Henry Landman papers

The Henry Landman papers contain biographical materials, “V-mail” letters, emigration and immigration files, photographs, wartime newspapers and newsletters, World War II memorabilia, writings, restitution files, and financial records documenting the Landmann family from Augsburg, their immigration to the United States, and Henry Landman’s participation in World War II and the liberation of his hometown. Biographical materials include birth, immunization, medical, and marriage certificates, school and military records, and identification papers for Henry Landman, his parents, and his sister. This series also includes awards, programs, and clippings documenting Henry Landman’s participation in sports activities and military records documenting his active service in Europe and decorations he received during World War II. Also included are receipts for money orders sent to Henry and Josef Landman while they were imprisoned in Dachau in 1938, lists of Jewish residents of Augsburg deported to concentration camps, and lists of Henry Landman’s family members killed in concentration camps. Correspondence files primarily include the “V-mail” letters Henry and his parents exchanged between the United States, North Africa, and Europe during World War II. They also include prewar birthday greetings to his parents, letters from his mother’s sister in Frankfurt, the last letter Henry Landman’s family received from his grandparents, and photocopies of postwar letters from Mr. and Mrs. Alex Oberdorfer to Mr. and Mrs. Jungster describing life in Augsburg during the war and the fates of several of Augsburg’s Jewish residents. Files documenting the Landmans’ departure from Germany and immigration to the United States include records regarding Germany’s requirements of the Landman family before exiting Germany and the United States’ requirements before the Landmans’ immigration. German records document tax requirements, police registrations, and currency laws. American records document visa requirements, the Landmans’ transfer from the Polish visa quota to the Russian visa quota, and naturalization certificates for Henry’s parents. This series also includes letters of recommendation for Henry Landman and his family. Photographs depict Henry Landman and his family, American troops, German and Italian cities, and German synagogues. Three photo albums document the Landmans’ prewar life in Augsburg, Henry’s participation in sports in Germany, and his military service in World War II. This series also includes copy prints of leaflets dropped by Germany on American troops at Anzio and photographs taken from captured German soldiers in 1945 that depict France after the German invasion and other military and civilian wartime scenes in Germany, Yugoslavia, and Hungary. Printed materials include prewar and wartime copies of German and American newspaper, German newsletters, a regimental history of the Fifth Army’s Italian campaign, and a neo-Nazi leaflet. Some of the materials are photocopies. World War II memorabilia includes leaflets air-dropped by the American and German militaries, a 1943 invitation from the Gauleiter of Salzburg, a program and news clipping from the 1944 Anzio Passover Seder, and notes of gratitude from liberated French citizens. Henry Landman participated in the Anzio Seder and picked up the other items while fighting in Europe. Writings include two articles written by Henry Landman that were published in the Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung in 1985 and 1988 and a manuscript for a 1992 biography, A Return Home: The Henry Landman Story, written by Ralph López based on interviews with Landman. Restitution files and financial records include correspondence, bank records, and a ledger document the Landmans’ efforts to recover funds blocked in Germany and to receive restitution for Holocaust losses and assets held in Switzerland.

The Henry Landman papers are arranged as eight series: I. Biographical materials, 1907-approximately 1990 (bulk 1907-1939), II. Correspondence, 1918-approximately 1990 (bulk 1940-1945), III. Departure from Germany and immigration to the United States, 1938-1945, IV. Photographs, approximately 1915-1985 (bulk 1935-1945), V. Printed materials, 1943-approximately 1990 (bulk 1943-1945), VI. World War II memorabilia, approximately 1943-1945, VII. Writings, 1985-1992, VIII. Restitution files and financial records, 1936-2003