From Swiss Exile to a German Concentration Camp

 

After the Évian Conference, many countries close themselves off even more tightly to Jewish refugees. In the autumn of 1938, under pressure from Switzerland, Germany marks the passports of Jews with a red “J” so they can be identified more easily and turned back at the border. Even some Jewish refugees who have lived in exile in Switzerland for a while are deported to Germany, where they are immediately sent to concentration camps.

Hans Weinberg of Vienna had fled to Switzerland in the summer of 1938. On October 25, 1939 he is arrested by the cantonal police in Basel and deported to Germany. With a great deal of luck, he survives almost a full year in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp and an adventurous escape through Yugoslavia and Italy. In 1944, he goes to Palestine, where he changes his name to Eli Carmel. It is not until 1997 that the canton of Basel apologizes to him and finally pays him a symbolic compensation for the imprisonment he suffered.

Vienna University of Technology: Registration book for Hans Weinberg, 1935–1938  Hans Weinberg is the son of wealthy Jewish merchants in Vienna. In July 1938, at the request of his parents, he breaks off his electrical-engineering studies at Vienna’s Technical University shortly before their completion. He travels with a tourist visa to Switzerland, where relatives of the Weinbergs live. Following his stay in Zürich, the authorities grant him permanent residence in the canton of Geneva. Yad Vashem Archives, Jerusalem

Vienna University of Technology: Registration book for Hans Weinberg, 1935–1938 

Hans Weinberg is the son of wealthy Jewish merchants in Vienna. In July 1938, at the request of his parents, he breaks off his electrical-engineering studies at Vienna’s Technical University shortly before their completion. He travels with a tourist visa to Switzerland, where relatives of the Weinbergs live. Following his stay in Zürich, the authorities grant him permanent residence in the canton of Geneva.

Yad Vashem Archives, Jerusalem

Residence ban for Hans Weinberg, The Swiss Immigration Police, July 20, 1939 Because of alleged violations of residency regulations, the Swiss Immigration Police issue an arrest order and residence ban for Hans Weinberg in the summer of 1939. Archives d‘État de Genève

Residence ban for Hans Weinberg, The Swiss Immigration Police, July 20, 1939

Because of alleged violations of residency regulations, the Swiss Immigration Police issue an arrest order and residence ban for Hans Weinberg in the summer of 1939.

Archives d‘État de Genève

Journal of the Basel city police, October 25, 1939 On October 25, 1939, during a visit to Basel, he is arrested by the local police. Although the Swiss Immigration Police in Bern have renounced the idea of deporting him, Basel city’s cantonal police send him across the German border to Lörrach on the very same day. Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Straf und Polizei M 8.109, S. 910

Journal of the Basel city police, October 25, 1939

On October 25, 1939, during a visit to Basel, he is arrested by the local police. Although the Swiss Immigration Police in Bern have renounced the idea of deporting him, Basel city’s cantonal police send him across the German border to Lörrach on the very same day.

Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Straf und Polizei M 8.109, S. 910

Prisoners’ book of the Lörrach court prison, October 1939 After incarcerating him for three weeks in the court prison in Lörrach, the Gestapo commits Hans Weinberg to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg / Staatsarchiv Freiburg, G 723/1, Nr. 10

Prisoners’ book of the Lörrach court prison, October 1939

After incarcerating him for three weeks in the court prison in Lörrach, the Gestapo commits Hans Weinberg to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg / Staatsarchiv Freiburg, G 723/1, Nr. 10

Sachsenhausen concentration camp prisoners doing casting work in the satellite camp “Klinker“ In the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, as a Jew, he is assigned to the toughest work crew in the “brickworks”: “On a winter day, an SS man knocked me unconscious at work. He thought I was dead and left me lying in the snow. At the end of the work day, prisoners stashed all bodies – and me – on a wheelbarrow. The bodies were supposed to be burned at the camp. On the way there, I woke up, and my comrades helped me into the barrack.” Water colour: Etienne van Ploeg, 1945 / Gedenkstätte und Museum Sachsenhausen

Sachsenhausen concentration camp prisoners doing casting work in the satellite camp “Klinker“

In the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, as a Jew, he is assigned to the toughest work crew in the “brickworks”: “On a winter day, an SS man knocked me unconscious at work. He thought I was dead and left me lying in the snow. At the end of the work day, prisoners stashed all bodies – and me – on a wheelbarrow. The bodies were supposed to be burned at the camp. On the way there, I woke up, and my comrades helped me into the barrack.”

Water colour: Etienne van Ploeg, 1945 / Gedenkstätte und Museum Sachsenhausen

Jewish Agency in Zagreb to the Jewish Agency in Geneva, January 1, 1941 By presenting a visa for Shanghai, Maria Weinberg is able to achieve her son’s release from the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. At the end of 1940, however, since the visa has by now expired, the family flees to Yugoslavia with the help of a people-smuggler; their intention is to leave from there for Palestine. In the ruins of Yugoslavia, the family is arrested multiple times, finally landing in a prison in Fiume (Rijeka), Italy. In 1942, they are transferred to the Calabrian internment camp of Ferramonti. Central Zionist Archives, Jerusalem

Jewish Agency in Zagreb to the Jewish Agency in Geneva, January 1, 1941

By presenting a visa for Shanghai, Maria Weinberg is able to achieve her son’s release from the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. At the end of 1940, however, since the visa has by now expired, the family flees to Yugoslavia with the help of a people-smuggler; their intention is to leave from there for Palestine. In the ruins of Yugoslavia, the family is arrested multiple times, finally landing in a prison in Fiume (Rijeka), Italy. In 1942, they are transferred to the Calabrian internment camp of Ferramonti.

Central Zionist Archives, Jerusalem

Residence permit for Hans Weinberg, Government of Palestine/Department of Migration, June 5, 1944  In September 1943, the Weinberg family is finally freed from the Ferramonti camp by Allied troops and goes to Palestine. After the founding of Israel, Hans Weinberg adopts the name of Eli Carmel. Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana

Residence permit for Hans Weinberg, Government of Palestine/Department of Migration, June 5, 1944 

In September 1943, the Weinberg family is finally freed from the Ferramonti camp by Allied troops and goes to Palestine. After the founding of Israel, Hans Weinberg adopts the name of Eli Carmel.

Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana

Eli Carmel [Hans Weinberg] (right) with his wife Chana at the Sachsenhausen memorial site, September 1997 In 1992, Eli Carmel founds the Association of Former Sachsenhausen Prisoners in Israel. As its president, he is part of the delegation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak when the latter visits the Sachsenhausen memorial site in September 1997 during his state visit to Germany. Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana

Eli Carmel [Hans Weinberg] (right) with his wife Chana at the Sachsenhausen memorial site, September 1997

In 1992, Eli Carmel founds the Association of Former Sachsenhausen Prisoners in Israel. As its president, he is part of the delegation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak when the latter visits the Sachsenhausen memorial site in September 1997 during his state visit to Germany.

Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana

From Swiss Exile to a German Concentration Camp

Clips from Interview with Eli Carmel [Hans Weinberg], November 30, 1993, Israel

© United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, RG-50.120*0030)

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Vienna University of Technology: Registration book for Hans Weinberg, 1935–1938  Hans Weinberg is the son of wealthy Jewish merchants in Vienna. In July 1938, at the request of his parents, he breaks off his electrical-engineering studies at Vienna’s Technical University shortly before their completion. He travels with a tourist visa to Switzerland, where relatives of the Weinbergs live. Following his stay in Zürich, the authorities grant him permanent residence in the canton of Geneva. Yad Vashem Archives, Jerusalem

Vienna University of Technology: Registration book for Hans Weinberg, 1935–1938 

Hans Weinberg is the son of wealthy Jewish merchants in Vienna. In July 1938, at the request of his parents, he breaks off his electrical-engineering studies at Vienna’s Technical University shortly before their completion. He travels with a tourist visa to Switzerland, where relatives of the Weinbergs live. Following his stay in Zürich, the authorities grant him permanent residence in the canton of Geneva.

Yad Vashem Archives, Jerusalem

Vienna University of Technology: Registration book for Hans Weinberg, 1935–1938 

Hans Weinberg is the son of wealthy Jewish merchants in Vienna. In July 1938, at the request of his parents, he breaks off his electrical-engineering studies at Vienna’s Technical University shortly before their completion. He travels with a tourist visa to Switzerland, where relatives of the Weinbergs live. Following his stay in Zürich, the authorities grant him permanent residence in the canton of Geneva.

Yad Vashem Archives, Jerusalem

Residence ban for Hans Weinberg, The Swiss Immigration Police, July 20, 1939 Because of alleged violations of residency regulations, the Swiss Immigration Police issue an arrest order and residence ban for Hans Weinberg in the summer of 1939. Archives d‘État de Genève

Residence ban for Hans Weinberg, The Swiss Immigration Police, July 20, 1939

Because of alleged violations of residency regulations, the Swiss Immigration Police issue an arrest order and residence ban for Hans Weinberg in the summer of 1939.

Archives d‘État de Genève

Residence ban for Hans Weinberg, The Swiss Immigration Police, July 20, 1939

Because of alleged violations of residency regulations, the Swiss Immigration Police issue an arrest order and residence ban for Hans Weinberg in the summer of 1939.

Archives d‘État de Genève

Journal of the Basel city police, October 25, 1939 On October 25, 1939, during a visit to Basel, he is arrested by the local police. Although the Swiss Immigration Police in Bern have renounced the idea of deporting him, Basel city’s cantonal police send him across the German border to Lörrach on the very same day. Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Straf und Polizei M 8.109, S. 910

Journal of the Basel city police, October 25, 1939

On October 25, 1939, during a visit to Basel, he is arrested by the local police. Although the Swiss Immigration Police in Bern have renounced the idea of deporting him, Basel city’s cantonal police send him across the German border to Lörrach on the very same day.

Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Straf und Polizei M 8.109, S. 910

Journal of the Basel city police, October 25, 1939

On October 25, 1939, during a visit to Basel, he is arrested by the local police. Although the Swiss Immigration Police in Bern have renounced the idea of deporting him, Basel city’s cantonal police send him across the German border to Lörrach on the very same day.

Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Straf und Polizei M 8.109, S. 910

Prisoners’ book of the Lörrach court prison, October 1939 After incarcerating him for three weeks in the court prison in Lörrach, the Gestapo commits Hans Weinberg to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg / Staatsarchiv Freiburg, G 723/1, Nr. 10

Prisoners’ book of the Lörrach court prison, October 1939

After incarcerating him for three weeks in the court prison in Lörrach, the Gestapo commits Hans Weinberg to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg / Staatsarchiv Freiburg, G 723/1, Nr. 10

Prisoners’ book of the Lörrach court prison, October 1939

After incarcerating him for three weeks in the court prison in Lörrach, the Gestapo commits Hans Weinberg to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg / Staatsarchiv Freiburg, G 723/1, Nr. 10

Sachsenhausen concentration camp prisoners doing casting work in the satellite camp “Klinker“ In the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, as a Jew, he is assigned to the toughest work crew in the “brickworks”: “On a winter day, an SS man knocked me unconscious at work. He thought I was dead and left me lying in the snow. At the end of the work day, prisoners stashed all bodies – and me – on a wheelbarrow. The bodies were supposed to be burned at the camp. On the way there, I woke up, and my comrades helped me into the barrack.” Water colour: Etienne van Ploeg, 1945 / Gedenkstätte und Museum Sachsenhausen

Sachsenhausen concentration camp prisoners doing casting work in the satellite camp “Klinker“

In the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, as a Jew, he is assigned to the toughest work crew in the “brickworks”: “On a winter day, an SS man knocked me unconscious at work. He thought I was dead and left me lying in the snow. At the end of the work day, prisoners stashed all bodies – and me – on a wheelbarrow. The bodies were supposed to be burned at the camp. On the way there, I woke up, and my comrades helped me into the barrack.”

Water colour: Etienne van Ploeg, 1945 / Gedenkstätte und Museum Sachsenhausen

Sachsenhausen concentration camp prisoners doing casting work in the satellite camp “Klinker“

In the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, as a Jew, he is assigned to the toughest work crew in the “brickworks”: “On a winter day, an SS man knocked me unconscious at work. He thought I was dead and left me lying in the snow. At the end of the work day, prisoners stashed all bodies – and me – on a wheelbarrow. The bodies were supposed to be burned at the camp. On the way there, I woke up, and my comrades helped me into the barrack.”

Water colour: Etienne van Ploeg, 1945 / Gedenkstätte und Museum Sachsenhausen

Jewish Agency in Zagreb to the Jewish Agency in Geneva, January 1, 1941 By presenting a visa for Shanghai, Maria Weinberg is able to achieve her son’s release from the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. At the end of 1940, however, since the visa has by now expired, the family flees to Yugoslavia with the help of a people-smuggler; their intention is to leave from there for Palestine. In the ruins of Yugoslavia, the family is arrested multiple times, finally landing in a prison in Fiume (Rijeka), Italy. In 1942, they are transferred to the Calabrian internment camp of Ferramonti. Central Zionist Archives, Jerusalem

Jewish Agency in Zagreb to the Jewish Agency in Geneva, January 1, 1941

By presenting a visa for Shanghai, Maria Weinberg is able to achieve her son’s release from the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. At the end of 1940, however, since the visa has by now expired, the family flees to Yugoslavia with the help of a people-smuggler; their intention is to leave from there for Palestine. In the ruins of Yugoslavia, the family is arrested multiple times, finally landing in a prison in Fiume (Rijeka), Italy. In 1942, they are transferred to the Calabrian internment camp of Ferramonti.

Central Zionist Archives, Jerusalem

Jewish Agency in Zagreb to the Jewish Agency in Geneva, January 1, 1941

By presenting a visa for Shanghai, Maria Weinberg is able to achieve her son’s release from the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. At the end of 1940, however, since the visa has by now expired, the family flees to Yugoslavia with the help of a people-smuggler; their intention is to leave from there for Palestine. In the ruins of Yugoslavia, the family is arrested multiple times, finally landing in a prison in Fiume (Rijeka), Italy. In 1942, they are transferred to the Calabrian internment camp of Ferramonti.

Central Zionist Archives, Jerusalem

Residence permit for Hans Weinberg, Government of Palestine/Department of Migration, June 5, 1944  In September 1943, the Weinberg family is finally freed from the Ferramonti camp by Allied troops and goes to Palestine. After the founding of Israel, Hans Weinberg adopts the name of Eli Carmel. Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana

Residence permit for Hans Weinberg, Government of Palestine/Department of Migration, June 5, 1944 

In September 1943, the Weinberg family is finally freed from the Ferramonti camp by Allied troops and goes to Palestine. After the founding of Israel, Hans Weinberg adopts the name of Eli Carmel.

Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana

Residence permit for Hans Weinberg, Government of Palestine/Department of Migration, June 5, 1944 

In September 1943, the Weinberg family is finally freed from the Ferramonti camp by Allied troops and goes to Palestine. After the founding of Israel, Hans Weinberg adopts the name of Eli Carmel.

Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana

Eli Carmel [Hans Weinberg] (right) with his wife Chana at the Sachsenhausen memorial site, September 1997 In 1992, Eli Carmel founds the Association of Former Sachsenhausen Prisoners in Israel. As its president, he is part of the delegation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak when the latter visits the Sachsenhausen memorial site in September 1997 during his state visit to Germany. Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana

Eli Carmel [Hans Weinberg] (right) with his wife Chana at the Sachsenhausen memorial site, September 1997

In 1992, Eli Carmel founds the Association of Former Sachsenhausen Prisoners in Israel. As its president, he is part of the delegation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak when the latter visits the Sachsenhausen memorial site in September 1997 during his state visit to Germany.

Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana

Eli Carmel [Hans Weinberg] (right) with his wife Chana at the Sachsenhausen memorial site, September 1997

In 1992, Eli Carmel founds the Association of Former Sachsenhausen Prisoners in Israel. As its president, he is part of the delegation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak when the latter visits the Sachsenhausen memorial site in September 1997 during his state visit to Germany.

Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana

From Swiss Exile to a German Concentration Camp Clips from Interview with Eli Carmel [Hans Weinberg], November 30, 1993, Israel © United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, RG-50.120*0030)

From Swiss Exile to a German Concentration Camp

Clips from Interview with Eli Carmel [Hans Weinberg], November 30, 1993, Israel

© United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, RG-50.120*0030)

From Swiss Exile to a German Concentration Camp

Clips from Interview with Eli Carmel [Hans Weinberg], November 30, 1993, Israel

© United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, RG-50.120*0030)

Vienna University of Technology: Registration book for Hans Weinberg, 1935–1938  Hans Weinberg is the son of wealthy Jewish merchants in Vienna. In July 1938, at the request of his parents, he breaks off his electrical-engineering studies at Vienna’s Technical University shortly before their completion. He travels with a tourist visa to Switzerland, where relatives of the Weinbergs live. Following his stay in Zürich, the authorities grant him permanent residence in the canton of Geneva. Yad Vashem Archives, Jerusalem
Residence ban for Hans Weinberg, The Swiss Immigration Police, July 20, 1939 Because of alleged violations of residency regulations, the Swiss Immigration Police issue an arrest order and residence ban for Hans Weinberg in the summer of 1939. Archives d‘État de Genève
Journal of the Basel city police, October 25, 1939 On October 25, 1939, during a visit to Basel, he is arrested by the local police. Although the Swiss Immigration Police in Bern have renounced the idea of deporting him, Basel city’s cantonal police send him across the German border to Lörrach on the very same day. Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Straf und Polizei M 8.109, S. 910
Prisoners’ book of the Lörrach court prison, October 1939 After incarcerating him for three weeks in the court prison in Lörrach, the Gestapo commits Hans Weinberg to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg / Staatsarchiv Freiburg, G 723/1, Nr. 10
Sachsenhausen concentration camp prisoners doing casting work in the satellite camp “Klinker“ In the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, as a Jew, he is assigned to the toughest work crew in the “brickworks”: “On a winter day, an SS man knocked me unconscious at work. He thought I was dead and left me lying in the snow. At the end of the work day, prisoners stashed all bodies – and me – on a wheelbarrow. The bodies were supposed to be burned at the camp. On the way there, I woke up, and my comrades helped me into the barrack.” Water colour: Etienne van Ploeg, 1945 / Gedenkstätte und Museum Sachsenhausen
Jewish Agency in Zagreb to the Jewish Agency in Geneva, January 1, 1941 By presenting a visa for Shanghai, Maria Weinberg is able to achieve her son’s release from the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. At the end of 1940, however, since the visa has by now expired, the family flees to Yugoslavia with the help of a people-smuggler; their intention is to leave from there for Palestine. In the ruins of Yugoslavia, the family is arrested multiple times, finally landing in a prison in Fiume (Rijeka), Italy. In 1942, they are transferred to the Calabrian internment camp of Ferramonti. Central Zionist Archives, Jerusalem
Residence permit for Hans Weinberg, Government of Palestine/Department of Migration, June 5, 1944  In September 1943, the Weinberg family is finally freed from the Ferramonti camp by Allied troops and goes to Palestine. After the founding of Israel, Hans Weinberg adopts the name of Eli Carmel. Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana
Eli Carmel [Hans Weinberg] (right) with his wife Chana at the Sachsenhausen memorial site, September 1997 In 1992, Eli Carmel founds the Association of Former Sachsenhausen Prisoners in Israel. As its president, he is part of the delegation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak when the latter visits the Sachsenhausen memorial site in September 1997 during his state visit to Germany. Nachlass Eli Carmel, Pardes Chana