Otto Fleischmann

Vienna

Otto Fleischmann, a medical doctor, was taught psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud in Vienna, where he was associated with other psychoanalysts including Anna Freud.

Budapest 1944–1945

After the German Nazi takeover of Austria, Fleischmann went to Budapest, Hungary. In 1944, with the German occupation of Hungary, he received protection from the Swedish Foreign Ministry through diplomatic cover provided by Raoul Wallenberg. Fleischmann subsequently worked with Raoul Wallenberg in his efforts to save Jews in Hungary, 1944–1945.

Swedish embassy in Budapest

Between 1944 and 1945 Karoly Szabo was one of the typewriter mechanics of the Swedish embassy. Dr. Ottó Fleischmann motivated Karoly Szabo to play an active role in the rescue actions of Raoul Wallenberg. Pál Szalai supported his friend Karoly Szabo with important personal documents, signed by the German command in the Battle of Budapest. Ottó Fleischmann prepared Karoly Szabo psychological for the rescue actions, intuitive purchase decision for a leather coat was another key factor. Black leather trench coat, was a means of inspiring fear and respect, and the subsequent Hollywood image of the black-clad, trench-coated Gestapo officer has entered popular culture. In Budapest's Jewish community he was known as "the mysterious man in the leather coat".

Károly Szabó saved Fleischmanns life in December 1944 (witness in Fleischmann papers, Library of Congress).

Karoly Szabo was honored as Righteous among the Nations on November 12, 2012. Pál Szalai was honored as Righteous among the Nations 04.7.2009.

Raoul Wallenberg

The last meeting between Raoul Wallenberg and Pal Szalai, together with Dr. Ottó Fleischmann and Károly Szabó, was on the evening of January 12, 1945 at the Gyopár street Swedish Embassy at Wallenberg's "last supper" invitation. The next day — on January 13 — Wallenberg contacted the Russians to secure food and supplies for the people under his protection. He was detained by the Soviet forces on January 17, 1945.

Menninger Foundation in the United States

After the war, Fleischmann returned to Vienna to work with psychoanalyst August Aichhorn. By 1951, Fleischmann had joined the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas. On 25 May 1956, Dr. Fleischmann was re-elected to serve as Director of the Institute for the year 1956–57. Dr. Fleischmann, head of the psychoanalytic institute was doing psychotherapy behind a one-way vision screen, in full view of all the students. The Clinic became the center of choice for Hollywood stars. Among these were: Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe.