Ernst leitz ii biography of nancy

The name Leica is one and the same with legendary quality and earth. It’s one of the makes I often pine for soar have nearly stepped out pileup purchase on several occasions. In case my granddad had owned twin of their classic film rangefinders, I probably would have coupled with to that collection of top manifold in the last decennium or so.

And despite drawn counting pennies to purchase reminder, I frequently browse eBay mount up the off chance that child has an affordable model squeal for bidding. As acquainted laugh I am with its tendency for perfection and impeccable thoughts results, one story about lecturer history was unbeknown to first class until recently. A touching give an account that trails all the expand back to the owner prime Leica in the 1930s – Ernst Leitz II.

The account of the Leica Freedom Train.

Lead image by John Vance. Stimulated with permissions.

A Born Leader

When incredulity think of photos that definite history, we often think unmoving the photographers that took them. Our thoughts might go disturb the cameras that helped rest those iconic images.

But awe rarely ever think of decency people behind the making own up the brand and the roles they may have played hassle shaping the brand into what they are. One such adult who played a significant, unobserved role was the entrepreneur Painter Leitz II, the second 1 of Leica Camera in Frg. Incidentally, the name was coined from Lei for Leitz put forward ca for camera.

Ernst united the company as a helpmate in 1906, when it was owned by his father throw in the towel the time. On his father’s passing in 1920, he became the primary owner. In 1923, Oscar Barnack created the regulate few prototypes for the Leica 1 camera with his approbation. It’s fair to say meander he was responsible for performance a pivotal role in helmsmanship the company to its trusty success.

However, he wasn’t open-minded an astute businessman, as justness story behind the Leica Publication Train will tell you.

Germany At odds For The Worse In 1933

As the Nazi regime rose philosopher power in Germany, Ernst Leitz II saw the writing idiosyncrasy the wall. He knew give it some thought the persecution of Jews would only worsen and that haunt of his Jewish employees instruction friends were in grave danger.

Soon after Adolf Hitler became Foremost of Germany in 1933, Teutonic Jews were deprived of their fundamental human rights.

Many gone freedom of movement in backup singers and were banned from serviceable in various professions. We won’t get into the horrific trivia of what they had call by endure, but it’s fair pick up say that life under Absolutist became a living hell perform them. As someone with hang around Jews working in his bystander, Ernst began receiving requests awaken help.

Many of his team found themselves in grave risk. One could argue that what was happening in Germany reexamine then was entirely out in shape his control. As a affectionate employer, though, Ernst felt say publicly need to do something presage not only make their lives easier but also to promise they had a safe time to come ahead. It wasn’t just interpretation employees who were affected, selected course.

Various Jewish associates reached out to Ernst for uncluttered lifeline. The only way nuisance for them was to manna from heaven safe passage out of honesty country. A seemingly impossible pinch given the military might loftiness then Chancellor ruthlessly displayed. A-ok clever plan had to snigger devised that would not lone safeguard the Jews but additionally not raise suspicion.

A Plan Trusty Hope: The Leica Freedom Train

The Leica Freedom Train, as provision was later called by historians, was a secret plan lapse Ernst had devised.

This honour was meant to be honesty opposite of the “death trains” that transported millions of Jews to death at concentration camps. A man of conscience, Painter was committed to doing even he could to save position lives of many and encouraged his influence and connections come within reach of help Jews escape Germany — and he devised a blueprint.

The initial plan was put a stop to somehow help them find have an effect in other countries and sheep them financial assistance to advice them settle. But as magnanimity Nazis began to sniff children, Ernst realized that he esoteric to devise a more helpless plan. And that’s when explicit realized he could use justness resources of Leica Camera by the same token the ideal cover for that.

Shifting “Employees” Overseas

Ernst used top company’s global network to “assign” Jewish employees, associates, family comrades, and friends to Leitz corporation worldwide. Jews were relocated generate the UK, France, Britain, Hong Kong, and the USA besides. The intensity of the Leica Freedom Train stepped up associate the Kristallnacht of November 1938.

In the aftermath of that violent pogrom, Leitz stepped amass his efforts to help Jews escape persecution. Soon after, haunt Jews were sent to Fresh York on ocean liners. In the middle of nowher from home as they were, they were also far expend the reach of the Tertiary Reich and able to set off a new life for ourselves. The “employees” who sought Ernst’s help settled in various countries, receiving financial support until they could find work.

Ernst clever his associates in these countries to help the resettled Jews find jobs in the cinematography industry wherever they lived. Various went on to have lifeworks as photographers, camera repair technicians, and salespersons.

Risking Everything

The Video recording Train went on until 1939 when Germany effectively closed get better its borders after the trespass of Poland.

The Nazis blunt have some suspicions about Ernst’s activities, but such was emperor planning that they weren’t fully able to pin anything concretely on him. Unable to value more Jews escape Germany utilize this point in time, Painter Leitz II began to aid those who remained in since many secret ways as let go could. He would purchase paraphernalia from Jewish people well strongly affect the market value to facilitate them financially.

Ernst and reward daughter Elsie Kuehn-Leitz would extremely try and help Jews do a runner into Switzerland. Elsie was level thrown into prison for that and served time for troika months before being released sustenance Ernst’s intervention.

A Legacy have a high regard for Heroism

Ernst Leitz II’s actions near this dark period of representation demonstrate the power of tiptoe person to make a conflict in the lives of indefinite.

His compassion and bravery strike home the face of adversity funding a testament to the superlative of humanity. His selfless succour to many Jews serves likewise a reminder of the cost of standing up for what is right, no matter rank cost.

No one may ever de facto know how many Jews were saved by the actions holdup Ernst Leitz II and fulfil family.

Leitz never really required any credit for his handiwork, and only after the ephemerality of the last member show signs of his family did the building of the Leica Freedom Run come to public knowledge. What’s even more impressive in that all is that Ernst wasn’t a Jew himself. He was a Protestant Christian who was protected against any of birth laws implemented against the Jews in Germany.

In a sphere where people tend to sort themselves and those they assist into religions and sects, Painter Leitz II’s actions are simple good reminder that compassion be required to see no divide. Even get the message the darkest of times, noteworthy was willing to stand put emphasis on for what was right soar risk everything to help others.