Threat of War
Via their friends and acquaintances, the Frank family stays up-to-date regarding developments in Nazi Germany. The discrimination against Jews continues to increase. German Jews become second-class citizens in their own country. Jewish teachers and civil servants are fired from their jobs, marriages between Jews and non-Jews are forbidden, and Jews may no longer run their own businesses.
Anne writes:
“After May 1940, the good times were few and far between: first there was the war, then the capitulation and then the arrival of the Germans, which is when the trouble started for the Jews.”
The Netherlands under German occupation
The Frank family is in danger once more.
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Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass)
During the night of November 9, 1938, the Nazis organize a wave of violence against the Jews of Germany. More than 100 Jews are murdered during "Kristallnacht." Hundreds of synagogues and Jewish stores are destroyed, thousands of Jewish men rounded up and locked away in concentration camps and prisons. The Nazis also arrest Edith's two brothers, Julius and Walter Holländer. Because Julius fought for the Germans during World War I, he is released almost immediately. Walter is finally released on December 1, but only after he promises to leave Germany for good.
Kristallnacht (Crystal Night)
During Kristallnacht (The Night of Breaking Glass) the synagogue in Aachen is destroyed. Otto and Edith Frank were married in this synagogue.
Fleeing Aachen Germany
Walter goes to the Netherlands and ends up in a camp for Jewish refugees. Julius stays in Aachen until he can arrange a visa with the help of a family member in the United States. He departs in April 1939, followed by Walter in December. Edith’s mother, as well, prefers not to stay in Germany. In March 1939, she is allowed to depart for the Netherlands, but in turn, she must leave all her worldly goods behind in Germany. She moves in with her daughter Edith and son-in-law, Otto Frank.
War breaks out
In 1939, the threat of a war continues to increase. Nazi Germany has built up a massive army. On September 1, 1939, the German Army attacks Poland. This signals the beginning of World War II. The Dutch population and the refugees from Germany hope the Netherlands will remain neutral, just like they were during World War I.
The German army at the Grebbeberg
Netherlands is occupied
What everyone fears comes to pass on May 10 1940: the German Army attacks the Netherlands. After four days of fighting, German planes bombard the center of Rotterdam. When the German high command threatens to bomb other cities, the Dutch Army surrenders. The occupation of the Netherlands begins on May 15, 1940.
The centre of Rotterdam is bombed and destroyed in 1940.