Werner Katzenstein postcards

Werner Katzenstein was born on April 29, 1922, in Wallensen, Germany. In 1933, the Nazi dictatorship took control of Germany. All the male Jews in the county where they lived, including Werner’s father, were jailed. His father was released after 8-10 days. Werner had to leave school. The government enacted legislation to strip Jews of their rights. In 1935, Werner’s father was no longer allowed to buy grain and was forced to close his farming supply business. Aided by a relative, his father acquired property in the Netherlands and the family moved there in 1937. His father continued to seek a more secure haven for his family. In June 1939, they left for the United States. They settled in Somerville, New Jersey and developed a farm business.

Werner was considered an enemy alien, but was permitted to register for the draft. He was inducted into the US army in March 1944. After basic training, he was trained for intelligence and reconnaissance work and assigned to the 100th Infantry Division. He deployed to Europe, entering combat in southern France and the Vosges Mountains. Werner was wounded in battle in November, but rejoined his platoon in January 1945. The unit advanced into Germany and captured Heidelberg. The war ended with Germany’s surrender on May 7, 1945. Werner then worked for the military government. He traveled to Theresienstadt concentration camp in Czechoslovakia to visit family who had been imprisoned there. Werner returned to New Jersey on April 30, 1946. He married Inge Berg, who had fled Germany after Kristallnacht with her extended family and lived in Kenya for the duration of the war. The couple had three children and settled in Washington, D.C. Werner, 93, passed away November 4, 2015.