Leica Freedom Train

Discussion in 'The Holocaust' started by Owen, Apr 4, 2015.

  1. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Za Rodinu, CL1 and Guy Hudson like this.
  2. Bernard85

    Bernard85 WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    good day owen,super moderators,yesterday.07:54pm.re:leica freedom traim.i had heard of the leica camera.and binoculars,but never about the family businiss.when we were young we all aspired to owning a leica camera and plenty came on the market as troops came home on leave.each had a tale to tell.they charged to much for me .so i never ownd one.but the story of the family .they were fifty years ahead in the treatment of there work force.as for helping the jews they took a big chance on there own lives,a very interesting post.great links.regards bernard85
     
  3. TriciaF

    TriciaF Junior Member

    Thanks for those great links Owen - never heard of it before. Though we did once have a Leica camera. I wonder how many they saved?
     
  4. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  5. TriciaF

    TriciaF Junior Member

    Fascinating, but imagine having to work in those tunnels!
    To answer my own question above, I read on another link that the company saved 50 Jews to the USA, and 23 elsewhere.
     
  6. Over Here

    Over Here Junior Member

    Initially it all sounded very good until I read that these were mostly his own skilled employees he was saving; not exactly unmixed motives judging by appearances. As for the slave laborers who Leitz used, one wonders how they were treated?

    How you treat those most useful to you and how you treat those who have no claim on your humanity except their own, those are often very different things.
     
  7. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Thanks Owen for drawing our attention to this lesser known story about the Leica fanily

    I am also reminded that during the period when the BBC People's War was active we had some pretty gripping stories relating to the Holocaust and I was pleased to see that I responded at the time

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/08/a6573008.shtml

    Ron
     
    Za Rodinu likes this.
  8. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Hot air manufacturer

    Thank you for your cynicism, a healthy trait to keep us balanced. Perhaps you might like to expand on the subject you raised, like timelines, who was in charge, numbers of "genuine" workers, numbers of slave labourers, how they were treated (if I may borrrow your own words) and by whom?
     

Share This Page