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[nb-NO]Object number[nb-NO]M2018/008:088
[nb-NO]Description[nb-NO]
In 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 makes various applications to the Australian government for landing permits on behalf of his parents and Paul, all of which are denied. All three family members would eventually perish during WWII.
Whilst in Australia, Leo remains in contact with a wide network of friends and family. This letter, written after the war in 1947, from Walter Kohn, a relative of Leo’s friend and former cousin-in-law, Hans Kohn, from the Middle East Land Forces, where he is serving Britain. The letter discusses the resurgence of anti-Semitic sentiment in England as a result of the tensions in Palestine. Walter asks Leo for help with his application for an Australian landing permit.
In 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 makes various applications to the Australian government for landing permits on behalf of his parents and Paul, all of which are denied. All three family members would eventually perish during WWII.
Whilst in Australia, Leo remains in contact with a wide network of friends and family. This letter, written after the war in 1947, from Walter Kohn, a relative of Leo’s friend and former cousin-in-law, Hans Kohn, from the Middle East Land Forces, where he is serving Britain. The letter discusses the resurgence of anti-Semitic sentiment in England as a result of the tensions in Palestine. Walter asks Leo for help with his application for an Australian landing permit.
[nb-NO]Production place[nb-NO]Al Qassasin, Egypt
[nb-NO]Date[nb-NO] 1947-08-19 - 1947-08-19
[nb-NO]Subject[nb-NO]refugees, rebuilding lives, landing permit, refugee experiences in Australia, antisemitism, Arab-Israeli conflict, post World War II, Middle East Land Forces, military service
[nb-NO]Object name[nb-NO]letters
[nb-NO]Dimensions[nb-NO]
- letter length: 201.00 mm
letter width: 163.00 mm
envelope length: 129.00 mm
envelope width: 88.00 mm
[nb-NO]Language[nb-NO]
- German 13808460 Staff Sergeant Kohn W.
Main Orderly Room RPCD
M.E.L.F. (Middle East Land Forces)
19 Aug 47
Dear Leo,
I wrote to you a little while ago, and hope that I am not becoming a nuisance to you. However, I found out two days ago that if I know the number of my application or can forward a copy to the military authorities, they can help speed up the process. I wanted to ask you if you could undertake some steps to get some information sent to me, which I could then use to inform the military.
Now, enough of these impersonal matters; I hope that you and your family are well, and wish you also all the best. I hope that you haven’t been affected by the wave of anti-Semitism which is rising at the moment in England due to the constant troubles in Palestine.
Unfortunately I have not heard anything from Hansi lately, though I hope that he is healthy and well.
As for me, I can’t complain, as so long as I am in the army, I can lead a carefree life. But I can’t afford to only think of the here and now, or the same old story will start again.
Concluding here whilst sending many greetings to yourself and your family,
Your young friend,
Walter.
P.S. Many greetings from Poldi and his wife.
[nb-NO]Credit line[nb-NO]Sydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit