Bescheinigung
Object numberM2007/093:009
TitleBescheinigung
DescriptionA photocopy of a 28 December 1949 official testimony from the Mayor of Halbe, Germany, concerning the deportation of Alexander and Pauline (nee Loewenstein) Jacobius. The certificate states, in German, that the couple, of Jewish faith, were honest business people living in the Halbe Kreis Teltow area for many years before they were transported by the NSDAP on 11 April 1942. While local witnesses could attest to the date of their transport, the destination was unknown. It is signed by the Mayor. Additional sources later indicated that Alexander and Pauline were deported from Halbe, Germany, to Berlin, then to Warsaw and that they perished in Treblinka. Their son, Heinz Jacobius (Henry James), was a Dunera Boy who arrived in Australia in 1940.
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 placeHalbe, Germany
Production date 1949-12-28
Subjectdeportation, concentration camps, families, parents, victims
Object nameofficial correspondence
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 205.00 mm
height: 160.00 mm
Language
- German Town Hall of Halbe; Halbe, 28 December 1949
Testimony
The married couple Alexander and Pauline Jacobius, maiden name Loewenstein, both of Jewish Religion, had been living in the Halbe-Teltow area for many years until they were sent in a transport by the NSDAP. We do not know where the transport went. They have always been honest business people and struggled to make a living.
By witness of the local people, we were informed that the transport left 11 April 1942.
The Mayor of Halbe
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Henry James