From the files of MI5 in the Public Record Office, London: PRO file WO.208/685a, item 91BWebsite note: From other evidence it is now clear that “Kastner” was Reszö Kasztner, Joel Brand’s colleague in this enterprise; and “Willi” was Dieter Wisliceny, not Adolf Eichmann.

[Index to Joel Brand file on this website ]

NOTE: In order not to distract the reader, explanations of cryptic terms and of name used in the following Report are given as briefly as possible. Further information as to derivations is available if required.Since the beginning of May, a vigorous telegraphic correspondence has been conducted between Nathan Schwalb, head of the World Hehalutz Bureau in Geneva, Zionist relief and rescue workers in Istanbul and leading Zionists and relief workers in Palestine. This has concerned what appears to be concrete proposals for the rescue of a certain number of Jews from Enemy and Enemy-Occupied Territory.

2. The following telegrams give the salient points of this correspondence:-

“Joel (Note: see paragraph 6) Kastner (Note: Hungary) and Shalis (Note: Delegate) wrote us 25.4. detailed stop Willy (Note: see paragraph 7) with him and demanded family proposition included Zyvia (Note: Poland) stop Wilhelm (Note: ?German authorities) ready for Aliyah (Note: emigration to Palestine) possibility stop Greater interest for Arye (Note: U.S.A.) especially if Stephen (Note: U.S.A,) would declare at once his willingness to place him stop Inquire and cable what to do with Szerita (Note: unidentified) Alfred’s (Note: unidentified) friends answered because of Tijula (Note: deportation).”

“To extent Willi’s suggestions serious and likely to facilitate rescue shall try to satisfy his demands. Do we understand correctly that he desires be assured housing with Stephen. Demand he arrange his representative meet Wenia (Note: Pomeranice, Histadruth delegate in Istanbul) in order we know all details measure security realisation promises…..”

“Worried news about Kastner cable details what we must do here and with Stephen (Note: U.S.A.) and Zelig (Note: Great Britain) for their aid.”

“24627 on behalf Kraus Komzly (Note: Kraus is the head of the Palestine Office in Budapest) Community Joel arrived here for short stay stop Tragic report regarding situation Jewish persecutions continuing including deportations stop Submitted proposals regard rescue which cannot deal with here unless Executive decided regarding action to be taken with authorities stop Sending Wenia tomorrow purpose explaining problems involved stop Urging Executive discuss matter immediately on arrival stop Awaiting your cables Saturday stop Our joint opinion imperative member Executive should come immediately but contemplating also Joels journey to see Executive provided assurance given for his return this being condition stop Leaving tomorrow with Joel (a) to Avni (b) purpose information.”

(Note: (a) and (b) identified by Barlas in reply to a servicegram as “Joel Brand” and an official in Ankara).

“According letters 4/4, 21/4 and 23.4 from Neumann (Note: Presumably Emmanuel Neumann, Zionist leader in the U,.S.) and Rabbanim (Note: presumably Rabbis Stephen Wise and Abe Hillel Silver, U.S.) they support affair Willi.”

“208 waited Aleppo four days for authority see friend who arrived Wednesday 7/6 stop Interviewed him Sunday six hours found him one hundred percent reliable was deeply impressed by his purity character spirit self-sacrifice factual exactness soberness stop. After interview friend transported Cairo myself returned Jerusalem Tuesday night reported executive Wednesday saw High Commissioner with Ben Gurion today. High Commissioner cabling London we asked him for transmission Weizman gist our evaluation and proposals including first immediate facilities for me flying London second arrangements for friends return home (see paragraph 12) stop You will learn our main proposal regarding line action from Colonial or Foreign stop High Commissioner informed us regarding Charles (Note: Dr. Chaim Weizman) interview stop Agreed line of keeping door open makes friends return absolutely imperative please do utmost your part expedite my journey stop Inform Nahum (Note: Dr Nahum Goldman, New York)”.

I received the letter from Joel on the 25th April through a messenger. Willi is with him with his plan (the old one). They succeeded in postponing the deportation and got an answer that in principle there is no objection to the emigration (Note: to Palestine) of 600 persons and to an emigration to Arye (Note: the U.S.). In my second telegram I said:

In view of the fact that Wilhelm is in favour of an emigration to Arye, it is indispensable that Tartskower (American Government) should confirm that he is prepared to receive them. The messenger left today….. I transferred about half a million Swiss Francs as Uncle’s present to Joel and Gizi (Note: Hungary and Slovakia – see paragraphs 9 and 10). Also Heini and Rolf sent them presents (Note: presumably Heini Bornstein, representative of Hashomer Hatzair in Basle and Rolf Schloss, Baden, formerly of Holland).

“Bratislava…… Our collaboration with Willy, which was continued very actively during the whole time and has now become even more active has acquired even greater importance in connection with the events in Miklos (Note: Hungary) for the Klal (Note: Jewish Community) there. For Willy has been charged in Miklos with the task which he has previously performed here. He has already taken over his charge there. He talked over the whole problem with him on the very day on which he learnt that he had been put in charge. He has promised not to carry out Gerusz (Note: expulsions) etc. We have also tried to influence him as regards other measures which may effect our comrades. In a few days, one of our comrades will probably go with Willy to Miklos, arrange for contact between Willy and our comrades there and let the latter benefit by our long and hard experience………..” Signed “Oskar”.

“….1. Be careful! Do not write any letters containing political matter…….Do not trust anybody. Do not believe that you can find a messenger able to bring over the mail safely without its being opened. The last two despatches – the first containing 32,750 Stef. (Note: Dollars – term derived from name of Stephen Wise, U.S.?) and the other one 250,000 Nat. (Note: Sw. Frs. – term derived from name of Nathan Schwalb?) and 50,000 Stef. – were handed to me by – no less a person than – Mr Eichmann himself. I received the second despatch unopened, but had to give my word that in case it contained political matter I would communicate it. Thank God it did not…….2. Whether my visit here will really render our situation more easy I shall see after my return. My impression is that also the partners at home mean it honestly and that we shall reach our goal…………… I shall preferably visit you very soon with another business partner of ours………….on our arrival and quickly because the possibility of rescue depends on the rapidity of our actions………………”

11. The Eichmann referred to above is undoubtedly identical with Hauptssturmführer Eichmann (sometimes called “Eichner” of the SS, founder and chief of the German Central Office for Jewish Emigration in Vienna, who is said after the outbreak of war to have had a roving commission over German territory, and to have been for some time in Warsaw. He is therefore well-known to Austrian immigrants here, by whom he is said to have been born in Sarena and educated at the Herzl School In Tel Aviv, to have a good knowledge of Arabic and Hebrew – it seems to have been his practice to tease them in Vienna that he knew their language, while they did not! He is also stated to be a member of the Gestapo.

“On enquiring…………of the Foreign Office……….I was informed that it had been decided to extend the permit to remain in Istanbul for a brief period………….On endeavouring to obtain a definite commitment that no unfavourable action should be taken, without my knowledge………….it was implied that if I would bring the matter up again in a few days, I would be advised of the final decision of the Turkish authorities…………….”

Director-General, Postal & Telegraph Censorship Department, London
MLO, RAF
Chief Secretary (through MLO, RAF)
DSO, HQ. Pal (through MLO, RAF)

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 Hebrew letters re rescue of Slovak Jews intercepted in 1943 by British Palestine Censorship authorities