'The Correspondence of Conrad Richard Anton Altmann to his family in Ulm, Germany during his imprisonment 1914-1918' ('Die Briefe von Conrad R A Altmann an seine Familie in Ulm aus der Kriegsgefangenschaft 1914-1918')
Date(s): 1910s
Creator(s): Altmann, Heinz
Scope & Content: Illustrated transcriptions and translations of letters written by Conrad and letters received by him from family created by Altmann's son Heinz at Oakwald during the winter of 2002. Over 150 letters were sent home by Conrad, over 250 received from family and about 500 packages reached him during his internment at Knockaloe.
The last letter from Knockaloe is dated 16 February 1918 and contains no mention of a forthcoming exchange to Holland. On 27 February 1918 Contrad was notified that together with twelve others from his compound they would be transferred to the neutral country of Holland. On 1 March 1918 they left Knockaloe arriving in Holland on 11 March.
In a letter from Arnheim-Wofhezen dated 22 March 1918 Conrad describes the circumstances of departure from Knockaloe, selected perhaps because he had been diagnosed as being anaemic (as were many in the camp) as well as having previously had pleurisy. He found out on 27 February that he was to be transferred 'and the evening passed with congratulations by those poor ones, who had to remain in dreadful Knockaloe'. He continues, 'The news of my exchange hit me like a thunderstroke. All night long I couldn't sleep, and it was very very hard for me to say good-bye to my mates with whom I had shared the pains of captivity for 3 1/2 long years. We had become a close-knit band, after all, and I felt like a deserter in leaving them behind. Despite all efforts, the tears ran down the faces of the old boys. But they were happy that I could leave and lovingly helped me pack my few belongings'.
Administration / Biographical History: Conrad Richard Anton Altmann (born in Germany) was interned at Knockaloe Alien Detention Camp on 10 August 1915. He was transferred to Alexandra Palace on 1 March 1918 and spent eight months in Holland in 1918 before relocating to Germany.
Altmann was taken into British custody on 25 August 1914 off Gibraltar when on board the Italian steamer Caserta bound for Genoa. He was held in Gibraltar until 23 December when he sailed for England, docking in Southampton on 30 December. From there he was held aboard HMT Royal Edward off Southend-on-Sea before transfer in early June 1915 to Alexandra Palace. On 10 August 1915 Conrad was moved again along with 700 others to Knockaloe Camp, Isle of Man.
Language: German, English
Extent: 2 folders
Item name: transribed and translated correspondence
Collection: Manuscript Archive
Level: FONDS
ID number: MS 15381
Record class: Private
Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.im