Ella Deutschkron was married to the high-school teacher and social democrat Dr. Martin Deutschkron. When he escaped Germany for the UK in 1939, she remained behind with their daughter Inge. After the war began, they were unable to join him.
Ella Deutschkron worked at Theodor Görner’s printing press from 1942. He knew she was Jewish and employed her under the false name of Ella Richter. The labor card she received at the press enabled her to buy food in the canteen.
Encouraged by the Gumz family, Ella and Inge Deutschkron went underground in January 1943, hiding in the family’s home. When a neighbor became aware of them, they spent a few nights with Otto Ostrowski and his partner Grete Sommer. Walter Rieck arranged new quarters for them with Lisa Holländer. They were able to stay with her until the end of January 1944, when her apartment was destroyed in an air raid.
Rieck took the two women to Potsdam, where Ella and Inge Deutschkron rented living space in a former goat stable, under the name of Richter. They lived to see the end of the war there. In 1946 they went to England, reuniting the family.
New Year’s Eve at the Deutschkrons’ apartment, top right: Otto Ostrowski, in front of him: his wife Bertha (in apron), to her left: his later partner Margarethe Sommer (with hat and glass), top center: Walter Rieck, left of him: Jenny Rieck, front row, 2nd and 3rd from left: Ella Deutschkron and Martin Deutschkron, Berlin, December 31, 1932. Source: Privatbesitz/Private
Ella Deutschkron’s identity card with a “J” stamp (for Jew) and the compulsory extra name “Sara,” Berlin, issued March 23, 1939. Source: Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand
Ella Deutschkron’s identity card with a “J” stamp (for Jew) and the compulsory extra name “Sara,” Berlin, issued March 23, 1939. Source: Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand
Certificate entitling the “illegal” Ella Deutschkron to buy sewing supplies under the name of Ella Richter, Berlin, issued March 19, 1945. Source: Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand
Ella and Martin Deutschkron, UK, around 1946. Source: Privatbesitz/Private
