Freddie Knoller: personal papers

This collection contains the personal papers of Freddie Knoller, an Auschwitz concentration camp survivor from Vienna. His parents, David and Marja Knoller, insisted that he and his two brothers, Erich and Otto, emigrated to avoid increasing anti-Semitism and Nazi persecution after the annexation of Austria. Freddie's parents were murdered at Auschwitz concentration camp whilst his two brothers survived in England and the United States respectively.

Included are letters (with translations) from Freddie Knoller’s parents, mainly addressed to his brother Erich, giving an insight into their fear for their future and worries about their children. Also included are some photocopies of papers regarding David Knoller’s employment and assets, the emigration of the children and the deportation of David and Marja Knoller; papers, correspondence and press cuttings relating to research and arrangements for the publication of Freddie Knoller’s autobiography 'Desperate journey'; arrangements for his talks and lectures; details of forced labour during the Nazi regime as well as his application for compensation to the Claims Conference Programme for Former Slave and Forced Labourers and other litigation claims. In addition, there are letters from readers of Freddie Knoller’s memoirs and from school children attending his talks.

Note that only the earlier material, 1848/1-4 is accessible to readers.