Object numberM2009/052:022
DescriptionHandwritten letter in German on paper which can be folded into an envelope from Leo Botknecht, internee No 54622 to Siegmund Grunfeld of Rose Bay and bears a censor’s mark. In it Leo talks about the relief of finally getting a telegram from his parents in Brooklyn, USA stating "safely arrived" and troubles he is having trying to get a visa to go with them. He also writes about troubles with the postal system as he is no longer allowed to send mail via air nor telegrams. See translation in inscriptions/marks.
Production placeHay, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 1941-05-01
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 305.00 mm
height: 203.00 mm
Language
- German Letter dated 1.5.1941 from Leo Botknecht, Camp 8, Hut 8, Eastern Command
Greatly respected Mr Grünfeld
Today I received a telegram from my dear parents “Safely arrived”. It was posted on the 19th April in Brooklyn and arrived in Sydney on the 20th. I got it only today. You can imagine what importance those two words had for me and to know that my beloved parents and my brother and his family are all in the USA. I hope my sister from London and I will also be able to travel to the USA. My papers such as the quota number (?) and the affidavit have already been transferred but the USA Consulate in Sydney will not issue a visa until instructed by Washington to do so. I have an affidavit of my brothers also. Thank you for the letter from Israel of the 9.4.41 you included. Thank you for the packet of Mazzah. These days we are forbidden to send letters by airmail; telegrams have been disallowed some time ago. Therefore I am not able to answer my dear ones letters by airmail. There is no more of importance to report from here. I am well, once again many thanks. In expectation of your early reply …
Yours Leo
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr Peter Grunfeld