Egon Klappholz Woods passport

German passport ["Deutsches Reich Reisepass"] issued to Egon Klappholz Woods (donor's late husband), August 1935, Berlin, Germany. Issued by Lord Mayor, Berlin in 1935; letter "J" stamped in red ink; contains immigration visa for the United States, dated February 17, 1939; contains a stamp dated March 16, 1939 at Harwich in the United Kingdom, alongside a visa for transit through the UK to the United States issued in Berlin on February 20, 1939.

World War I Honor & Iron Crosses buttonhole ribbon bar with Combatant’s swords awarded to a German Jewish soldier

Object

Buttonhole ribbon bar for the Honor Cross, combatants and Iron Cross, 2nd class medals awarded to Kurt Schlesinger for his service in the German Army during World War I (1914-1918). The Honor, or Hindenburg, Cross was established by President von Hindenburg in July 1934. It commemorated distinguished deeds in combat, and individuals had to apply to the government to receive it. The Iron Cross was reinstated in August 1914, and awarded for bravery. On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was elected Chancellor of Germany. Kurt and his second wife, Christine, were very concerned about Hitler’s policies, and immigrated to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Kurt left behind his teenage daughter, Irene, who lived in Berlin with her mother, Erna Schlesinger. Kurt and Erna had divorced in 1924, and he only saw Irene during holidays. In July 1938, Kurt signed a document granting permission for Irene, a minor, to emigrate because the situation for Jews in Germany had become more dangerous. In July 1939, Irene and Erna arrived in Amsterdam to say goodbye to him before boarding a ship to the United States. Germany invaded the Netherlands on May 10, 1940. In the second half of 1942, Kurt was transported to Westerbork transit camp and held there. After approximately one year, Christine, who was not Jewish, was able to get Kurt out the camp before he could be deported to a concentration camp. In February 1946, Kurt was killed instantly when he was thrown from the bed of a truck during an accident.

World War I Iron Cross 2nd class combatant’s medal with ribbon awarded to a German Jewish soldier

Object

Iron Cross, 2nd class medal awarded to Kurt Schlesinger for his service in the German Army during World War I (1914-1918). The Iron Cross was first issued in 1813 and was intended only to be issued in times of war. It was reinstated in August 1914, and awarded for bravery and distinguished deeds in combat during the Great War. On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was elected Chancellor of Germany. Kurt and his second wife, Christine, were very concerned about Hitler’s policies, and immigrated to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Kurt left behind his teenage daughter, Irene, who lived in Berlin with her mother, Erna Schlesinger. Kurt and Erna had divorced in 1924, and he only saw Irene during holidays. In July 1938, Kurt signed a document granting permission for Irene, a minor, to emigrate because the situation for Jews in Germany had become more dangerous. In July 1939, Irene and Erna arrived in Amsterdam to say goodbye to him before boarding a ship to the United States. Germany invaded the Netherlands on May 10, 1940. In the second half of 1942, Kurt was transported to Westerbork transit camp and held there. After approximately one year, Christine, who was not Jewish, was able to get Kurt out the camp before he could be deported to a concentration camp. In February 1946, Kurt was killed instantly when he was thrown from the bed of a truck during an accident.

Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 combatant veteran service medal awarded to a German Jewish soldier

Object

Honor Cross, combatants medal awarded to Kurt Schlesinger for his service in the German Army during World War I (1914-1918). The Honor, or Hindenburg, Cross was established by President von Hindenburg in July 1934. It commemorated distinguished deeds in combat, and individuals had to apply to the government to receive it. On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was elected Chancellor of Germany. Kurt and his second wife, Christine, were very concerned about Hitler’s policies, and immigrated to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Kurt left behind his teenage daughter, Irene, who lived in Berlin with her mother, Erna Schlesinger. Kurt and Erna had divorced in 1924, and he only saw Irene during holidays. In July 1938, Kurt signed a document granting permission for Irene, a minor, to emigrate because the situation for Jews in Germany had become more dangerous. In July 1939, Irene and Erna arrived in Amsterdam to say goodbye to him before boarding a ship to the United States. Germany invaded the Netherlands on May 10, 1940. In the second half of 1942, Kurt was transported to Westerbork transit camp and held there. After approximately one year, Christine, who was not Jewish, was able to get Kurt out the camp before he could be deported to a concentration camp. In February 1946, Kurt was killed instantly when he was thrown from the bed of a truck during an accident.

Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 non-combatant veteran service buttonhole ribbon bar awarded to a German Jewish soldier

Object

Buttonhole ribbon bar for the Honor Cross, non-combatants medal awarded to Kurt Schlesinger for his service in the German Army during World War I (1914-1918). The Honor, or Hindenburg, Cross was established by President von Hindenburg in July 1934. The medal was designed by Eugene Godet, and the ribbon bears a miniature version of the full scale award. It commemorated distinguished deeds in combat, and individuals had to apply to the government to receive it. On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was elected Chancellor of Germany. Kurt and his second wife, Christine, were very concerned about Hitler’s policies, and immigrated to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Kurt left behind his teenage daughter, Irene, who lived in Berlin with her mother, Erna Schlesinger. Kurt and Erna had divorced in 1924, and he only saw Irene during holidays. In July 1938, Kurt signed a document granting permission for Irene, a minor, to emigrate because the situation for Jews in Germany had become more dangerous. In July 1939, Irene and Erna arrived in Amsterdam to say goodbye to him before boarding a ship to the United States. Germany invaded the Netherlands on May 10, 1940. In the second half of 1942, Kurt was transported to Westerbork transit camp and held there. After approximately one year, Christine, who was not Jewish, was able to get Kurt out the camp before he could be deported to a concentration camp. In February 1946, Kurt was killed instantly when he was thrown from the bed of a truck during an accident.

Irene Schlesinger passport

Document

German passport ["Deutsches Reich Reisepass"] issued to Irene Schlesinger (donor), July 1939, Berlin, Germany. Issued by Chief of Police, Berlin; letter "J" stamped in red ink; middle name "Sara" added; contains immigration visa for the United States dated July 13, 1939; contains stamp issued in the Netherlands dated July 19, 1939.