Robert Koenig: correspondence

Scope and Content

This collection contains correspondence from Robert Koenig to Heinz Katz and friends in Tel Aviv describing the first year of his return home to Prague after his military service in the Second World War, coming to terms with the traumatic experiences during the war. He writes about his observations of the destroyed towns in the Allied occupied zones of Western Europe, his search for relatives, his work at the military hospital in Prague and later at the civic gynaecological hospital in Jablonec nad Nisou (Gablonz), Czech Republic, and his opinions about the social and political situation after the war.

Also includes a letter from Josef to his brother Sholem written just before marching to the front in Norway to fight the German army.

Administrative / Biographical History

Robert Koenig was stationed in RAMC base depot Crookham-Aldershot in 1945 whilst serving in the Czech Army in the Second World War. Upon his return home he found most of his relatives had perished in concentration camps. In 1946 he moved from Prague to Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech Republic, to start a new post at the civic gynaecological hospital. His letters are a addressed to Heinz Katz, a representative of Bata Shoes in Israel.

There is no further information about Josef and his brother Sholem.

Arrangement

Chronological

Access Information

See Wiener Library access conditions at: http://www.wienerlibrary.co.uk/usinglibrary/usingthelibrary.aspx

Acquisition Information

Donated by Ms Roessler-Rubin

Note

2007/50