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1945 The winter of starvation takes its toll

Nol Escher

Weteringschans
Leidse and Wetering neighbourhood
Weteringschans
Leidse and Wetering neighbourhood [+] Enlarge map [-] Reduce map
© Beeldbank WO2 / Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam

Nol Escher - ‘They just picked them up and shot them’

‘Every morning at eight thirty I go down the narrow stairs and walk through the Ferdinand Bolstraat along the Weteringschans to a small park where my school is. Ten minutes earlier my father walks the same route to the local magistrates’ court. Towards the end of the Ferdinand Bolstraat, there have been no trams for some time now, I hear a noise. At first I stand still then I run to the corner of the Weteringschans.

I hear voices around me; ‘That’s for the Kraut that they attacked yesterday. They just picked them up and shot them.’ In a stinking pile of rubbish I can see bodies. Dead people. It’s then that it sinks in. As fast as I can I run to the magistrates’ court, as if I’m in a dream. The porter sits in his office. ‘Is my dad here already?’ I hear myself say. The man shakes his head. ‘There’s nobody here yet.’ I don’t hear a thing and then I hear myself screaming with fear. After a while I feel a hand on my shoulder and look into the eyes of a man I recognize as my father’s colleague. ‘Your dad is here.’ he says and I see my father walk in. He looks at me in a strange way. ‘I had to take another route,’ he says, ‘there was a reprisal. Now go home.’

 

Source: Extract from Nol Escher, Trompetten in de verte: een novelle, written by Emilie Escher, daughter of the author Nol Escher.

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Nol Escher

Nol Escher is eight years old when war breaks out. Because the coastal region is evacuated he moves from Bentveld, a village in the dunes near Zandvoort to Amsterdam. Christmas 1942 the Escher family move into a house where Jews had previously lived on the Noorder Amstellaan number 190. In June 1945 they move back to Bentveld.

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1938 Many Jewish refugees after Kristallnacht

Many Jewish refugees flee to the Netherlands after Kristallnacht. Princess Juliana also feels connected to the Jewish community. But while more attention is drawn to the admittance of more Jews, NSB members threaten more intervention.

1938  Many Jewish refugees after Kristallnacht

1940 Amsterdam occupied

Nothing changes too much for the Frank family in the beginning. Opekta moves to the Prinsengracht. During air raids bombs cause death and injury in Amsterdam.

1940  Amsterdam occupied

1941 Jews allowed to do and less

It starts with a cinema ban but rapidly Jews are banned from virtually all public places. Jewish children must attend separate schools. This also applies to Anne and Margot Frank.

1941  Jews allowed to do and less

1942 It becomes more dangerous for Jews

On her thirteenth birthday Anne Frank receives a diary. A few days later she writes about the situation in Amsterdam. The introduction of the Jewish star and the raids. In July the Frank family goes into hiding.

1942  It becomes more dangerous for Jews

1943 Deportations and attacks

While the Frank family is in hiding thousands of Jews are deported from Amsterdam. The resistance tries to hinder the deportations by attacks including one on the Public Registry. It doesn’t stop them.

1943  Deportations and attacks

1944 Discovered and arrested

On 4 August the people in hiding in the secret annex are discovered and arrested. From Westerbork they are taken to Auschwitz. When the Allies land in the south of the Netherlands there is hope that the country will be liberated. German soldiers and NSB members flee the country after Dolle Dinsdag (‘Mad Tuesday’).

1944  Discovered and arrested

1945 Joy and sadness

A celebration at the Dam on 7 May is ruined when people are killed after German soldiers shoot at the crowd. On 8 May Amsterdam is officially liberated. Otto Frank returns. He knows that Edith is dead. He only hears later that his two daughters have not survived.

1945  Joy and sadness

1946 Slowly the threads are picked up again

On 3 May 1946 the first official commemoration for those who died during the war is held. Anne Frank’s diary is published on 25 June 1947. Life in Amsterdam slowly gets back to normal. Of the 70,000 Jews who lived in the city in 1940 only 10,000 have survived the war.

1946  Slowly the threads are picked up again

1950 Lasting memory

Even five years after the liberation the reverberations from the war are still clearly noticeable. The Jewish community thanks Amsterdam for the help given to Jews with a monument.

1950  Lasting memory
  • 1950

  • To those who protected the Dutch Jews during the years of the occupation. Protected by your love. Encouraged by your resistance. Mourning with you.

    Part of the citation on the monument ‘Jewish Gratitude’
  • picture:Once a year, two minutes silence

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