This collection of correspondence (1-8) was written between various individuals in South Africa, Germany and England. The letters and their writers provide a glimpse into the wide network of Nazi and Anti-Jewish alignments and associations between Europe and Southern Africa, which existed prior to World War II and continued in post-war years. It includes the following:
Henry H Beamish
Henry Hamilton Beamish (1873-1948), known as H.H. Beamish, originated from Britain and had fought in the Boer War (South African War) and in World War I for the South African infantry. H.H. Beamish had wide connections to the German Nationalist Party (Nazis) and its leaders, gave talks about the 'threats from International Jewry' and was the founder of the Britons Publishing Company. He published "The Jews' who's who: Israelite finance: its sinister influence" in 1921. He lived in Southern Rhodesia.
Letter 3 - U.Bodung-Verlag
This letter addressed to H.H. Beamish was written by a member of the U.Bodung-Verlag, probably even Ulrich Fleischhauer. Ulrich Fleischhauer (1876-1960) was the founder of this publishing firm, based in Erfurt/Germany, a staunch anti-semite and a follower of the Pan-Aryan movement, closely connected to leaders of the Nationalist Party of Germany (Nazis). From 1933 the publisher developed into the Welt-Dienst (World service), a Nazi and Anti-Jewish news agency with an English speaking bulletin. Fleischhauer was instrumental in the defense of the Swiss nationals who stood trial for promoting racial hatred in Bern 1935 - the letter mentions the Bern trial. He organised a number of Pan-Aryan Anti-Jewish congresses, referred to in the letter as well.
Also mentioned in the letter is the alleged connection of followers of Jehova's witnesses to the Copperbelt strike by African miners in 1935, claiming their direct involvement in the instigation of the strike. Makes reference and attaches an extract from the Year Book of Jehova's Witnesses for 1936 - see item numbered 4 attached.
Letter 5 - John Griffen
Written by John Griffen to H.H. Beamish, mentions a widely believed Anti-Jewish conspiracy, being the "crisis over the King" (Edward VIII, later Duke of Windsor) whose wife was allegedly the niece of Solomon Warfield (a Jewish American financier), albeit the fact that both the Duke of Windsor and his wife Wallis Simpson were suspected of being Nazi sympathizers.
Letter 6 - Henry Dixon
Residing in England, writing to Dr Gericke, wanting to come to South Africa for business purposes. with response letter by Gericke, providing an overview of South Africa.
Letter 7 - Rudman
Contains a distribution list for recipients of literature in Africa and Europe, referring to themselves as "we are all in the Whiteman's Battle against the 'Disciples of Satan' ".
Letter 8 - Arnold Leese
Letter written by Arnold Leese to Dr Gericke (see letter 6 and distribution list Letter 7). Arnold Spencer Leese (1878-1956) was the founder of the Imperial Fascist League in Britain. He met H.H. Beamish in the mid 1920s who introduced Leese to anti-Semitism, and utilising materials distributed by Fleischhauer's Welt-Dienst (World Service). After the War he formed the National Workers Movement and published the Anti-Jewish magazine Gothic Ripples (mentioned in this letter).
