Figure 1.-- An American press photographer took a portrait of Ernest Fischbach, a cabin boy on the Graf Zeppelin when it landed at Lakehurst, New Jersey (1929). Most German boys in the 1920s finished school at about 14 years of age. Only a minority of children persued secondary studies.

An American press photographer took a portrait of Ernest Fischback, a cabin boy on the Graf Zepplin when it landed at Lakehurst, New Jersey (1929). Most German boys in the 1920s finished school at about 14 years of age. Only a minority of children persued secondary studies. So the boys finished scgools got a range of jobs. Many began aprenticeships. Ernest got a job on the Gran Zeppelin which must have been a really exciting experience for him. The caption read, "Ernest Fischback, 15-year old German cabin boy on the Graf Zeppelin and youngest member of the crew, will serve in the same capacity when the giant air liner starts its world cruise thursday." The photograph was dated August 6, 1929. A reader writes, "I am sure that this boy's correct name was ERNST FISCHBACH and that he was Jewish." The caption on the photograph did read Fishback, but of course the reporter could have easily spelled the boy's name wrong. A reader writes, "Ernest was as I understand a stow away. He was trying to get to America to be a film Star." Apparently the captain put him to work when he was discovered. This was possible because it occurred in 1929, more than 3 years before the NAZI take over. We suspect that Jewish staff was dismissed soon after the NAZIs seized control of Germany, but this varied in the private sector. We do not have details as to what transpired at the Zeppelin company or what happened to Ernest.

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Created: 9:59 PM 1/25/2008
Last edited: 2:31 AM 2/24/2014