Part 10 (1/2)

11. Ibid., p. 131. Ibid., p. 131.

12. In his daily order of July 7, 1943, camp commandant Burger threatened the harshest punishment for unreported pregnancies. For a while all pregnancies were terminated with abortions. Later the commandant reserved for himself the decision as to whether a pregnancy was to be aborted or carried to full term. Most pregnant women, however, could expect to be put on the next transport to the East. A total of about 350 involuntary abortions were carried out. Of 207 children born in the camp, 25 survived. In his daily order of July 7, 1943, camp commandant Burger threatened the harshest punishment for unreported pregnancies. For a while all pregnancies were terminated with abortions. Later the commandant reserved for himself the decision as to whether a pregnancy was to be aborted or carried to full term. Most pregnant women, however, could expect to be put on the next transport to the East. A total of about 350 involuntary abortions were carried out. Of 207 children born in the camp, 25 survived.

13. On January 10, 1942, nine ghetto prisoners were hanged for infractions against camp rules; seven more hangings followed on February 26, 1942. Most of them had smuggled or tried to smuggle illegal letters or news out of the camp. One had secretly met with his non-Jewish wife, who had come to see him at the camp. After February 1942, there were no more executions in the ghetto, although individuals were taken to the Little Fortress and murdered there. On January 10, 1942, nine ghetto prisoners were hanged for infractions against camp rules; seven more hangings followed on February 26, 1942. Most of them had smuggled or tried to smuggle illegal letters or news out of the camp. One had secretly met with his non-Jewish wife, who had come to see him at the camp. After February 1942, there were no more executions in the ghetto, although individuals were taken to the Little Fortress and murdered there.

14. Alice Herz-Sommer in an interview with the author, summer 1999. Additional quotations are also based on this interview. Alice Herz-Sommer in an interview with the author, summer 1999. Additional quotations are also based on this interview.

15. Elsa Bernstein, Elsa Bernstein, Das Leben als Drama: Erinnerungen an Theresienstadt Das Leben als Drama: Erinnerungen an Theresienstadt (Dortmund: Edition Ebersbach, 1999), p. 114. (Dortmund: Edition Ebersbach, 1999), p. 114.

SIX Appearance and Reality Appearance and Reality 1. Otto Pollak, diary entry. Presumably, ”Monte Terezino” is the bastion on the ramparts. On July 11, 1943, Otto Pollak noted: ”The first time on the bastion with Ornstein and Ruhlmann from Berlin. Beautiful view of Litomice.” Otto Pollak, diary entry. Presumably, ”Monte Terezino” is the bastion on the ramparts. On July 11, 1943, Otto Pollak noted: ”The first time on the bastion with Ornstein and Ruhlmann from Berlin. Beautiful view of Litomice.”

2. Miroslav Karn, in ”Jakob Edelsteins letzte Briefe,” in Miroslav Karn, in ”Jakob Edelsteins letzte Briefe,” in Theresienstadter Stu- Theresienstadter Stu- dien und Dok.u.mente 1997 dien und Dok.u.mente 1997, pp. 21629. Jakob Edelstein and his family were shot dead in Auschwitz-Birkenau on June 20, 1944.

3. Kotouc et al., Kotouc et al., We Are Children Just the Same We Are Children Just the Same, p. 127.

4. Viktor Ullmann, ”Kritik Nr. 8, Musikalische Rundschau,” in Viktor Ullmann, ”Kritik Nr. 8, Musikalische Rundschau,” in 26 Kritiken uber musikalische Veranstaltungen in Theresienstadt 26 Kritiken uber musikalische Veranstaltungen in Theresienstadt, ed. Ingo Schultz (Hamburg: Bockel Verlag, 1996), pp. 5155.

5. Von Lang, Von Lang, Das Eichmann-Protokoll Das Eichmann-Protokoll, p. 225.

6. There was, in fact, a concentration camp for political prisoners at Heydebreck, Upper Silesia. But Eva is correct. The reality was that ”to go to Heydebreck” meant ”to go to the gas chambers.” As part of the deception of prisoners, the camp high command told them that the ma.s.s murders they were planning were merely a transport to the labor camp at Heydebreck. There was, in fact, a concentration camp for political prisoners at Heydebreck, Upper Silesia. But Eva is correct. The reality was that ”to go to Heydebreck” meant ”to go to the gas chambers.” As part of the deception of prisoners, the camp high command told them that the ma.s.s murders they were planning were merely a transport to the labor camp at Heydebreck.

7. ”Prominent” people were those designated as such by the SS or the Council of Elders. They were given so-called privileged quarters and enjoyed some protection from being transported. Ultimately, however, such status was of use to only a very few. In the end, they were treated just like all other prisoners and were put on transport lists. ”Prominent” people were those designated as such by the SS or the Council of Elders. They were given so-called privileged quarters and enjoyed some protection from being transported. Ultimately, however, such status was of use to only a very few. In the end, they were treated just like all other prisoners and were put on transport lists.

8. Jindich Flusser, ”Lebwohl, Theresienstadt” [”Farewell, Theresienstadt”], in Iltis, Ehrmann, and Heitlinger, eds., Jindich Flusser, ”Lebwohl, Theresienstadt” [”Farewell, Theresienstadt”], in Iltis, Ehrmann, and Heitlinger, eds., Theresienstadt Theresienstadt, pp. 3026. The number given for the town's population at its highest level is incorrect. Up to fifty-eight thousand people actually lived in Theresienstadt.

9. ”Theresienstadter Kindertagebucher,” pp. 11424. ”Theresienstadter Kindertagebucher,” pp. 11424.

10. Gonda Redlich's diary, quoted by Vojtch Blodig in his Gonda Redlich's diary, quoted by Vojtch Blodig in his Ammerkungen zu Maurice Roussels Bericht, Theresienstadter Studien und Dok.u.mente 1996 Ammerkungen zu Maurice Roussels Bericht, Theresienstadter Studien und Dok.u.mente 1996, p. 304 n. 16.

11. Rumors Rumors (bonkes) (bonkes) about a visit by a delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross began circulating with the first orders for beautification in December 1943, but no one knew when it would occur. Himmler officially agreed to an inspection of the Theresienstadt Ghetto for the Elderly in May 1944. A letter dated May 18, 1944, sent by the Reich Security Main Office to Colonel Niehaus of the German Red Cross, said that Himmler ”had approved an inspection of the Theresienstadt ghetto and of a Jewish labor camp by you and a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Also taking part in the inspection will be representatives of Denmark and Sweden. The date for this inspection is sometime in early June 1944.” Quoted in about a visit by a delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross began circulating with the first orders for beautification in December 1943, but no one knew when it would occur. Himmler officially agreed to an inspection of the Theresienstadt Ghetto for the Elderly in May 1944. A letter dated May 18, 1944, sent by the Reich Security Main Office to Colonel Niehaus of the German Red Cross, said that Himmler ”had approved an inspection of the Theresienstadt ghetto and of a Jewish labor camp by you and a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Also taking part in the inspection will be representatives of Denmark and Sweden. The date for this inspection is sometime in early June 1944.” Quoted in Theresienstadt Studien und Dok.u.mente 1994 Theresienstadt Studien und Dok.u.mente 1994, doc.u.ment section. Historians concur that the term ”Jewish labor camp” referred to the family camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, which itself was planned as part of a n.a.z.i propaganda campaign.

12. See H. G. Adler, See H. G. Adler, Theresienstadt 19411945, Das Antlitz einer Zw.a.n.gsgemeinschaft, Geschichte, Soziologie, Psychologie Theresienstadt 19411945, Das Antlitz einer Zw.a.n.gsgemeinschaft, Geschichte, Soziologie, Psychologie (Tubingen: J. C. Mohr, 1956). (Tubingen: J. C. Mohr, 1956).

13. Of note in this context is Cara De Silva's Of note in this context is Cara De Silva's In Memory's Kitchen: A Legacy from the Women of Terezin In Memory's Kitchen: A Legacy from the Women of Terezin (Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2006), a collection of traditional Bohemian, Moravian, Austrian, and German recipes that were exchanged among the women of Theresienstadt to satisfy their hunger, at least in their fantasies. They had neither the ingredients nor a place to cook or bake the foods in these recipes. (Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2006), a collection of traditional Bohemian, Moravian, Austrian, and German recipes that were exchanged among the women of Theresienstadt to satisfy their hunger, at least in their fantasies. They had neither the ingredients nor a place to cook or bake the foods in these recipes.

14. Heinrich Taussig, born in 1923; Bernhard Kaff, born in 1905 in Brno. Neither survived. Viktor Ullmann also wrote about a Beethoven concert given by Bernard Kaff. See ”Kritik Nr. 19” in Ullmann, Heinrich Taussig, born in 1923; Bernhard Kaff, born in 1905 in Brno. Neither survived. Viktor Ullmann also wrote about a Beethoven concert given by Bernard Kaff. See ”Kritik Nr. 19” in Ullmann, 26 Kritiken 26 Kritiken, p. 76.

15. ”Theresienstadter Kindertagbucher,” pp. 11424. ”Theresienstadter Kindertagbucher,” pp. 11424.

16. Ibid. Ibid.

17. Eva Herrmannova in an interview with the author in Prague, 1998. Eva Herrmannova in an interview with the author in Prague, 1998.

18. See Herbert Thomas Mandl, See Herbert Thomas Mandl, Die Wette des Philosophen. Der Anfang des definitively Todes Die Wette des Philosophen. Der Anfang des definitively Todes (Munich: Boer Verlag, 1996), p. 106. (Munich: Boer Verlag, 1996), p. 106.

19. Frank, Frank, ”Brundibar ”Brundibar, der Brummbar.”

20. Maurice Rossel's report and other doc.u.ments were first published in their entirety in Maurice Rossel's report and other doc.u.ments were first published in their entirety in Theresienstadter Studien und Dok.u.mente 1996 Theresienstadter Studien und Dok.u.mente 1996, pp. 284301, with an introduction by Miroslav Karn, pp. 27682, and detailed notes by Vojtch Blodig, pp. 30220. Unless otherwise noted, all other quotations by Maurice Rossel are taken from this report.

21. Claude Lanzmann in a conversation with Maurice Rossel, published in Claude Lanzmann in a conversation with Maurice Rossel, published in Theresienstadter Studien und Dok.u.mente 2000 Theresienstadter Studien und Dok.u.mente 2000, pp. 16891. Lanzmann conducted this conversation for his doc.u.mentary film Shoah Shoah (1985), but it was not used in the film. It was first published in (1985), but it was not used in the film. It was first published in Un vivant qui pa.s.se Auschwitz, Theresienstadt 19431944 Un vivant qui pa.s.se Auschwitz, Theresienstadt 19431944 (Paris: Editions Mille et une nuits/Arte Editions, 1997). (Paris: Editions Mille et une nuits/Arte Editions, 1997).

22. The deportees' baggage was confiscated by the SS at the ”sluice” and then plundered. What was left landed in the The deportees' baggage was confiscated by the SS at the ”sluice” and then plundered. What was left landed in the Kleiderkammer; Kleiderkammer; it was very strictly inventoried and then distributed among the prisoners and/or sold in shops for ghetto currency. it was very strictly inventoried and then distributed among the prisoners and/or sold in shops for ghetto currency.

23. Karel Kursawe, born in 1892; member of the SS camp high command and director of camp agriculture. Karel Kursawe, born in 1892; member of the SS camp high command and director of camp agriculture.

24. Eva Herrmannova in an interview with the author in Prague, 1998. Eva Herrmannova in an interview with the author in Prague, 1998.

25. From the program of a 1995 production of From the program of a 1995 production of Brundibar Brundibar by Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland; premiered at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin. by Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland; premiered at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin.

26. Kathe Starke-Goldschmidt, ”Die Zentralbucherei des Ghettos Theresienstadt” [”The Central Library of the Theresienstadt Ghetto”], in Iltis, Ehrmann, and Heitlinger, eds., Kathe Starke-Goldschmidt, ”Die Zentralbucherei des Ghettos Theresienstadt” [”The Central Library of the Theresienstadt Ghetto”], in Iltis, Ehrmann, and Heitlinger, eds., Theresienstadt Theresienstadt, pp. 185ff.

27. Hans Hofer, ”Der Film uber Theresienstadt” [”The Film About Theresienstadt”], in Iltis, Ehrmann, and Heitlinger, eds., Hans Hofer, ”Der Film uber Theresienstadt” [”The Film About Theresienstadt”], in Iltis, Ehrmann, and Heitlinger, eds., Theresienstadt Theresienstadt, pp. 194ff.

28. Eva Herrmannova in an interview with the author in Prague, 1998. Eva Herrmannova in an interview with the author in Prague, 1998.