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It is the late 19th century, two German speaking Jewish families: ten Königsfeld siblings in the German Empire and nine Aufricht siblings not too far across the border in the Austrian Empire grow up in a safe and secure environment. By chance Hugo Aufricht and Flora Königsfeld meet in German Upper Silesia, marry and look forward to a peaceful and happy life. The city of Beuthen and other towns in German Silesia becomes the focal point for both families. The Great War is disruptive, but the family endures. However, in its aftermath, with the emergence of Czechoslovakia and Poland, Hugo and Flora and their two children face the first upheaval - living through the Polish Revolts. By 1933 the first signs of racial hatred towards Jews become evident and the great dispersion begins. Of the initial 19 Königsfeld and Aufricht siblings, 5 died before WWII, 3 emigrated and 10, possibly 11, fell victims to the holocaust. Of their children, 20 emigrated and were to be found in eight countries on five continents.This story touches on the fate of some family members: Ernst Josef the theatre empresario who produced the Threepenny Opera; the novelist Hans whose promising writing career took a different turn; Günther who joined the Czech Battalion of the Allied armies; Werner, the authors father, who miraculously managed to migrate to New Zealand; Flora, who suffered so much in the Lodz ghetto where she died from starvation; and, taking the saga full circle, Michael, the author, who grew up in safety and security as a first generation New Zealander. Luck (and bad luck) have much to do with their destinies. This is not a unique story. It has been written many times before, but all stories touching on, and being touched by, individual experiences, keep alive memory of the best of times and the worst of times.
eBook details
- Title: What's Luck Got To Do With It?
- Author : Michael Alford
- Release Date : *
- Genre: Books,History,World
- Pages : * pages
- Size : * KB
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