Object numberM2018/008:053
DescriptionIn March 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in the “Anschluss”. From May 1938, the racist Nuremberg laws applied in Austria, and Austrian Jews were steadily ostracised from their societies during the process of “Aryanisation.” This tension came to a climax in the Kristallnacht pogrom from 9th-10th November.
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
Once established in Australia, Leo is still in touch with a wide network of family and friends, many of whom hope to enjoin his help to travel to Australia themselves. Even though Leo was able to secure a job contract for his cousin-in-law Hans Kohn, his sponsor Mr Gilbert wrote that he would be unable to help him receive an Australian landing permit until after the war. Hans wrote this letter to Leo from a work camp in Kemptthal, Switzerland, where he is completing Swiss civil service. He purportedly plans to go to Shanghai to join his uncle, Jacques, having failed to obtain a landing permit for Australia. He asks Leo in the letter to lend him money for his visa and ship deposit.
Never to reach Shanghai, Hans eventually relocated to a settlement in San Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he lived in compromised conditions until after the war.
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
Once established in Australia, Leo is still in touch with a wide network of family and friends, many of whom hope to enjoin his help to travel to Australia themselves. Even though Leo was able to secure a job contract for his cousin-in-law Hans Kohn, his sponsor Mr Gilbert wrote that he would be unable to help him receive an Australian landing permit until after the war. Hans wrote this letter to Leo from a work camp in Kemptthal, Switzerland, where he is completing Swiss civil service. He purportedly plans to go to Shanghai to join his uncle, Jacques, having failed to obtain a landing permit for Australia. He asks Leo in the letter to lend him money for his visa and ship deposit.
Never to reach Shanghai, Hans eventually relocated to a settlement in San Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he lived in compromised conditions until after the war.
Production placeKemptthal, Switzerland
Production date 1940-03-30 - 1940-03-30
SubjectHolocaust, refugees, refugees, family life, forced labour camps, Shanghai, China, ship deposit, labourers, refugee camps, civil service
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter length: 209.00 mm
letter width: 135.00 mm
Language
- German Hans Kohn
Kemleten at Kemptthal
Atileon Post, Zurich Canton
(Work camp)
Switzerland
Kemleten 30.3.40
My dear Leo!
I received your last letter with great pleasure along with the 20.80 Swiss francs. I thank you many times over, dear Leo, and will remember this for as long as I live. I hope, dear Leo, to be able to make it up to you soon. I would have responded long ago but had to wait for your parents’ response in the meantime.
I have been in Swiss civil service for 3 weeks now. The Cultural Committee wanted it this way. Our work consists of cutting down trees, sawing, splitting and storing in piles, this being very hard work dear Leo; I could not dodge it. The work is terribly strenuous but very healthy. But the time is coming, dear Leo, when I just cannot stand it any longer and therefore need the possibility of going away somewhere. My uncle Zuckermann sent me a contract from his café in Shanghai.
I enquired at the consulate in Bern and they told me that I could travel straight away. They will grant me my visa but I need 400 US dollars for the issuing of the visa and the ship deposit.
Dear Leo, I require your help up until I arrive in Shanghai. I have also written to Bernhard and my uncles. I need 400 francs from you, dear Leo. You know me Leo – when I make a promise I honour my word. So please help me and I will return the money to you as soon as I arrive.
Best regards,
Hansi
Many thanks for the snaps and looking forward to the rest. Please write to me immediately.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit