Fritz (Bedrich) Haendel
21.6.1910. Fritz (Bedrich) Haendel is born in Vienna VII, Stellgasse, 7, to Samuel Haendel and Marianne (nee Deutsch) whose father, Alfred Deutsch owns a shipping company “Alfred Deutsch & Co.” in Reichenberg (Liberec).
1914. WW1 breaks out. Marianne with her sons Fritz and Hans (later Johannan) move to Reichenberg.
1916. Alfred Deutsch dies.
1917. Fritz’s education starts with private tuition in languages and music. Later, at the German school, Fritz’s favorite pursuits are model building, languages, sports and cartoon drawing.
1919. Samuel Haendel dies of Spanish flu.
1921. In the Czechoslovakian General Census Marianne registers her sons as Germans.
1923. Fritz joins Maccabi, studies Hebrew with Reichenberg Rabbi Emil Hoffmann. The school’s art teacher Prof. Sitte notices Fritz’s special talent in art.
1926 – 1928. Fritz’s maternal uncle Leo Levitus, manager of “Alfred Deutsch & Co.” trains both Fritz and his son Peter to work in the family business. During summer vacations he sends Fritz for training to France.
1928. Finishes school, does a year’s course at Commercial School. Works in the family business.
1934. Fritz’s mother is ill with cancer. He moves with her to Jablonec, where she soon dies.
Till 1938. Does regular military reserve duty in infantry regiment No. 30 “Alois Jirasek.”
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