Ralph Anspach

Born 15 March 1926, Danzig

In 1933 the Nazis came to power in the Free State of Danzig. 

They were elected democratically.

At first, conditions were not so difficult for Jewish people. 

I attended German elementary school.

One day a racist professor visited our class.

Using a calliper he measured the skulls of each of the students. 

With the examination done I was declared the perfect Aryan. 

The class laughed. They all knew that I was Jewish. 

"Jews with blond hair and blue eyes are particularly dangerous", he said. 

In 1936 Jews were expelled from schools.

Signs began to appear. ”Jews Not Welcome". 

At restaurants, movie theatres, park benches, even at the beach. 

Father obtained an American visa so we left in 1938.

Grandfather had an antique store in Berlin and refused to leave. 

"I am an Austrian", he said. "Why should I worry?"

Later, Hermann Goering entered his store and wanted to buy a painting. 

Grandfather would not accept his offer so Goering left. 

Grandfather was collected by the Gestapo the next day. 

He was taken to a death camp. 

Grandmother continued to live there till 1942. 

When she heard that she would be "resettled" she knew what it meant. 

Before the Germans could take her she gassed herself.