The Jewish Star

Yellow cloth Star of David badge with the word 'Jude' (Jew) printed in the centre. From September 1941, the Nazis introduced this badge in Germany to be sewn onto the outer clothing to publicly identify and humiliate Jews. This star was worn by Lothar Cohn, issued to him in Jaworzno, not far from Krakow, in southwestern Poland.

Dr Lothar Cohn was born 13 February 1913 in Laurahütte, (Siemianowice, now Poland). He lived with his parents, Hermann and Anna Cohn (neé Rapp) and sister Lotte. Lotte left for Australia in February 1940.

On 8 May 1940, their small community was ordered to be resettled in Jaworzno. In the course of 1940, many Jews were moved to Jaworzno from several nearby towns, including Siemianowice and Chorzów, which increased overcrowding among the Jews. At the end of October 1940 recruitments began for labour camps.

Lothar was first interned in a camp near Johannesdorf. As camp doctor, he had his own room and a well-equipped surgery next door. He was permitted correspondence and parcels. He was returned to Jaworzno in March 1941. On 4 July he was sent to a Polish camp in Friedland. His job was to treat the sick and dispense medication. He was the only Jew in the camp. Even though it was compulsory, he hardly ever wore his star. His fluent German and "Aryan" looks helped Lothar to become friendly with the Commandant, Polish inmates, and some of the German guards.

In November 1943, he was transferred to a camp in Ottmachau, then again in September 1944 to Katscher. On 22 March 1945, the camp was evacuated. They were liberated by “a bunch of Russian louts, bandits and robbers…” He made his way back to Laurahütte, arriving in April 1945. Rampant antisemitism and compulsory army service persuaded him to leave Poland on 26 July 1945.