Life_under_Siege_The_Jews_of_Magdeburg_under_Nazi_Rule.pdf

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students of his college. In the ensuing investigation Hirschland’s diaries were
uncovered. Both Sabatzky 137 and Voss confirm that the diaries record amongst
more pedestrian events, a sordid side of Hirschland’s life. Voss recorded that he
blushed with shame when he read the entries. 138 In his memoirs, Sabatzky writes
that the alleged exploits of Hirschland should not have been glossed over, as he
may have abused his position. However, he also writes that should Hirschland be
found guilty, such a crime would normally have attracted a prison term of three
years. 139
Owing to the mentioning of Voss’s name in a cursory manner in Hirschland’s
diaries, Voss was later called upon as a witness in the trial. According to Voss, the
legal counsel for the office of the public prosecutor, a man by the name of Kürth,
sought every avenue of attempting to accuse Voss of crimes as well. 140 Voss was
targeted for interrogation and subjected to scrutiny because of his Jewishness. All
parties involved intended to use the situation to the best advantage for the further
vilification of not only the Jews in the city, but nationally as well.
The trial was set for 18 June 1935. Eight days before the trial, advertisements
were placed in trams, on billboards and all over the city advertising the
‘sensational court case against the race defiler Hirschland.’ 141 Demonstrations
were organised, where representatives of the Gauleiter and Chief Editor Holz of
137 Kurt Sabatzky, Meine Erinnerungen an den Nationalsozialismus, undated, File ME
541; MM65, LBIA NY, op. cit., p. 26.
138 Fritz Voss, Sensationsprozess ‘Rassenschänder Hirschland, 21. Oktober 1935,
Collection 0.2, File 1079, YVA, op. cit., p. 1.
139 Kurt Sabatzky, Meine Erinnerungen an den Nationalsozialismus, undated, File ME
541; MM65, LBIA NY, op. cit., p. 26.
140 Fritz Voss, Sensationsprozess ‘Rassenschänder Hirschland’, 21. Oktober 1935,
Collection 0.2, File 1079, YVA, op. cit., p. 1.
141 Ibid., pp. 1–2.