United States Holocaust Memorial Museum The Power of Truth: 20 Years
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Desperate to escape Germany following Kristallnacht and the ransacking of their home near Cologne, the Berg family turned to a distant relative who worked for a prestigious law firm in Kenya to help secure them visas. In May 1939 they packed their sole remaining possessions into steamer trunks and set sail from Genoa, Italy, to Mombasa, Kenya, on board the SS Usambara. In all, more than 20 members of the Berg family fled to Kenya, where they survived the war years by raising cattle and growing plants on two farms with Mt. Kilimanjaro visible in the distance. Photo by Lisa Masson for United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.Two Jewish refugee sisters sit together at the dining room table in their parentCover to a tourist brochure for Kenya acquired by the Berg family shortly after they fled there from Germany, 1939. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, gift of Kurt & Jill Berg PaulyTwo Jewish refugee children sit on the deck of the Usambara while en route to Africa. Pictured are Gisela (right) and Inge Berg (left). 1939. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Kurt & Jill Berg PaulyTwo Jewish refugee children feed the chickens on their familyFive Jewish refugee children pose outside on the lawn of their farm near Limuru, Kenya (Kiambu district), where they found refuge during World War II. Pictured from left to right are Philip Berg (being supported by his Aunt Erna), Hannah Baum, Egon, Gisela and Inge Berg. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Kurt & Jill Berg Pauly
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Steamer Trunks

Desperate to escape Germany following Kristallnacht and the ransacking of their home near Cologne, the Berg family turned to a distant relative who worked for a prestigious law firm in Kenya to help secure them visas. In May 1939 they packed their sole remaining possessions into steamer trunks and set sail from Genoa, Italy, to Mombasa, Kenya, on board the SS Usambara. In all, more than 20 members of the Berg family fled to Kenya, where they survived the war years by raising cattle and growing plants on two farms with Mt. Kilimanjaro visible in the distance. Photo by Lisa Masson for United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Steamer Trunks

Two Jewish refugee sisters sit together at the dining room table in their parent's farmhouse after hearing about the family's plans to emigrate from Germany. Pictured are Gisela and Inge Berg. Lechenich, Germany, 1939. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Kurt & Jill Berg Pauly

Steamer Trunks

Cover to a tourist brochure for Kenya acquired by the Berg family shortly after they fled there from Germany, 1939. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, gift of Kurt & Jill Berg Pauly

Steamer Trunks

Two Jewish refugee children sit on the deck of the Usambara while en route to Africa. Pictured are Gisela (right) and Inge Berg (left). 1939. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Kurt & Jill Berg Pauly

Steamer Trunks

Two Jewish refugee children feed the chickens on their family's farm near Limuru, Kenya (Kiambu district), where they found refuge during World War II. Pictured are Gisela Berg (right) and Hannah Mandlebaum (left), 1944 – 1947. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Kurt & Jill Berg Pauly

Steamer Trunks

Five Jewish refugee children pose outside on the lawn of their farm near Limuru, Kenya (Kiambu district), where they found refuge during World War II. Pictured from left to right are Philip Berg (being supported by his Aunt Erna), Hannah Baum, Egon, Gisela and Inge Berg. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Kurt & Jill Berg Pauly

A Curator’s Perspective on the Trunk

A Curator’s Perspective on the Trunk

After the Berg family narrowly escaped a raid during Kristallnacht, they decided to flee Germany and go to Kenya. They packed up their belongings in steamer trunks and set sail on the SS Usambara. Susan Snyder, Associate Curator, describes their story of survival.

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