that the postman could write openly.
Part of a collection of documents, photographs, letters and military memorabilia donated to the Sydney Jewish Museum by Heinz Jacobius (Henry James).
Heinz Jacobius was born in 1922 in Halbe, Germany, to Alexander and Pauline (nee Loewenstein) Jacobius. Alarmed by the news of the war and the persecution of the Jews, Heinz was sent to England. There he got caught in the internment of “enemy aliens”. Aged 18, he became one of the 1,750 Jewish refugees who were shipped on 10 July 1940 on the HMT Dunera from Liverpool to Australia - together with 800 other enemy aliens. The dangerous voyage took 57 days and left a lasting impression on the detainees. On arrival in Sydney on 6 September 1940, the detainees were incarcerated behind barbed wire in remote camps in Hay in New South Wales and Tatura in Victoria, guarded by friendly elderly armed Australian reservists, under the watchful eye of a Military Commandant. It was left to the new arrivals to organise camp life, which was filled with a rich program of cultural events and educational and vocational activities. Internees were gradually released, beginning in late 1940. Of the 2,542 Dunera passengers, two thirds made the decision to leave Australia. Almost half accepted the offer to return to England or to other countries that were open to new arrivals.
When given the opportunity to join the Australian military, Heinz enlisted on 8 April 1942 and served in the Citizen Military Forces employment companies until 5 July 1946; a total effective period of 1,549 days and all within Australia. Heinz remained in contact with his parents in Germany until early 1942 when his letters came back unopened and marked ‘Return to sender’. He later learned that his parents were murdered in Treblinka. He kept in contact with his uncle and aunt, Max and Margarete Loewenstein (Pauline's brother), and their son Hans-Joachim, who had immigrated to Australia in 1938 and had started a chicken farm called, ‘Loewenstein’s Chickens.’
Part of a collection of documents, photographs, letters and military memorabilia donated to the Sydney Jewish Museum by Heinz Jacobius (Henry James).
Heinz Jacobius was born in 1922 in Halbe, Germany, to Alexander and Pauline (nee Loewenstein) Jacobius. Alarmed by the news of the war and the persecution of the Jews, Heinz was sent to England. There he got caught in the internment of “enemy aliens”. Aged 18, he became one of the 1,750 Jewish refugees who were shipped on 10 July 1940 on the HMT Dunera from Liverpool to Australia - together with 800 other enemy aliens. The dangerous voyage took 57 days and left a lasting impression on the detainees. On arrival in Sydney on 6 September 1940, the detainees were incarcerated behind barbed wire in remote camps in Hay in New South Wales and Tatura in Victoria, guarded by friendly elderly armed Australian reservists, under the watchful eye of a Military Commandant. It was left to the new arrivals to organise camp life, which was filled with a rich program of cultural events and educational and vocational activities. Internees were gradually released, beginning in late 1940. Of the 2,542 Dunera passengers, two thirds made the decision to leave Australia. Almost half accepted the offer to return to England or to other countries that were open to new arrivals.
When given the opportunity to join the Australian military, Heinz enlisted on 8 April 1942 and served in the Citizen Military Forces employment companies until 5 July 1946; a total effective period of 1,549 days and all within Australia. Heinz remained in contact with his parents in Germany until early 1942 when his letters came back unopened and marked ‘Return to sender’. He later learned that his parents were murdered in Treblinka. He kept in contact with his uncle and aunt, Max and Margarete Loewenstein (Pauline's brother), and their son Hans-Joachim, who had immigrated to Australia in 1938 and had started a chicken farm called, ‘Loewenstein’s Chickens.’
Production placeAustralia
Production date 1941-11-08
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- letter width: 203.00 mm
letter height: 243.00 mm
flap width: 152.00 mm
flap height: 72.00 mm
Language
- German Dear Parents,
I have had the first news from Stefan Beermann yesterday. He was very surprised to have got a letter from me. Since his arrival he is occupied in the country side. For 14 months he was on a pig farm and is now already for a short time on a chicken farm, which he enjoys greatly. I never knew that Stefan's mother also lived here. As you will remember Stefan came here by plane. He still knows a few of our young-ones [?], he will do for me whatever he can. That is all I can report to you about that.
In your place winter is slowly beginning, I would have difficulty adapting to a cold climate. Here one does hardly need any winter clothing.
Have you heard anything from the Kammitzers in the USA in the meantime? They will have got my letter in the meantime. With best regards to all relatives and you as well.
Your son Heinz
Best regard and the very best for the future, Walter Dick
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Henry James