In the heart-wrenching book “Nur 24 Zeilen” (Only 24 Lines) by Erika von Wietersheim, the extraordinary life story of her father, Kurt Falk, a young German caught in the turmoil of World War II, unfolds with gripping intensity. Set against the backdrop of unsuspecting lives disrupted by the outbreak of war, the narrative brings to life the profound impact it had on individuals like Kurt and the unwavering resilience they displayed.

Kurt Falk, residing in Cape Town in 1939, faced the threat of internment at the outbreak of WWII in September 1939 and embarked on a perilous sea journey to reach Germany via Mozambique. However, his plans were abruptly shattered when he was captured by the British at sea. He was initially imprisoned in Britain and survived the sinking of a ship en route to Canada, one of the mere 200 survivors amongst approximately 2,000 passengers and crew. Following a lengthy and arduous sea voyage, he found himself confined in an internment camp in Australia for six long years. Throughout this tumultuous period, Kurt penned heartfelt letters to his girlfriend, who would later become his wife, offering a glimmer of hope in their enduring love story.

What truly astonishes in von Wietersheim’s book is the logistical marvel of how letters managed to traverse the vast distances between internment camps in Britain and Australia to South Africa and Germany during the war years. Despite the ever-present danger of sinking ships, the chaos of conflict and the transitory nature of the camps, these letters persevered, albeit with months of delay. It stands as a stark contrast to the present day, where the postal system in South Africa is but a shadow of its former self. A Christmas letter from North Carolina, mailed in November 2022, only reached its destination in Cape Town at the end of May 2023.

An often overlooked fact is that, at the onset of the war, all men of German, Italian, and Russian descent in British territories, including South Africa and Australia, were swiftly placed in internment camps. In South Africa, these camps were strategically situated in remote areas like Koffiefontein and Baviaanspoort, minimizing contact between detainees and the general population. Families were left without a source of income, compelling the women to face the challenge of survival.

Conditions in the South African internment camps varied, initially marked by harsh overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate healthcare. However, as the war progressed and it became apparent that the internees posed no significant threat, treatment improved to some extent. Red Cross inspections played a crucial role in enhancing conditions, granting internees certain privileges such as access to books and educational activities.

Following the war’s conclusion in 1945, the release of internees in South Africa was a gradual process commencing in 1946. However, returning to normalcy proved far from straightforward. Many detainees endured months or even years of waiting before being permitted to return home. Rebuilding their lives presented numerous challenges. Some chose to return to Germany, some were deported in spite of having lived in South Africa for many years before the year 1939,  while others opted to remain in South Africa. For some, particularly those from the eastern regions of Germany now under Soviet control, there was no home to return to, and any property they once possessed would have been confiscated.

Tens of thousands of foreign nationals, deemed “enemy aliens,” including Germans, Italians, and even German Jews who had sought refuge in Britain, were interned. Britain sought to relocate these prisoners to camps in Canada and Australia as swiftly as possible, an arduous task given the constant threat of German submarines. Tragically, many transport ships were sunk without survivors, essentially sealing the fate of those unfortunate enough to find themselves in the wrong place during Hitler’s declaration of war. Their only “crime” was their nationality.