June 1941
- June 1941 My Dears! Unfortunately, I haven't
got your June letter so I can't answer anything. If you fulfil my wish
you'll certainly make Mutschel very happy. Have you had an answer to your
inquiry yet? It's made me so hopeful. My best wishes to all who have
birthdays out there. I dream of being with you on the days when you're all
together. I sit with you in the garden and watch Ingrid romping about, and
so I console myself, month after month, year after year. But it's so
difficult because the homesickness just gets worse all the time. In my mind,
I see my wee mite already armed with her satchel. That's how I realize how
time flies. I'm living here in a dream. It's only my body that's here, my
spirit's with you. But the main thing is that you are, and stay, weIl.
What's Ingrid and Irene's father doing? Does he sometimes see how the
children are? He doesn't have to, as far as I'm concerned. If you hear
anything important, do let me know. I'd love to get a letter from my sisters
again, together with yours. WeIl, tender greetings and kisses, Your
Irma.
Explanation:
It can be seen from both August Landmesser's
sentences for "Rassenschande", that once Irma Eckler discovered in
court that she was considered a 'full' Jew, she wanted a separation to avoid
further trouble. After he was released in May 1938, August Landmesser
nevertheless often visited her, also to see his children. When she, too, was
arrested on 18th July 1938, she also blamed him for her difficult predicament.
He did not pay maintenance for the children either - often was not in a position
to do so. All this served to alienate the parents. (Public-record office
Harnburg 213-1)