In the name of the Red Cross: “With the highest esteem”

Empty phrases like this reveal how the ICRC betrayed its own principles. For the women held in Ravensbrück concentration camp, the consequences were devastating

Ausschnitt aus einem IKRK-Schreiben

On October 29, 1863, the groundwork was laid for the First Geneva Convention. On that day, at the first conference of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), delegates from 16 countries pledged to uphold humanitarian principles in future armed conflicts, acting neutrally, impartially, and as intermediaries. But these statutes failed the millions imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps. Desperate letters sent to the organization from relatives seeking contact with their mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters-in-law in Ravensbrück concentration camp bear witness to that failure. Here we present a selection of individual stories that are documented in Committee correspondence held in our archives.

Their lives were upended from one day to the next: Mothers, businesswomen, teachers – arrested and deported because they were Jews, or socialists, or in love with the wrong man. Their relatives did not always grasp the seriousness of the situation at first, but after weeks and months without news, they began to worry. In their distress, they turned to the ICRC.

Role of the ICRC during the Nazi era

The ICRC endeavors to obtain information about the whereabouts and state of health of the abducted women and approaches the German Red Cross (DRK) with the utmost respect. National Red Cross Societies are responsible for implementing humanitarian measures on the ground. And indeed, the DRK transmits information to Geneva, as it officially continues to adhere to the Geneva Convention. But that will soon change.

Chronology and reasons for the failure
Ausschnitt aus einer Antwort des DRK ans IKRK.

Words of hope from England for Hedwig Feinkuchen

In an effort to lift their mother’s spirits, Hedwig Feinkuchen’s daughters sent her messages through the ICRC. “Don’t worry about us,” the Jewish sisters wrote from England. A Kindertransport had saved them from being deported from Cottbus. Now, they feared for their mother’s health in Ravensbrück concentration camp. She was 49 years old when the Gestapo transported her to the Bernburg killing center in 1942. 

Read Hedwig’s story
Nachricht der Töchter an Jochebeth Feinkuchen

Anxiety in Paris over Käthe Leichter

Käthe Leichter’s family suffered many months of anguish before finally finding out that she was “in a good general condition” in Ravensbrück concentration camp in March 1940. Following her conviction for high treason in Vienna in 1938, socialist and women’s rights activist Käthe had vanished without a trace. The ICRC had to send several inquiries before they received any information. Käthe Leichter shared the same fate as Hedwig and Olga: she was murdered in Bernburg.

Read Käthe’s story

(No) post from Brazil to Alice Lesser

Alice Lesser survived Ravensbrück concentration camp. She was held there for almost six years – because she stood by her Jewish husband. She wrote poems to keep her spirits up, dedicating them to Käthe Leichter. Her relatives repeatedly contacted the ICRC with inquiries about her whereabouts and her state of health; they also asked to be allowed to send her postcards from Brazil, which is where she eventually emigrated.

Read Alice’s story