Herbert Hirsch Collection

Collection

Identifier: AR 11156

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains many postcards between Herbert Hirsch, a front line soldier in the 29th Infantry Division, to his family in Mannheim, and vice versa. Herbert Hirsch's letters describe the difficulty of front line existence, how long his unit has been in certain positions, fallen comrades, joy at receiving letters, postcards and packages from home, and ensures his family not to worry. Postcards from his family provide various news about family members, items they promise to send, etc. There are also photographs of Herbert Hirsch, and one photograph that appears to be his unit at rest. Included in the collection are letters concerning Herbert Hirsch's death in 1917, prayer books for Jewish soldiers, and an oversize map of the Western Front.

Dates

1914-1917

Creator

Hirsch, Herbert, 1895-1917 (Person)

Language of Materials

This collection is in German.

Access Restrictions

Open to researchers.

Access Information

Collection is digitized. Follow the links in the Container List to access the digitized materials.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact:

Leo Baeck Institute, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

email: lbaeck@lbi.cjh.org

Biographical Note

Herbert Hirsch, born Feburary 5, 1895, died February 7, 1917. He was a corporal, then Unteroffiziere, in the 29th Infantry Division of the German Army. This division saw action in major battles such as the Battle of the Somme in 1916. His family owned the Hirsch and Cie ironworks in Mannheim, makers of house and cooking supplies.