Preparing to go into hiding
Otto and Edith Frank are prepared. They have been arranging a secret hiding place and had already planned to go into hiding with their daughters on July 16. Due to Margot's call-up, the planned date is now moved much closer.
In hiding
The Frank family, together with the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer, went into hiding for two years.
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Secret Hiding Place
A secret hiding place is almost ready. Not just for their own family, but also for the Van Pels family: Hermann and Auguste and their son Peter. Hermann van Pels is a business partner in Otto Frank’s company. The next day, the Frank family immediately leaves for the hiding place. All of them carry bags filled with their things. Naturally, Anne brings her diary. Much later, she will look back and write: “My happy-go-lucky, carefree school days are gone forever.”
The Frank family will go into hiding in an empty section of the company premises.
Empty portion of the premises
The hiding place is located in the empty part of Otto Frank's office building at 263 Prinengracht. Hermann and Auguste van Pels and their son Peter have also been taken into consideration. They are going to hide there as well. While the company, located in the front part of the building, goes on with business as usual, the people at the back will stay hidden in the Secret Annex.
The Secret Annex where the Frank family will go into hiding.
A Hectic Evening
The evening of July 5 is extremely hectic. Members of Otto’s staff, who know about the plan, drop by to take as many of the family’s personal possessions to the hiding place. Very early the next morning, Margot leaves the house first and bicycles with Miep to the hiding place. A half hour later, Otto, Edith and Anne depart. They are wearing as many layers of clothing as possible and each of them carries a bag filled with the family's things. They walk to the hiding place in the pouring rain.
Final postcard sent by the Frank family to their relatives in Basel. The postmark is dated the same day the Franks left for their hiding place. In the card, they wish Lunni (Otto's sister Leni) a happy birthday, even though her birthday isn't until 8 September. The relatives in Basel understand from the card that they can no longer be in touch, but that the family is safe, and together.