#ingeborg meyer

A Different Homefront Experience

The homefront during the first and second World Wars was marked with outpourings of patriotism, restraint and focus on the war effort.  Women notably “did their part” moving into industries and work vacated by men fighting overseas.  Here is a peek at a different homefront, that of alien enemy women: women who were born (or married to men who were born) in enemy nations. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we introduce three women whose wartime experiences were unique.

Ingeborg Meyer was the common-law wife of Claes Adler, a physical trainer and masseuse in Beverly Hills.  Ingeborg was paroled throughout the war, required to remain in the Los Angeles area, check in with her sponsor and to have her landlady listen to her phone calls.  Her friends were continually interviewed by immigration agents.  Marguerite Neitz (daughter of film director Alvin J. Nietz) said, “she may be meek and mild in some instances, but she definitely has a mind of her own.” Included here is the report submitted by Neitz about Meyer’s activities between March and October, 1942.

Lollie Murff Bretschneider, born in Texas and Dolores Padilla Bachman born in Mexico, became alien enemies due to their marriage to German citizens.  Bachman and Bretschneider were required to register with the Department of Justice, listing their parents, siblings and children as well as their husbands.  Attached are excerpts from their registration affidavits.

See Women’s History Month website here.

Enemy Alien Case Files, 1941-1948. Record Group 85: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004. National Archives Identifier 6217699.