015 August 5th 1943

AMSTERDAM

Dear Mies and Toon

Since I last wrote on July 19th, a lot has happened in Italy; Mussolini has fallen. We are all very wound up waiting to see what is going to happen next. The fascists are finished and yet they are still fighting, in spite of warnings from the Americans and the English. 360 thousand prisoners have been freed and allowed to return to their families and homes. They have been told they can return to their work, and have been given food. They have also been told they may elect a new government. What more do they want? As they still have three Italian divisions fighting under the Germans, they obviously want to see these released and out of the fighting before there can be a peace settlement.

There was another raid here in Amsterdam yesterday. The trams were all halted, also the cyclists and traffic, and all men from ages 45-50 years were picked up and will be sent to the Eastern Front.

Our radios have been taken from us, and we now have to be content with the lying newspapers. I could have cried quite easily when they took mine away. There is nothing for us to rely on anymore, and it leaves us with a feeling of great insecurity. All we can do now is sit and wait to see what they will do to us next.

The town is just like a dull village, it has no life anymore. One hardly sees any young men, they have either been taken prisoner or they have gone underground. It is becoming unbearable. Each day we think "What will happen to-day?".

Ap v.d.Berg's father died on July 30th without having been able to see his son again who was taken prisoner one and a half years ago. Terrible for both parties. His mother now lives in the Beethovenstraat having been evacuated from Bentveld. It never occurred to me that he had come to Amsterdam to die; not even in his own house. Phientje Bos' husband, wim Apon, is on 16 days leave from Germany at the moment. These are anxious times, because when in Germany, the letters he wrote never got through, and so they heard nothing of each other. He is hoping that something will happen whilst he is here, so that he won't have to return.

Are you all well? And are the men folk all at home still. I am so curious to hear of something of you. How long will it be before we can speak to each other again? Everyone is saying it is going well, but it is taking so long, and we can do absolutely nothing to help bring this war to an end quickly. We are tied hand and foot. I could ask you hundreds of questions, but in these letters they couldn't be answered; at least not until the war is over. We must have courage and trust in God, and wait and see how He will sort it all out.

Now dear people, I hope you are all well. Fortunately I am well. As soon as I have the chance I will fly over to you, and we will certainly have lots to talk about.

I finish with a big kiss for everybody and a special one for you Mies.

from your loving Mother.