Hello Mr. Davis,
we have been informed by Gerold Schelm that you are looking for my father.Mr. Schelm sent me the picture and i was very moved when i saw it. My dad often told us the story of his appendectomy on the high seas.
He is 85 by now and in good health so far. But he can not remember your person. Have you been in the ward of the ship? He is remembering only very few things, because he was in no good condition then. But he always wanted to thank his jewish doctor who saved his life and took care of him in a very kind way. Maybe you can give us his or his relative´s adddress so he can send his thanks.
Mr Krones only knows that he was "packed in a Bag" and brought to an other ship by some kind of ropeway.There he was immediately operated. He had no general anesthesia but a spinal shot so he remembers the foul smell when his belly was cut open. He got a tube (drainage) and was treated with penicillin every 4 hours.
He remembers guardians sitting near his bed and they told him that the captain asked about him. Later, he was brought to a military hospital where he was operated twice. He was in Camp Edwards, too. From there he was released in november 1945. Back in Germany, he could not return to his home. His family was displaced and they lost everything. He was able to find his mother via an uncle in Vienna (Austria). He then came here to Otzberg where he worked on a farm.
He got to know my mother an they married in 1951. She gave birth to 3 children, unfortunately one of them died early. But fortunately, my mum and dad are alive and kicking. My father was very surprised to hear from someone searching contact and that a picture exists.
Are there more pictures or documents of this event? What is the exact reason for the search of him now, 60 years after ? My father is very curious about your answer.
Attached please find 3 photos of my father. One as a young soldier, his wedding photo and on his 80. birthday with his sister in law (left of him) an his wife (on his right).
With best regards,
Irmgard Pospischil
Hello to America!
The fact that I get once again such interesting news now, after more than 60 years, this I would not have thought. When the letter of the German official place came in Berlin, I could not fancy what from me want. When my daughter showed me then the picture, I was surprised really very much. Often I have told the history of my family and friends. And now there are suddenly pictures of it.
At that time it went for me really very badly, and this transfer of ship to ship on open sea was very strenuous for me. I can remember only few things. I remember, for example, still that I still had to be given a shower by several soldiers before the operation only because I was filthy so terribly. Then I was operated.
I owe to all them have helped to receive my life to me. We were still in the war and it is not natural certainly that one pursues thus a big expenditure with a prisoner of war. Has determined the good care, the care and also the penicillin for my recovery contributed.
Till three weeks I knew generally still nothing. Neither the names of the people to me helped, nor like the ship was called on I was. Nevertheless, I wuste not that I am so important and it would be interested really once, why they have generally searched me. I did not belong to the crew.
To all here with us in our village to which I tell this history now and which shows pictures are impressed very much. I have lost my native country in Czechia after the war, this was heavy very much for me and my family. So, it was probably to be found also so difficultly me.
If the contact with you had already originated 10 years ago, I would have come certainly to the meeting. But, nevertheless, now I am already too old for such a wide trip.
I thank again particularly with the family of Dr. Vitsky and with Tom, the assistant who have operated me at that time so fast.
To all crew members them still live many thanks. And has looked especially to Preston Davis me so long and has also found, in the end.
I wish you and your families health and still many nice years.
Many greetings,
Franz Krones
