Karl Braunhart in Center
Karl Braunhart was the 4th son of Alexander and Helene Braunhart. It appears from letters and photos that Karl was quite mechanically inclined and also was a merchant. He was the one who started his family business of bicycle shops in as early as 1913 and moved those shops from Schubin to Berlin and later to Brooklyn, New York after he immigrated. The shop still exists, as Carl Hart Bicycles - in Middle Island, New York.
He married his wife Hedwig in 1914 and their family of Heinz and Hanna was completed quickly, with the children's birth dates of 1915 and 1916 respectively.
In some of the family letters in the 1920's, they write of Karl having his bicycle shop destroyed, that he was a gambler and a bit of a rake. As he and his siblings attempted to move to Berlin in that time period along with many other Jews, there were significant financial issues as well as problems obtaining housing.
When Karl came to America in 1939, he changed his name immediately to Carl Hart. His wife immigrated a few months later in 1940, and as we have written before, his daughter Hanna did not join them. Son Heinz escaped to Palestine in 1935. As a result of Hanna not joining her parents, she was murdered by the Nazis at Auschwitz in 1943.
This postcard does not reveal too much about Karl, nevertheless is presented here as a matter of family history - however it does confirm for the first time that he did indeed serve in the German military.
Below is the postcard, followed by the English translation.
He married his wife Hedwig in 1914 and their family of Heinz and Hanna was completed quickly, with the children's birth dates of 1915 and 1916 respectively.
In some of the family letters in the 1920's, they write of Karl having his bicycle shop destroyed, that he was a gambler and a bit of a rake. As he and his siblings attempted to move to Berlin in that time period along with many other Jews, there were significant financial issues as well as problems obtaining housing.
When Karl came to America in 1939, he changed his name immediately to Carl Hart. His wife immigrated a few months later in 1940, and as we have written before, his daughter Hanna did not join them. Son Heinz escaped to Palestine in 1935. As a result of Hanna not joining her parents, she was murdered by the Nazis at Auschwitz in 1943.
This postcard does not reveal too much about Karl, nevertheless is presented here as a matter of family history - however it does confirm for the first time that he did indeed serve in the German military.
Below is the postcard, followed by the English translation.
And with thanks to our master translator, Matthias Steinke, below is the English translation.
[From] army mail
Private Airman Braunhart
Rea 2 ... 117 Corp.
Doeberitz – Berlin
[To] company
C. Braunhart
Schubin in Posen
Breitestr. 31/32
Doeberitz the 24th. November 1917
My dear Hedwig,
Today, I got the to me sent parcel. Many thanks therefore. It all arrived in good shape.
Watches are hard to get and very expensive. Ordinary silver watches cost is purchase 30-35 Mark. Nickel watches
are also very expensive. I will write to Phillip, maybe he can obtain something. I cant manage it because after the A... the stores have already closed.
Have you received my letter, beloved dear?
Carry out the things soon. Theo has surely brought a few things. I dont drive to Berlin this Saturday. I am a little bit ill. A small cold. The case about my apartment is still pending. I am happy that you and the children are well.
I also miss nothing, only the borrowing is based on mutuality.
Be all best greeted and kissed by your Karl
The photo is from Schneidemuehl.
Will you find me, yet?
text on Photo:
mechanische Werkstatt (mechanic workshop)
FEA 2 (Flugzeugersatzabteilung 2 = Airplane Replacement Departement 2)
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