Carte d'Identite de Travailleur Étranger for Erwin Fuchs
Entry/Object ID
502.77.2025
Scope and Content
Faded pink identity card from the International Camp Colomb Bechar-Djedid (Sahara) dated 13 Feb 1944 where Fuchs was interned after being discharged from the French Foreign Legion because he did not re-enlist once his tour of duty was up. Officially he was told that he was placed in the camp because, as a Hungarian national, as soon as he became a civilian he would be considered an "enemy alien". Unofficially, he believed that the Foreign Legion was very short of non-commissioned officers and they hoped that if they interned soldiers in such camps that they would change their minds and re-enlist.
There is no passport photo of the holder but to the left of where the photo should be is stamped the word "ECONOMAT". Beneath where the photo would be placed are the holder's left and right thumb prints, over the bottom of which are two circular stamps, one purple, one black. Details about the carrier are written in purple ink. There are pencil sketches scribbled on the back cover and a piece of paper tape in the upper left corner of the back. There are two holes punched in the upper right edge of the front cover.
