AMSTERDAM
Dear Mies and Toon
Since September 23rd so much has happened again and yet it would be impossible for me to describe it all. It goes on and on and yet still there is no sign of peace. And people are praying so hard for it. A German priest, from the army, comes here secretly every evening at 7pm, to say Mass. Of course his superiors must never know.
Phientje Bos;'s husband who had been directed to Germany in connection with his work, has been sent back to Holland suffering badly from nerves, after experiencing a heavy bombing attack in Hagen (Westphalia) together with several work colleagues. He worked in Hagen itself but owing to the air raids, slept at night in a small place nearby. One evening they were all at the theatre when the air raid warning was sounded. They left the theatre and went into the street. At that moment the bombs started to fall on the town, so they went into the cellar for shelter. But that was nothing, that, they were well used to. Next they went to the house of an acquaintance, but soon after, the house received a direct hit, so again they ran to the cellar. Then they noticed the house was on fire so they tried to get out of the cellar but couldn't. The exit was blocked with rubble. In desperation, and at their wits end, they hacked at the wall, as every house has a cellar, and got through to the next house. Again a bomb fell on the house, and again they had to hack their way through the wall to get out. Once out they all scattered and Wim (Phientje's husband), found himself alone. Wrapped in a wet blanket, he ran into a wood, it was pitch black, and hardly knowing what he was doing, he ran through the wood bumping into trees and sometimes having to crawl through undergrowth. He eventually emerged in the morning at 7am having been in the wood since 10pm. He went to his living quarters only to find no roof, and no windows there. The factory where he worked had been completely destroyed, only the offices remained. He was by this time so overwrought, that the Director called a Nerve Specialist to see him, who said he must have three weeks rest. And so he returned to Phientje. He spends the whole day crying. you can understand that we are all doing our best to keep him here, and he himself has no desire to go back. However there is a lot at stake, as it would mean the loss of a job and no salary. But we will have to wait and see what happens.
By next January Marie Bos will also be home for good. Another blow for Tanta Anna. And who will want to employ a woman of 53? She has been told she will receive half her salary as a pension, but for how long? I have taken out a life insurance policy for her for 2000 Gilders, and she will get 10 Gilders a month for life starting on January 15th 1944 - her next birthday. Just a small contribution to help see her through.
Now dear Mies and Toon, next time more. a big kiss, and also for the children, who I hope are all well.
Your longing Mother.
