Below is a letter from Philipp Braunhart and his family, wife Else, children Horst, Bernhard, and Gisela, as well as Else's brother Theodor to Philipp's sister Selma Braunhart, who had previously escaped Germany to reside in England. The letter refers to Philipp's escape via the Japanese steamship Kasima Maru, which had a planned voyage from Naples, Italy departing on October 8 of 1939. Apparently, according to the letter, Philipp had booked passage on that ship, which was bound for New York City.
I researched that particular voyage, and it did arrive in America on October 16 1939. However all the passengers were Japanese refugees, who were fleeing Europe as the war had already started. Sadly, Philipp was denied boarding on the ship, and as we know and have written about, Philipp was later killed in a Nazi concentration camp at Sachsenhausen.
Below are the three pages from Philipp and family to his sister Selma, followed by the English translation.
I researched that particular voyage, and it did arrive in America on October 16 1939. However all the passengers were Japanese refugees, who were fleeing Europe as the war had already started. Sadly, Philipp was denied boarding on the ship, and as we know and have written about, Philipp was later killed in a Nazi concentration camp at Sachsenhausen.
Below are the three pages from Philipp and family to his sister Selma, followed by the English translation.
Letter from Philipp Braunhart to Selma Braunhart August 6, 1939
Letter from Philipp Braunhart to Selma Braunhart August 6, 1939
Letter from Philipp Braunhart to Selma Braunhart August 6, 1939
The following is the German to English translation. Even in tragically harsh times, the mood seemed happy.
6 August, 1939
Dear Selma,
Bernie received your loving card this morning. He was very happy and went to Theo immediately. He is showing the card to everybody and is very proud about having received mail from his Aunt in England. Many thanks. On Friday we finally got news from G.W. that Philipp can leave from Naples on 8 October 39. The steamships name is "Kasima Maru." Hopefully everything will go fine and he will get out lucky. Here with us everything is still the same, everybody is healthy and awake. Work is still going OK. We are very happy, dear Selma that you are fine. Stay healthy and heartfelt greetings,
Else
Dear Aunt Selma,
Thanks a lot. I was very glad.
Heartfelt greeting and kiss,
Bernie
Dear Aunt,
I as well am sending you heartfelt greetings. Please write again soon.
Horst
Dear Selma,
I have just stopped by at Else's and I am sending you heartfelt greetings from here.
Theodor Schmalenbach
Dear Selma,
Now it will soon....go. We will see! It is a pity though that it doesn't seem to wnat to go on with Theo anymore. Julis is very ill. Seigi in the hospital. Apart from that, everything is still the same. Consider yourself greeted and kissed affectionately by your brother.
Philipp
Dear Aunt Selma,
Greetings and kisses from your Gisela.
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