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*Migration Histories > Jewish > Growing Up
* No escape 
 
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From Elsa's last letter to Tetamama,written in 1942.
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From Elsa's last letter to Tetamama, written in 1942. Translated it reads: 'Teta Mama, I believe this is the last letter I will write to you and with tears in my eyes I have to say goodbye! Yes, events have reached the point where we are evacuated again, together with all the friends of our faith. I believe there is no return from where we are going now. I can't tell you in words how I feel about it. Why have I to suffer so much? Have I committed so many sins to die so young? I am very nervous ...'
* Moving Here catalogue reference (JML) 1993.74.27a

Grete's mother Elsa was desperate to leave Austria and join Grete. Despite all her efforts, however, she was unable to get a visa. She finally received permission on 29 August 1939, only to find that the last train had left for England two days earlier. A few days later war was declared.

Until 1942 there were many letters between Elsa, Olive and Grete, although Elsa was increasingly frightened of her fate. Finally she disappeared, presumably deported to a concentration camp, and Grete never heard from her mother again. In 1946, her old neighbour Tetamama passed on to Grete the last letter she had received from Elsa.

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Creators: Carol Seigel

 
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