On 8th February I had the most amazing opportunity to meet a real live piece of living history – Mr. Rudi Oppenheimer – a Holocaust Survivor came to give a very heart-warming talk to students in my school.

Rudi relayed the events leading up to and during the atrocity – now almost 79 years old, he recalls the past to share his story yet again and this is how it all began….

[Photo: Rudi Oppenheimer]

Paul and Rudi were born in 1928 and 1931 respectively to parents Hans and Rita Oppenheimer. They then lived in Belsen where Rudi’s father worked in the bank. In 1936, even though many families wanted to leave Germany and could not, Hans managed to get a transfer to the bank’s Amsterdam branch and so the family moved. They soon settled and were very happy here – but it was only to be short lived. In Mid 1940, the Germans invaded Holland and so began the onslaught of persecution towards the Jews. The Oppenheimers were forced to leave Heemstede in 1942 and move to Naarden, east of Amsterdam. They were allowed to take their belongings and set up home yet again. Hans continued to work at the bank while Rita stayed at home – they attempted to make life as normal as possible for their children whilst all over Holland the Jews were being terrorized. It wasn’t long before the changes began to become apparent – over the following months Jewish children could no longer attend schools, Jews could not be seen in public places – parks, shops, zoos or on transport. Signs were placed everywhere clearly stating that Jews were not welcome. They had their wireless sets and telephones taken away. Identity cards were stamped with a large J to clearly mark their being.

In just under a year the Oppenheimer’s were on the move again – this time to Amsterdam and the property was much smaller than before. They had to surrender some of their belongings and slowly their lives were drifting from them bit by bit. Freedom became even more restricted and more increasing laws were put in place. All Jews had to wear a yellow star – they were even made pay for it. The star ensured the Germans would not miss the chance to humiliate or enforce restrictions upon any Jews. Curfews were put in place forcing Jews to remain indoors or being allowed out only between certain short periods during the day. Jews were slowly being deported and the schools and streets becoming emptier. Rudi’s sister Eve had been born in 1936 during a spell when they stayed with relatives in London and when his father Hans lost his job at the bank he worked at the Jewish Council and immediately became exempt from deportation. He managed to register Eve as a British Citizen and little did they know this would save their lives. When Eve was only 6 they would send her shopping, she was allowed out any time and without the star – due to her dual citizenship of British and German. Rita and Rudi managed to row across the river to exchange jewelry and clothing for bread and milk. Times were extremely hard and it was not looking like it was going to get any better.

The deportation accelerated over the next few months and one Sunday morning in June 1943 the Oppenheimer’s were awakened to the banging on their door to be told to assemble at the end of their street to await instructions regarding transportation to a camp. Despite Hans’ efforts to prove their exemption the officer’s paid no attention – in fact they would spend the next two years living in camps and barracks among hundreds and hundreds of other Jewish sufferers.

They would also be unaware that they would be living with over 15,000 others – and that over 100,000 Jews would gradually pass through there to be deported to go to extermination and concentration camps in Germany and Poland.  

Rudi, Eve and their Mother were housed in one barracks, whilst Paul and his Father were sent to another. It was cramped with no proper toilet, dining or living space. The small hold alls they had were stored under their beds – all element of privacy was discarded. Restrictions and curfews were still in place but if they adhered to the orders then everything was relatively alright. They still feared their deportation to the concentration camps and every Monday usually saw people being taken from Westerbork, never to return. The horrific living conditions became their daily life and until January 1944 when they received a letter that they were to be interned and this time their destination would be Burgen-Belsen. In February of that same year they made the forward journey to the “exchange camp” but they did not realize that what they had left behind was somewhat regal compared to what they about to encounter.

The camp was relatively larger than Westerbork, but much more sinister with SS guards in towers and with vicious dogs patrolling the perimeter. Barbed wire crowned the fences and anyone suspected of entering prohibited areas would be shot. Again, they were spilt up – this time Rudi managed to stay with his Father and Paul. The children were involved in the running of each barrack – helping with food and other general duties. The others worked in the various tents mending shoes and cutting hair.

The misery and squalor was often too much to bear, but they had no choice – they were grateful that they were not subjected to shooting and beatings. Food was rationed among the 4,000 inhabitants and the ever growing filthy living conditions meant that diseases and illnesses were on the rise. They spread through the entire camp – and eventually on 17th January 1945, Rita Oppenheimer died in the hospital barracks – she had died from starvation, sickness and exhaustion just before her 43rd birthday.

The ever growing sight of dead bodies became normality for the remaining family members and little did the children know their next fatal blow was just around the corner. Their Father Hans became ill shortly after this and passed away on 20th March 1945 – of what they were not sure – perhaps a broken heart along with the other diseases he contracted. The Oppenheimer children were now orphans and they struggled through the coming weeks as best they could. The piles of dead bodies were growing and the camp was still as cramped and filthy.

On 9th April 1945 the Oppenheimer’s were evacuated from the Star Camp and walked to the nearest train station were they waited their onward journey – they had no idea what was happening. They began the first stage of their journey on the 10th April. On the 15th April, the camp was liberated by the British Army – they had missed it all. The trains were to be their new homes for the best part of the next few weeks. They only stopped momentarily to salvage food and avoid allied attacks but they continued through the German countryside. Their horrific journey would finally come to an end on 28th June 1945 where they arrived in Maastricht, Holland. From there they would continue to their new life with relatives in England.

You could hear the silence in the whole room, apart from Rudi speaking - relaying the events of their past. It was a very heart-wrenching and sobering story. I couldn’t believe the courage, endurance and exoneration this man displayed. I was truly overwhelmed by the whole experience.

It is true what they say – the past is History, tomorrow is a mystery….

Oisin, Year 8

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