Skip to content

Advocacy / Other Advocates dossier

1 of 3
A letter written by Fritz Oberlander to the British Under Secretary of State of the Home Office, London.

For many internees, including Peter Oberlander, their family members were their most vocal advocates. This letter is one of many written by Fritz Oberlander on behalf of his son urgently requesting information on Peter’s status and assistance in securing his release.

– Courtesy the Oberlander family

Transcript

42 Staverton Road
London N.W.2
August 5th, 1940.

The Under Secretary of State
Home Office (Aliens Department)
Postbox 100
Paddington District Office,
W.1.

Sir,
Home Office No. 0 4282.

May I most earnestly ask for your advice in the following matter:

My son, Heinz Peter Oberlaender,[sic] aged 17 (date of birth Nov.29, 1922) was at school in Folkestone and was interned during the first roundup of aliens on May 12th. I have since heard that he has been deported to Canada. My wife, my other son and myself have a visa appointment with the American Consulate on August 8th and we do not know what to do about our emigration. Would you please be so kind as to tell me how I can arrange for him to rejoin us in the United States. The grant of his visa is dependant upon an affidavit of support given for the whole family and, of course, this is lodged with the American Consulate in London. I do no know whether to go to the United States or to wait here. Will my son be allowed to go to an American Consulate in Canada if his file could be transferred to that country?

We are Austrian Jews, enemies of Hitler and England was our only hope and protection. I offered my services on the first day that the War broke out.

I know that you are overwhelmed with work, but I do beg you to give your advice because I do not know what to do and I am terribly afraid lest my son can never rejoin me.

Thanking you in anticipation, I am,

Your Obedient Servant