From: Cope, LidaSent: Thursday, July 12, 2012 8:44 PMTo: Bord, JosephSubject: RE: Dr. Absolon - personal letters (Summary)Importance: HighLetter to his relatives in the US [from the second letter | understood it's Ali and John - see below]- Apologizes for not writing sooner but the political events of 1948 prevented any contact with the West- Writes that he had to escape Czechoslovakia after he was expelled from "all school in Czechoslovakia" and wasthreatened with hard labor. He was given no reasons. :- Describes his escape and arrival in Salzburg- Says that it was helpful to him to tell people there that he's got relatives in the US- Asks the addressee to send a telegram from someone of significance - an influential American to help him- Says that he's trying to speak English with various people and that it's going OK- Would like to get to Munich and then contact the pre-1948 Czechoslovak government officials in exile, or,possibly study, if he gets a stipend, at Utrecht. He could also work while studying. Still, he says, he'd rather make itto the US.- He says he should write a novel about his experiences when he gets a chance- Back to reality, he's talking about finding dinner that evening- In a note at the end of the letter, he asks them to write to his Mother, but not mention anything about him andwhere he is. [There's something else but hardly legible; would have to spend more time pouring over it. "Pavel" ismentioned there]The second letter -- Munich, April 19, 1948 (some 28 days after his escape, it appears)The letter is to Ali and Johnicek (a diminutive of John), his sister and her husband, living in the US.- Talks about a Herry Lichster who's apparently helping "them" (not sure who the other person or other peopleare)- Says that the telegram they [as Ali and John arranged] sent has helped although it was intercepted by Russiansand so "they" were in danger of being deported; to prevent it, they were quickly transported to a differentlocation.- At this point he seems to be thinking about finding his way to Britain, staying in Europe, but realizes the danger ofdeportation within the occupation zone.- Awaits news from Ali and John- Says that he needs a sponsor in Britain so he could work there; thinks it would be a good opportunity for him toimprove his English as well; eventually, he hopes, he'll get accepted for studies in the US.- The letter includes Herry's [Harry? or Henry? -- again the issue of handwriting] address in case they'd want tosend him something- Says, "bleeping out" some language, something like: Well, what else can | tell you - it was "shit" when | was inCzechoslovakia and it's "shit" here as well; the difference is that had | stayed, I'd have worked in Ostrava mines [amining city in Northern Moravia], but if | make it to Britain, | may end up mining in Britain - some more gloomystuff and complaints- Says that he learned to eat cats and dogs, mend socks, wash dishes, polish shoes, and got used to being abusedby officials there .[And | don't remember if it was the first or the second letter where he says he's going to sell some of his things tobuy "them" [who was he traveling with?] some dinner.]This much | can put together from the notes. It's hardly accurate, but | hope it helps at least some.It was nice to meet you, Joe. | look forward to hearing more about this interesting project.