The Leica Freedom Train Saved Jews

Did you know about the Leica Freedom Train, which saved many hundreds of German Jews?

In 1933 Ernest Leitz 11, a renowned Protestant, and head of the Leica Photography firm, started The Leica Freedom Train, a highly secret method of enabling hundreds of Jews to escape from Germany. Leitz’s Leica workers were assigned to overseas positions, including North America, Britain and Hong Kong . Many went to the USA in the famous liner Bremen. They became prominent in diverse areas, especially photography. Germany’s invasion of Poland closed the highly inventive, courageous and not publicized escape routes. Ernst’s daughter, Else Kuhn, was imprisoned for assisting Jewish women to cross the Swiss border. She later supported Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Africa, She was honoured by many countries for her humanitarian activities.

People ask why the Freedom Train’s story remained untold for so long. The answer is simple: The Family did not want publicity for any so-called “noble efforts”. In a very quiet, methodical and well-planned project, Ernest started what became a highly organised plan to enable Jews to escape Hitler’s terror.

The Freedom Train was very different from other trains Jews were taken away in.