Tweede missie van Tobias Biallosterski uitgevoerd samen met de marconisten Pieter de Vos en Paul Polak.
Verder met Tobias Biallosterski: via het Marine Lazarett in Heiloo, waar men weinig voor hem kon doen kwam Tobias op zondag 11 februari terecht in de Duitse afdeling van het Wilhelmina Gasthuis in Amsterdam. Hier werd hij aan zijn verwondingen geopereerd. De SiPo in Amsterdam heeft waarschijnlijk het SD hoofdkwartier in Den Haag op de hoogte gesteld dat men een grote vis te pakken had. Otto Haubrok kreeg de opdracht om Tobias over te brengen naar een Lazarett in Scheveningen. (Het Wilhelminagasthuis werd door de Duitsers omgedoopt tot Westergasthuis.)
Dit is zijn eigen verklaring: "Als "Hans" etwa im Februar 1945 auf einer Autofahrt (Lastauto) mit einingen seiner Mitarbeiter von Noordholland über Alkmaar nach Amsterdam befand, wurde der Wagen durch die Landwacht in der Umgebung von Alkmaar angehalten und durchsucht. Man fand bei einigen dieser Verdächtigenbelastende papiere und stellte fest dass sie zum Teil falsche Personsbewijse bei sich führten. "Hans" wurde mit seinen Begleitern in ein Rathaus gebracht wo er durch Leuten der Landwacht bewacht wurde. Das "Gros" der Landwächter machte in der Umgebung dieses mir unbekanntes Ortes bei Alkmaar anhand weitere Durchsuchungen und Festnahmen. Während der Gefangenhaltung im Rathaus machte "Hans" einen Ausbruchversuch, indem er die Wache anfielt. Es konnten auch einer oder mehrere der Festgenommenen fliehen. "Hans" selbst wurde durch einen schweren Lungenschuss verletzt und blieb liegen. Der Schuss muss ihn in gebückter Stellung getroffen haben, der der Einschuss befand sich vorn in der Brusthart an der linken Achselhöhle - hatte nach schräg unten beiden Lungen durchgeschlagen -und der Ausschuss im Rücken rechts etwa in Höhe des Bauchnabels. Schussöffnungen waren verhältmässig gross. Nach einem grossen Blutverlust wurde der Agent einem Hospital oder einem Arzt an Ort und Stelle zugefuehrt und zwar durch die Landwacht. Nach Einschaltung der SIPO-Amsterdam wurde der Verletzte dem Luftwaffelazarett in Amsterdam zugeführt wo er operiert wurde. Erst von dort bekam ich von dem Vorfall Kenntnis und erhielt den Auftrag "Hans" dort abzuholen und in ein Lazarett in Scheveningen zu bringen. Ich begab mich darauf mit einem kleinen 4 sitzer PKW nach Amsterdam. Ich wusste bis dahin von der Schwere der verletzung nichts. Der Chefarzt des Lazarettes sagte mir, dass der Verletzte allein in einem Krankenwagen transportiert werden könne. Er betonte dabei, dass unmittelbar nach der Operation -also im diesen tagen- der Transport am geeignetesten sei, jedenfalls geigneter als in einigen Tagen, wenn die Reaktion eintreten würde".
Haubrok: "Toen "Hans" (Tobias) ergens in Februari tijdens een autorit met enige van zijn medewerkers van Noord-Holland via Alkmaar naar Amsterdam wilde rijden, werd de auto door de Landwacht in de buurt van Alkmaar aangehouden en werd doorzocht. Men vond hierbij belastende papieren en tevens werd vastgesteld dat enige van hem beschikten over valse Persoons Bewijzen. "Hans" werd samen met de anderen naar een gemeentehuis gebracht waar zij bewaakt werden door de mensen van de Landwacht. De "troep" Landwachters deed in de omgeving van de voor mij onbekende plaats bij Alkmaar ondertussen nog verdere doorzoekingen en arrestaties. Tijdens de insluiting in het Raadhuis deed "Hans" een uitbraak poging waarbij hij de bewaker aanviel. Daardoor konden één of meerdere gevangenen ontsnappen. "Hans" zelf werd door een zwaar longschot gewond en bleef liggen. Het schot moet hem in gebukte houding getroffen hebben, de kogel trof hem van voren onder de linker oksel ging dwars door beide longen naar beneden en trad op de rug ter hoogte van de navel weer naar buiten. De kogelgaten waren verhoudingsgewijs groot. Na veel bloed verlies werd de geheime agent door de Landwacht naar een ziekenhuis (Willibrord Stichting) , of naar een plaatselijke arts gebracht. Na inschakeling van de Sicherheits Polizei werd de gewonde naar het Luftwaffenlazarett (Wilhelmina Gasthuis) in Amsterdam gebracht waar hij geopereerd werd. Door Amsterdam werd ik op de hoogte gesteld en kreeg de opdracht "Hans" daar op te halen en onder te brengen in een ziekenhuis (Bronovo) in Scheveningen. Ik begaf mij in een personenauto naar Amsterdam. Ik wist tot dan toe niet hoe zwaar de verwonding was. De Chef Arts van het ziekenhuis vertelde mij dat de gewonde alleen per ambulance vervoerd kon worden. Hij benadrukte dat het transport direct na de operatie plaats zou moeten vinden en zeker niet na een paar dagen, want dan zou een medische reactie optreden".
SD Officer Otto Haubrok: "When "Hans",somewhere in Februari 1945, during a ride from North-Holland via Alkmaar to Amsterdam with some of his associates, the truck was stopped in the Alkmaar area by the Militia (Landwacht) and was searched. They found incriminated papers and it became clear that some of the men were in possession of fake Identity Cards. "Hans" and the other were taken into a Townhall where they were guarded by men of the Militia. In the meantime a troop of Militia men were searching in a place unknown to me near Alkmaar and carried out more arrests. During the time the men were locked up "Hans" attempted to escape by attacking the guard. This resulted in the escape of one of more prisoners. "Hans" himself got severely wounded bi the shot through both lungs and feel down. The bullet must have hit him when he was bending over, the bullet went in under the left armpit, went straight trough both lungs and game out his back at the height of his navel. The bullet holes were relatively big. After a major lose of blood the secret agent was either taken to a Lazarett or to a local doctor. After contacting the Sicherheitsdienst Police the wounded man was taken to the Lufwaffenlazarett (Wilhelmina Gasthuis) in Amsterdam. were he was operated upon. The SD in Amsterdam informed me and I received the order to pick him up and take him to a Lazarett in Scheveningen. I travel by car to Amsterdam. At that moment I did not how severely he was wounded. The Chief Surgeon told me the wounded man could only be transported by ambulance. He emphasized that transport had to be done directly and not after a few days, because then the medical reaction would kick in".
Er vond nog een arrestatie plaats: Gerda Meijer werd in het kantoor aan de Noorder Amstellaan 37 op maandag 12 februari gearresteerd. Haar verhaal begint echter met het vertrek van Tobias en Jard, dit stuk is direct na de oorlog door Gerda geschreven in Engeland tijdens haar debriefing.
An other arrest took place, Gerda Meijer, one of the girls who was working for Tobias at his office was arrested there on February 12th. Her story however starts with at the day when Tobias and Jard were leaving for Spanbroek. This piece was written directly after the war in England during Gerda's debriefing.
"Hans (Tobias) left together with Jard (du Celliee-Muller) on Wednesday February 7th at about three o'clock in the afternoon and arrived in Spanbroek in the evening, from where he went on to dropping field Martini. That night there was no drop. The drop which had been announced for Friday night did not take place either, so Hans decided to return home on Saturday, He had inspected the use of Eureka and S-Phone and couldn't wait any longer. He rang us up on Saturday morning, February 10th and said that we could expect him at about 12 o'clock. They were returning by car. However, they did not arrive and at about 8 o'clock in the evening Hil (Schipper) rang up to tell us that the car in which Hans and Jard were travelling had been stopped on the way and that they had been arrested by the Landwacht together with two other passengers in the car. They were being held at the townhall in Wognum. No further details were known as yet but Hil said he would keep us informed. Meanwhile we alerted Dr. X (Henk Veeneklaas) and the operators (Pieter & Paul) and we began to clear out the house (Noorder Amstellaan 37I), first removing all incriminating material. On Saturday evening February 10th - the same day as Hans' arrest- Jard telephoned us. He had managed to escape and had arrived safely at Hil's house. He told us that there had been some shooting during the attempt to escape and that Hans had probably been wounded. This information proved to be correct. We heard about it the following day, Sunday February 11th. We also got the word that he was supposedly in the 'Wilhelmina Gasthuis' in Amsterdam. We could do nothing but wait. Quite naturally we had placed ourselves under the guidance of Dr. X who told us to do nothing and await further orders. At that moment we knew nothing about his plans. Afterwards it became clear that he had made an effort to free Hans, which could possibly have succeeded, but for the well meant, but absolutely mistaken attitude of Carels which made succes impossible. Carels heard all the conversations which took place via his telephone exchange, and felt that he too should do his bit to help liberate Hans". Wat bedoelt zij hiermee?
We succeeded in getting the house 'clean'. The telephone was disconnected that same afternoon (Sunday February 11th?) so that there was nothing left to prove that any illegal activity had been going on in the house. Laloe went
to her own rooms, the address of which was unknown to Hans and Jard. Madeline and I went to Madeline's parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ide. Douwe (Paul Peters) had often transmitted from Jard's parents house, the address of which was on his identity card - 5 Nicolaas Maesstraat. The house was near the German 'Ortskommandantur' and that was why Jard's parents had left it. However, there was some technical stuff of Douwe hidden away there. He told his courier (Anita) to clean it out, which she did, but unfortunately it was not done completely. When the Germans searched the house on Monday February 12th, they found some old telegrams and other papers, as well as an accumulator and some less important technical material (a morse key).
On Monday February 12th Madeline and I decided to move to other addresses and live apart. We both found something, but Madeline would have to bring her own blankets. So I decided to go and fetch them from the house on the Noorder Amstellaan, which was of course very stupid of me. I went there the same afternoon at about 15.30 uur. I had locked my bicycle and stood it against the house outside with the key in my handbag. Just as I went in, there was a knock on the door. I looked through a small window and saw a child standing outside the door, who often came to get some food from us. I asked the boy for his address - perhaps I would be able to take some food over there later - and while I was talking to him, there was another knock on the door and I opened the door and a man was standing outside. I thought it was somebody else asking for food and I opened the door. The man at once put his foot between the door and the threshold, strode in and asked: "Is this Hans' office?" He was immediately followed by two men who must have been standing behind the wall. They walked in, pistols in hand, and demanded: "How many people are there in the house?" I was there alone with the boy and we both had to go stand in the room, after which they searched us. They found nothing in my pockets or in my handbag. Nor did their search of the house bring any results. They showed me a letter, which I recognized at once as having been written by Hans, although the writing was very irregular. Hans wrote that he had been wounded and was in the 'Wilhelmina Gasthuis' and one of us to come and see him. Although I recognized Hans' handwriting, I pretended I did not and said that I had never heard of Hans, and that there must be a mistake somewhere. Of course they did not believe me and I had to tell them what I was doing in the house, who I was, etc, etc. To understand the situation, the following must be explained: The house at the 37 Noorder Amstellaan had been rented from Mrs. Schotte, an elderly lady who lived there alone. Since October 1944 nearly all gas and electricity supplies in Amsterdam were out or cut off, and this lady could not stay in het house alone and went to live with her daughter. The house which was completely furnished, was rented to us. Mrs. Schotte knew something of our illegal activities, but she did not know what kind of work it was. (After I was arrested the Germans took everything out of the house) I told the man who interrogated me that I was an acquaintance of Mrs. Schotte and had come to fetch some blankets for her. They did not believe me and went on asking and searching the house, but when they found nothing, they took me over to 125 Apollollaan, the SD headquarters, where they had moved after the bombardment at the Euterpestraat. I was searched by women but they found nothing. Then they tried to find out who I was. My papers were in the name of C.M. Egink, my address was 28 Zomerdijkstraat (the address of Madeline's father). The papers were inspected and to my great relief they were found to be alright. Actually they were false, but the SD never found out. After that they began to interrogate me. Four officers were present in addition to the Dutchman who had arrested me, and whose name I do not know. (Wie was dit?) I knew the officers' names: Ruhl and Visbahn (Viebahn). I did not hear any other names. The interrogation began at about 17.00 hrs and lasted with breaks in between until about 22.00 hrs. I had to tell them everything about myself. The main point which they questioned me about was my insistence that I did not know Hans. They could conclude from this that I had nothing whatsoever to do with the whole affair. It was easy for me to deny everything as they had found nothing on me or in the house. To convince himself that he was not mistaken, one officer took my identity card to the hospital where Hans was lying and returned with two pieces of information, both of which were very distressing for me. In the first place he no longer addressed me as 'Egink' but as 'Fraulein Gerda'. This was the name by which Hans knew me.
I was able to conclude from this that Hans had told them that they got hold of the right person. The second fact was that they showed me another letter from Hans, which he had apparently just written and which was addressed to me. He wrote: "Gerda, can you see to it that the following telegram is sent to England"? There followed a long telegram in English, in which Hans wrote that he had been wounded and was now in the Wilhelmina Gasthuis, and asked if there would be a possibility of a prisoner-of-war exchange. They handed me the letter to read but I told them that I did not know English and could not read it. They then had the letter translated for me. To make things worse, the Dutchman suddenly appeared with the tyres of my bicycle, two new English tyres and two inner tubes. I told them that I had bought them on the black market. At 21.30 hrs. Ruhl told me that the other girls had also been arrested and had already confessed, so that it would be best for me to confess too. Although I did not believe his tale, it began to be impossible for me to deny everything and after Ruhl gave me some time to think things over in a dark cellar, I confessed that I had been Hans' courier. I had to face the following facts:
1. Hans had stated that he was an agent from England, as I gathered immediately after my arrest.
2. He had also said that he had one operator and three couriers, of whom I was one.
These were the facts the SD knew. After I had confessed the Germans became very friendly. They offered me cigarettes and when I refused they asked me if I was afraid that they might be poisoned. I should not believe all the talk about them, they said. They were not so bad (remember the Rustenburg affair!). But first I would have to tell them were Hans' papers were. I told them I had burned everything immediately after I had received word of Hans' arrest. Fortunately they believed this. At about 23.00 hrs I was brought over to the Wilhelminagasthuis accompanied by two officers and a guard of ten men. This heavy guard was because they seemed to fear an attack by the KP (which I gathered from their conversation). After we arrived at the hospital, Hans was first interrogated alone. Later on I understood what this was about. Before I was allowed to see him I had to promise two things:
1. That we would not speak English together.
2. That I would not tell him that the papers had been burnt.
I promised this and was admitted. He was lying in the German part of the hospital, alone in a room, with two guards outside the door. I got the impression that he was in a pretty bad state. His jaw drooped to the right, because he had been hit while being interrogated in Wognum. He lay flat on his back and looked very pale. He had probably been operated on that day. He had been shot once and the bullet had gone right through his body and had damaged one lung. At first all four of us had to pick our words carefully as neither the SD officers, nor Hans or myself knew how to begin. Finally I started to ask Hans why he had written that second letter and had requested me to send a telegram. He surely knew, didn't he, that I did not know a single address of the operator. This was a painful moment, Hans then said he would like to have the telegram sent and that I ought to be able to contact the operator some way, by telephone or via a cut-out address (someone who was known and trusted, but not in any way involved with the work). He also acknowledged my declaration that I did not know any address of the operator. The SD then proposed the following: I would be allowed to sit alone in a room and make a connection by telephone with the operator. This was to take place at the Apollolaan (SD HQ). First, though, the officers had to give their approval for this plan, then they asked us what we thought of it. I said immediately that I agreed, for although I knew that they would be able to follow the conversation without being present, I intended to ring someone, if I had the chance, who had nothing to do with the whole business, but who would nevertheless be able to warn the others. How I was to do this, I did not quite know yet, but I had the whole night in front of me to think it over, as the SD had said that it was to take place on the following morning (February 13th). This was the most important thing we spoke about there.
After the conversation with Hans I was taken to the prison on the Amstelveenseweg. I expected to be put on trial the next morning, but nothing happened. I stayed there for eight days in so-called 'Einzelhaft' and was taken to Scheveningen. I was put under the supervision of the head of the espionage-department, Francke (Friedrich Frank) and my Sachbearbeiter was Otto Haubrok". This man had worked during the whole period of the occupation in Holland and had been occupied with English agents and everything in connection with them.
Dit is zijn eigen verklaring: "Als "Hans" etwa im Februar 1945 auf einer Autofahrt (Lastauto) mit einingen seiner Mitarbeiter von Noordholland über Alkmaar nach Amsterdam befand, wurde der Wagen durch die Landwacht in der Umgebung von Alkmaar angehalten und durchsucht. Man fand bei einigen dieser Verdächtigenbelastende papiere und stellte fest dass sie zum Teil falsche Personsbewijse bei sich führten. "Hans" wurde mit seinen Begleitern in ein Rathaus gebracht wo er durch Leuten der Landwacht bewacht wurde. Das "Gros" der Landwächter machte in der Umgebung dieses mir unbekanntes Ortes bei Alkmaar anhand weitere Durchsuchungen und Festnahmen. Während der Gefangenhaltung im Rathaus machte "Hans" einen Ausbruchversuch, indem er die Wache anfielt. Es konnten auch einer oder mehrere der Festgenommenen fliehen. "Hans" selbst wurde durch einen schweren Lungenschuss verletzt und blieb liegen. Der Schuss muss ihn in gebückter Stellung getroffen haben, der der Einschuss befand sich vorn in der Brusthart an der linken Achselhöhle - hatte nach schräg unten beiden Lungen durchgeschlagen -und der Ausschuss im Rücken rechts etwa in Höhe des Bauchnabels. Schussöffnungen waren verhältmässig gross. Nach einem grossen Blutverlust wurde der Agent einem Hospital oder einem Arzt an Ort und Stelle zugefuehrt und zwar durch die Landwacht. Nach Einschaltung der SIPO-Amsterdam wurde der Verletzte dem Luftwaffelazarett in Amsterdam zugeführt wo er operiert wurde. Erst von dort bekam ich von dem Vorfall Kenntnis und erhielt den Auftrag "Hans" dort abzuholen und in ein Lazarett in Scheveningen zu bringen. Ich begab mich darauf mit einem kleinen 4 sitzer PKW nach Amsterdam. Ich wusste bis dahin von der Schwere der verletzung nichts. Der Chefarzt des Lazarettes sagte mir, dass der Verletzte allein in einem Krankenwagen transportiert werden könne. Er betonte dabei, dass unmittelbar nach der Operation -also im diesen tagen- der Transport am geeignetesten sei, jedenfalls geigneter als in einigen Tagen, wenn die Reaktion eintreten würde".
Haubrok: "Toen "Hans" (Tobias) ergens in Februari tijdens een autorit met enige van zijn medewerkers van Noord-Holland via Alkmaar naar Amsterdam wilde rijden, werd de auto door de Landwacht in de buurt van Alkmaar aangehouden en werd doorzocht. Men vond hierbij belastende papieren en tevens werd vastgesteld dat enige van hem beschikten over valse Persoons Bewijzen. "Hans" werd samen met de anderen naar een gemeentehuis gebracht waar zij bewaakt werden door de mensen van de Landwacht. De "troep" Landwachters deed in de omgeving van de voor mij onbekende plaats bij Alkmaar ondertussen nog verdere doorzoekingen en arrestaties. Tijdens de insluiting in het Raadhuis deed "Hans" een uitbraak poging waarbij hij de bewaker aanviel. Daardoor konden één of meerdere gevangenen ontsnappen. "Hans" zelf werd door een zwaar longschot gewond en bleef liggen. Het schot moet hem in gebukte houding getroffen hebben, de kogel trof hem van voren onder de linker oksel ging dwars door beide longen naar beneden en trad op de rug ter hoogte van de navel weer naar buiten. De kogelgaten waren verhoudingsgewijs groot. Na veel bloed verlies werd de geheime agent door de Landwacht naar een ziekenhuis (Willibrord Stichting) , of naar een plaatselijke arts gebracht. Na inschakeling van de Sicherheits Polizei werd de gewonde naar het Luftwaffenlazarett (Wilhelmina Gasthuis) in Amsterdam gebracht waar hij geopereerd werd. Door Amsterdam werd ik op de hoogte gesteld en kreeg de opdracht "Hans" daar op te halen en onder te brengen in een ziekenhuis (Bronovo) in Scheveningen. Ik begaf mij in een personenauto naar Amsterdam. Ik wist tot dan toe niet hoe zwaar de verwonding was. De Chef Arts van het ziekenhuis vertelde mij dat de gewonde alleen per ambulance vervoerd kon worden. Hij benadrukte dat het transport direct na de operatie plaats zou moeten vinden en zeker niet na een paar dagen, want dan zou een medische reactie optreden".
SD Officer Otto Haubrok: "When "Hans",somewhere in Februari 1945, during a ride from North-Holland via Alkmaar to Amsterdam with some of his associates, the truck was stopped in the Alkmaar area by the Militia (Landwacht) and was searched. They found incriminated papers and it became clear that some of the men were in possession of fake Identity Cards. "Hans" and the other were taken into a Townhall where they were guarded by men of the Militia. In the meantime a troop of Militia men were searching in a place unknown to me near Alkmaar and carried out more arrests. During the time the men were locked up "Hans" attempted to escape by attacking the guard. This resulted in the escape of one of more prisoners. "Hans" himself got severely wounded bi the shot through both lungs and feel down. The bullet must have hit him when he was bending over, the bullet went in under the left armpit, went straight trough both lungs and game out his back at the height of his navel. The bullet holes were relatively big. After a major lose of blood the secret agent was either taken to a Lazarett or to a local doctor. After contacting the Sicherheitsdienst Police the wounded man was taken to the Lufwaffenlazarett (Wilhelmina Gasthuis) in Amsterdam. were he was operated upon. The SD in Amsterdam informed me and I received the order to pick him up and take him to a Lazarett in Scheveningen. I travel by car to Amsterdam. At that moment I did not how severely he was wounded. The Chief Surgeon told me the wounded man could only be transported by ambulance. He emphasized that transport had to be done directly and not after a few days, because then the medical reaction would kick in".
Er vond nog een arrestatie plaats: Gerda Meijer werd in het kantoor aan de Noorder Amstellaan 37 op maandag 12 februari gearresteerd. Haar verhaal begint echter met het vertrek van Tobias en Jard, dit stuk is direct na de oorlog door Gerda geschreven in Engeland tijdens haar debriefing.
An other arrest took place, Gerda Meijer, one of the girls who was working for Tobias at his office was arrested there on February 12th. Her story however starts with at the day when Tobias and Jard were leaving for Spanbroek. This piece was written directly after the war in England during Gerda's debriefing.
"Hans (Tobias) left together with Jard (du Celliee-Muller) on Wednesday February 7th at about three o'clock in the afternoon and arrived in Spanbroek in the evening, from where he went on to dropping field Martini. That night there was no drop. The drop which had been announced for Friday night did not take place either, so Hans decided to return home on Saturday, He had inspected the use of Eureka and S-Phone and couldn't wait any longer. He rang us up on Saturday morning, February 10th and said that we could expect him at about 12 o'clock. They were returning by car. However, they did not arrive and at about 8 o'clock in the evening Hil (Schipper) rang up to tell us that the car in which Hans and Jard were travelling had been stopped on the way and that they had been arrested by the Landwacht together with two other passengers in the car. They were being held at the townhall in Wognum. No further details were known as yet but Hil said he would keep us informed. Meanwhile we alerted Dr. X (Henk Veeneklaas) and the operators (Pieter & Paul) and we began to clear out the house (Noorder Amstellaan 37I), first removing all incriminating material. On Saturday evening February 10th - the same day as Hans' arrest- Jard telephoned us. He had managed to escape and had arrived safely at Hil's house. He told us that there had been some shooting during the attempt to escape and that Hans had probably been wounded. This information proved to be correct. We heard about it the following day, Sunday February 11th. We also got the word that he was supposedly in the 'Wilhelmina Gasthuis' in Amsterdam. We could do nothing but wait. Quite naturally we had placed ourselves under the guidance of Dr. X who told us to do nothing and await further orders. At that moment we knew nothing about his plans. Afterwards it became clear that he had made an effort to free Hans, which could possibly have succeeded, but for the well meant, but absolutely mistaken attitude of Carels which made succes impossible. Carels heard all the conversations which took place via his telephone exchange, and felt that he too should do his bit to help liberate Hans". Wat bedoelt zij hiermee?
We succeeded in getting the house 'clean'. The telephone was disconnected that same afternoon (Sunday February 11th?) so that there was nothing left to prove that any illegal activity had been going on in the house. Laloe went
to her own rooms, the address of which was unknown to Hans and Jard. Madeline and I went to Madeline's parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ide. Douwe (Paul Peters) had often transmitted from Jard's parents house, the address of which was on his identity card - 5 Nicolaas Maesstraat. The house was near the German 'Ortskommandantur' and that was why Jard's parents had left it. However, there was some technical stuff of Douwe hidden away there. He told his courier (Anita) to clean it out, which she did, but unfortunately it was not done completely. When the Germans searched the house on Monday February 12th, they found some old telegrams and other papers, as well as an accumulator and some less important technical material (a morse key).
On Monday February 12th Madeline and I decided to move to other addresses and live apart. We both found something, but Madeline would have to bring her own blankets. So I decided to go and fetch them from the house on the Noorder Amstellaan, which was of course very stupid of me. I went there the same afternoon at about 15.30 uur. I had locked my bicycle and stood it against the house outside with the key in my handbag. Just as I went in, there was a knock on the door. I looked through a small window and saw a child standing outside the door, who often came to get some food from us. I asked the boy for his address - perhaps I would be able to take some food over there later - and while I was talking to him, there was another knock on the door and I opened the door and a man was standing outside. I thought it was somebody else asking for food and I opened the door. The man at once put his foot between the door and the threshold, strode in and asked: "Is this Hans' office?" He was immediately followed by two men who must have been standing behind the wall. They walked in, pistols in hand, and demanded: "How many people are there in the house?" I was there alone with the boy and we both had to go stand in the room, after which they searched us. They found nothing in my pockets or in my handbag. Nor did their search of the house bring any results. They showed me a letter, which I recognized at once as having been written by Hans, although the writing was very irregular. Hans wrote that he had been wounded and was in the 'Wilhelmina Gasthuis' and one of us to come and see him. Although I recognized Hans' handwriting, I pretended I did not and said that I had never heard of Hans, and that there must be a mistake somewhere. Of course they did not believe me and I had to tell them what I was doing in the house, who I was, etc, etc. To understand the situation, the following must be explained: The house at the 37 Noorder Amstellaan had been rented from Mrs. Schotte, an elderly lady who lived there alone. Since October 1944 nearly all gas and electricity supplies in Amsterdam were out or cut off, and this lady could not stay in het house alone and went to live with her daughter. The house which was completely furnished, was rented to us. Mrs. Schotte knew something of our illegal activities, but she did not know what kind of work it was. (After I was arrested the Germans took everything out of the house) I told the man who interrogated me that I was an acquaintance of Mrs. Schotte and had come to fetch some blankets for her. They did not believe me and went on asking and searching the house, but when they found nothing, they took me over to 125 Apollollaan, the SD headquarters, where they had moved after the bombardment at the Euterpestraat. I was searched by women but they found nothing. Then they tried to find out who I was. My papers were in the name of C.M. Egink, my address was 28 Zomerdijkstraat (the address of Madeline's father). The papers were inspected and to my great relief they were found to be alright. Actually they were false, but the SD never found out. After that they began to interrogate me. Four officers were present in addition to the Dutchman who had arrested me, and whose name I do not know. (Wie was dit?) I knew the officers' names: Ruhl and Visbahn (Viebahn). I did not hear any other names. The interrogation began at about 17.00 hrs and lasted with breaks in between until about 22.00 hrs. I had to tell them everything about myself. The main point which they questioned me about was my insistence that I did not know Hans. They could conclude from this that I had nothing whatsoever to do with the whole affair. It was easy for me to deny everything as they had found nothing on me or in the house. To convince himself that he was not mistaken, one officer took my identity card to the hospital where Hans was lying and returned with two pieces of information, both of which were very distressing for me. In the first place he no longer addressed me as 'Egink' but as 'Fraulein Gerda'. This was the name by which Hans knew me.
I was able to conclude from this that Hans had told them that they got hold of the right person. The second fact was that they showed me another letter from Hans, which he had apparently just written and which was addressed to me. He wrote: "Gerda, can you see to it that the following telegram is sent to England"? There followed a long telegram in English, in which Hans wrote that he had been wounded and was now in the Wilhelmina Gasthuis, and asked if there would be a possibility of a prisoner-of-war exchange. They handed me the letter to read but I told them that I did not know English and could not read it. They then had the letter translated for me. To make things worse, the Dutchman suddenly appeared with the tyres of my bicycle, two new English tyres and two inner tubes. I told them that I had bought them on the black market. At 21.30 hrs. Ruhl told me that the other girls had also been arrested and had already confessed, so that it would be best for me to confess too. Although I did not believe his tale, it began to be impossible for me to deny everything and after Ruhl gave me some time to think things over in a dark cellar, I confessed that I had been Hans' courier. I had to face the following facts:
1. Hans had stated that he was an agent from England, as I gathered immediately after my arrest.
2. He had also said that he had one operator and three couriers, of whom I was one.
These were the facts the SD knew. After I had confessed the Germans became very friendly. They offered me cigarettes and when I refused they asked me if I was afraid that they might be poisoned. I should not believe all the talk about them, they said. They were not so bad (remember the Rustenburg affair!). But first I would have to tell them were Hans' papers were. I told them I had burned everything immediately after I had received word of Hans' arrest. Fortunately they believed this. At about 23.00 hrs I was brought over to the Wilhelminagasthuis accompanied by two officers and a guard of ten men. This heavy guard was because they seemed to fear an attack by the KP (which I gathered from their conversation). After we arrived at the hospital, Hans was first interrogated alone. Later on I understood what this was about. Before I was allowed to see him I had to promise two things:
1. That we would not speak English together.
2. That I would not tell him that the papers had been burnt.
I promised this and was admitted. He was lying in the German part of the hospital, alone in a room, with two guards outside the door. I got the impression that he was in a pretty bad state. His jaw drooped to the right, because he had been hit while being interrogated in Wognum. He lay flat on his back and looked very pale. He had probably been operated on that day. He had been shot once and the bullet had gone right through his body and had damaged one lung. At first all four of us had to pick our words carefully as neither the SD officers, nor Hans or myself knew how to begin. Finally I started to ask Hans why he had written that second letter and had requested me to send a telegram. He surely knew, didn't he, that I did not know a single address of the operator. This was a painful moment, Hans then said he would like to have the telegram sent and that I ought to be able to contact the operator some way, by telephone or via a cut-out address (someone who was known and trusted, but not in any way involved with the work). He also acknowledged my declaration that I did not know any address of the operator. The SD then proposed the following: I would be allowed to sit alone in a room and make a connection by telephone with the operator. This was to take place at the Apollolaan (SD HQ). First, though, the officers had to give their approval for this plan, then they asked us what we thought of it. I said immediately that I agreed, for although I knew that they would be able to follow the conversation without being present, I intended to ring someone, if I had the chance, who had nothing to do with the whole business, but who would nevertheless be able to warn the others. How I was to do this, I did not quite know yet, but I had the whole night in front of me to think it over, as the SD had said that it was to take place on the following morning (February 13th). This was the most important thing we spoke about there.
After the conversation with Hans I was taken to the prison on the Amstelveenseweg. I expected to be put on trial the next morning, but nothing happened. I stayed there for eight days in so-called 'Einzelhaft' and was taken to Scheveningen. I was put under the supervision of the head of the espionage-department, Francke (Friedrich Frank) and my Sachbearbeiter was Otto Haubrok". This man had worked during the whole period of the occupation in Holland and had been occupied with English agents and everything in connection with them.
Gevangen.
Otto Haubrok:
"Am folgenden Tage erschien ich mit einem "Sanka" der Ordnungspolizie in Den Haag. Zum Schutz hatte ich um eine Begleitung von 2 Polizeibeambten gebeten. Da aber in einem Santtätwagen keine bewaffneten Soldaten fahren dürfen, gab man mir einen besonderen Wagen mit. Da nur ein Mannschaftswagen zur Verfuegung stand der Benzin verbrauch derselbe verstärkte man gleichzeitig die Polizisten von 2 auf 5 Mann mit einem leichten M.G. Dieses war, wie ich einige Tage später feststellte, mein Glück gewesen. Der LKP in Amsterdam hatte von England den Auftrag bekommen, unter allen Umständen und Aufwendung von Waffengewalt, diesen Transport zu verhindern. Irgendeine niederländische Schwester des Lazarettes hatte anscheinend alles an die "Illegalen" durchgegeben. Diese wartete mich in einem Wagen auf der offenen Strecke zwischen Amsterdam und Den Haag auf, um einen Befreiungsüberfall durchzuführen. Sie wagten sich aber an unseren starkbeschützten Wagen nicht heran. Auch am Tage vorher, als ich gar keine Begleitung hatte, wat bereits dieser Überfall vorbereitet gewesen. Dazu sass ich vorn im Krankenwagen, musste aber meine Pistole auf Anordnung des Wagenleiters an den hinteren Wagen abgeben, weil es wie gesagt verboten war Waffen in diesem Wagen zu tragen. Ich hätte mich ohne Begleitung nicht einmal verteidigen können. Und das Resultet des Überfalles hatte man -ohne ausreichenden Begeleitschutz- an zehn Fingern abzählen können. So kam ich unversehrt mit "Hans" in Scheveningen an, aber dort ergaben sich die Schwierigkeiten dass das Lazarett (Bronovo) ihn nicht aufnahm, weil er nicht als "Soldat" anerkannt wurde".
"De volgende dag verscheen ik weer nu met een 'hospik' van de Ordnungspolzei uit Den Haag. Ter bescherming had ik om begeleiding van twee politiemensen gevraagd, maar in de amlulance mochten echter geen bewapende soldaten meerijden en dus gaf men mij een speciale auto mee. Omdat er maar één 5 persoonsauto ter beschikking was vanwege het benzine tekort werd het aantal politiemensen van 2 naar 5 verhoogd en zij hadden een licht machinegeweer bij zich Een paar dagen later bleek dat mijn geluk te zijn geweest. De LKP had vanuit London de opdracht gekregen het transport onder alle omstandigheden, desnoods met wapengeweld te verhinderen. Een Nederlandse verpleegster van het ziekenhuis had blijkbaar alles aan de 'Illegalen' doorgegeven. Zij wachten ons op bij een stuk open terrein ergens tussen Amsterdam en Den Haag en wilden een bevrijdingsactie uitvoeren. Zij durfden echter niet in de buurt van onze zwaar bewaakte auto te komen. Ook op de dag dat ik helemaal zonder begeleiding reed, was deze overval al gepland. Omdat ik voorin met de ambulance meereed moest ik op bevel van de autocommandant mijn pistool aan iemand van de laatste begeleidingsauto afgeven, omdat zoals gezegd het verbonden was om in de ambulance een wapen te dragen. Ik had mij zonder de bewaking dus niet eens kunnen verdedigen. De uitkomst van een overval zonder voldoende bescherming is eenvoudig vast te stellen. Dus kwam in ongedeerd met "Hans" in Scheveningen aan, maar aangekomen bij het ziekenhuis deden zich problemen voor, zij wilden hem niet opnemen omdat hij niet als militair erkent werd".
The next day, probably February 13th 1945, I returned to Amsterdam accompanied by a medic from the Ordnungs police in The Hague. For security reasons I had asked for two policemen to accompany us, however is was not allowed to have armed soldiers in the ambulance, so they gave me a special vehicle. There was only one 5 person car available, due to the petrol shortage, so they gave me 5 instead 2 policemen, armed with a light machinegun to accompany us. Later on this turned out to be my luck. The LKP had received orders from London to prevent this transport to take place, what ever it took and whatever firearms had to be used. A Dutch nurse from the hospital had informed the 'Underground' of the whole affair. The resistance waited for us on a open spot on the road from Amsterdam to The Hague and wanted to carry out a liberation action. However they did not dare to come near us, because of the heavy armed guards. Even on the day that I travelled on my own to Amsterdam, this liberation action was already fully planned. I went along in the front seat of the ambulance and therefore on orders of the ambulance chief I had to hand over my pistol to someone in the last car of our little convoy. If I had had no guards around me it had been impossible to defend myself. So I arrived safely with "Hans" in Scheveningen, but at the hospital trouble occurred, they did not want to take in because he was not recognized as being a military.
"Auf Anordnung wurde er (Tobias) nun im Krankenzimmer des Polizie Gefängniesses Scheveningen untergebracht. Hier war es ihm zu einsam, weil weitere Kranke nicht vorhanden waren, darum legte ich ihn in eine der "Bewacherzimmer. Die Pflege übernahmen die beiden Para-Agenten Visser und Van Duin, die gleichzeitig ihre Betten mit in diesem Raum aufstellten. Ich rief das Niederl. Rote Kreuz -Frau Van Overeem- an und erklärte ihr den Fall. Diese kam, under überzeugte sich von dem Zustand des Verletzten und sorgte dann für: weisse Bettwassche, gute Unterwäsche, Büchsenmilch, eingewechte Früchte, Butter, Keks, Zucker und alles was eine schwerkranker zur Genesung in reichlichem Masse benötigt. Also mangelte in punkto Genesung an Nährmitteln nichts.
De Zustand der Kranker war allgemein schlecht, doch hatte er anfangs auch verhältnismaessig gute Stunden. Aber zu einem Verhör reichte der Zustand noch nicht aus, darum wurde dieses Thema auch gar nicht berührt. Auch liess ich dem Kranken nicht wissen dass bekannt war dass er Jude war. Weil er sich dann vielleicht besondere Gedanken gemacht haben würde. Dieser punkt machte ihn auch zeitweise so mutlos. Der Verletzte wurde um nichts unversucht zu lassen, durch 3-4 Ärzte laufend behandelt, die ihn auch täglich aufsuchten. Diese Ärzte waren:
1) Dr. -X- der Deutsche Ordnungspolizei Den Haag
2) Oberstabsarzt Dr. -X- Lazarett Den Haag
3) Niederl. Gefängnisarzt Dr. Westenterp od. ähl.
4) Häftling d. Gefängnisses Dr. -X- ein ca. 65 jähriger prakt. Arzt.
5) Zahnarzt Dr. Jens aus Wassenaar, der sich auch als Gefangener im Gefängnis gefand.
Gleichzeitig befand sich dort der
6) Niederl. Sanitäter-Bewacher -X- der seitens der Niederl. Justiz im deutschen Polizeigefaengnis Dienst
verrichtete.
Er werd geregeld dat hij, Tobias, op de ziekenboeg van de Politie gevangenis Scheveningen werd opgenomen. Hij vond het hier echter te eenzaam, omdat er zich daar verder geen zieken bevonden en daarom legde ik hem in één van de bewakerskamers. De gearresteerde geheime agenten Visser SIS/BI en Van Duyn SOE/BBO namen de verpleging op zich en zetten hun bedden ook in deze ruimte. Ik belde het Nederlandse Rode Kruis, mevrouw Van Overeem en legde haar uit wat er aan de hand was. Zij kwam, overtuigde zich van de toestand van de gewonde en zorgde toen voor: wit beddegoed, goed ondergoed, melk in blik, vruchten op sap, boter, biscuit, suiker en alles wat rijkelijk nodig is om een zwaar zieke te genezen. Er ontbrak dus niet aan voedingsmiddelen om te kunnen genezen. De toestand van de zieke was over het algemeen slecht, maar in het begint had hij af en toe ook nog goede uren. Zijn toestand was niet goed genoeg om hem te kunnen verhoren, daarom is er ook niet aan begonnen. Ook liet ik de zieke niet weten dat bekend was dat hij Joods *) was. Hij zou zich dan nog meer zorgen maken. Hij werd al zo moedeloos van het piekeren. Alles werd geprobeerd bij de gewonde, hij werd door 3 tot vier artsen behandeld, zij bezochten hem dagelijks. Deze artsen waren:
1. Een onbekende arts van de Duitse Ordnungs politie uit Den Haag.
2. Een Overste staf arts van het ziekenhuis in Den Haag.
3. De Nederlandse gevangenis arts Dr. Westenterp, of iets dergelijks.(Murk Westerterp)
4. Een gevangen gezette arts, van ongeveer 65 jaar.
5. Tandarts Dr. Jens uit Wassenaar die zich ook als gevangene in de gevangenis bevond. (Willem Hendrik Jens)
6. Ook bevond zich daar de verpleger-bewaker X die names de Nederlandse Justitie nu in de Duitse gevangenis dienst
deed.
*) Dit is echter niet juist, de vader van Tobias was Joods, maar zijn moeder niet en volgens de Duitse rassenwetten was Tobias daarom
ook geen Jood.
It was arranged that he, Tobias, was admitted to the hospital of the Scheveningen Police Prison. However he felt very lonely there because there were no other patients, so I moved him to one of the Guard rooms. The arrested secret agents Visser and Van Duyn nursed him and also placed their beds in this room. I called the Dutch Red Cross, mrs Van Overeem and explained to her wat was going on. She came over and convinced herself about medical situation of the wounded man and arranged for him white bedlinen, good underwear, canned milk, fruits in juice, butter, biscuits, sugar, and everything in large amounts which is needed to cure a severely sick person. There was no lack of nutrition to get well again. The situation of the sick man was overall bad, but in the beginning he had also times that he was feeling well. His situation however was not good enough to interrogate him, I even did not try doing so. I also did not tell him it was known he was Jewish *). He would than even worry more. He worried to much he really got depressed. Everything was tried to cure him, he was treated by three to four doctors who visited him daily. These doctors were:
1. An unknown doctor from the German Ordnungs Police.
2. A Oberst doctor from the German military hospital in The Hague.
3. The Dutch prison doctor Westenterp, or something like that. Dr. Murk Westerterp (1893-1979).
4. A Dutch prisoner who was a doctor of about 65 years old.
5. Dentist Dr. Jens from Wassenaar, who was also a prisoner. Willem Hendrik Jens (1908-1996).
6. A unknown Guard-Nurse who was working in the German prison on behalf of the Dutch Justice department.
*) This is not correct, Tobias'father was Jewish, but his mother not. Therefore according to the German Race Laws Tobias was not Jewish.
Die prakt. Ärzte 1-3 berieten gegenseitig und kamen so gut wie täglich. In dringenden Fälle, wenn sich der Verletzte plötzlich ueber Besonderheiten äusserte, wurden die unter 4-6 genannten herbeigeholt, bis ein deutscher Arzt - entweder der Polizei-oder Wehrmachtsarzt zur Stelle waren. Über die Behandlung können, die genannten 3-6 auskunft geben.
Es stellte sich bei dem Verletzten nach einigen Tage heraus, dass sich das angesammelte Blut der Lungen auf die Luftwege legte und er unter grosser Atemnot zu leiden hatte. Dann musste der deutsche Arzt kommen und ihm aus dem Rücken Blut abzapfen, es war dickes geronnenes Blut. Nach dieser Zapfung fühlte sich der Kranke dann immer wohler. Er fühlte aber selbst dass dieses kein Dauerzustand sein konnte und war mutlos und behauptete immer dass er nicht durchkommen würde. Die Ärzte bestätigten mir dasselbe und sagten, wenn das Blut nicht setzen würde, er eines Tages an Schwächung sterben würde. Eine Bluttransfusion hatte nach einstimmigen Erwägungen der Ärzte erst dann Zweck und Erfolg, wenn die Lungen das Blut auch halten würden. Denn je mehr Blut sich in der Lungen befand, je mehr gerann und je grosser wurde die Atemnot".
De praktiseerde artsen 1 t/m 3 overlegden onderling en kwamen zo goed als dagelijks bij Tobias kijken. Voor dringende gevallen, wanneer de patient ergens last van had, werden de hulpverleners 4 t/m 6 er allemaal bij gehaald tot dat een Duitse arts, of de Wehrmacht arts of de Duitse politie arts, ter plekke waren. Over de gegeven behandeling kunnen de personen 3 t/m 6 antwoord geven.
Na enige dagen bleek dat zich bij de patient zich in de longen bloed ophoopte, dat blokkeerde de luchtwegen en hierdoor kreeg de patient last van grote ademnood. Dan moest de Duitse arts komen om via de rug het bloed uit de longen af te tappen, het was dik gestold bloed. Na deze lediging voelde de patient zich altijd wat beter. Hij wist ook wel dat deze toestand niet steeds door kon gaan en hij beweerde ook steeds dat hij het niet zou halen. De artsen bevestigden dit en zeiden als het bloeden niet zou stoppen hij op een dag aan bloedgebrek zou komen te overlijden. Een bloedtransfusie had volgens de artsen dan pas zin wanneer er geen bloed meer in de longen zou stromen. Hoe meer bloed zich in de longen bevond, hoe meer het stolde en hoe groter de ademnood werd.
The practising doctors 1-3 were consulting one and other and came along almost everyday to see Tobias. When things were urgent, or when the patient was complaining about something, the caretakers 4-6 were called in till a German doctor arrived, either the one from the Wehrmacht or the one from the German police. Questions about the treatment can be asked to the doctors 1-3.
After a few days it turned out that blood was accumulating in both lungs, this blocked the airways and the patient became great respiratory distress. Than the German doctor had to come over to tap the blood out of the lungs via his back. The blood was thick and solidified. After this treatment the patient generally felt beter. The patient realised that this could not continue for a long time and he stated he would not make it. The doctors confirmed this and if the blooding could not be stopped the patient would die of weakness some day. Blood transfusion could only be given when the lungs would no longer bleed. The more blood streamed into the lungs, the more it solidified and how greater the respiratory distress became.
"Nach etwa 8-10 Tagen erhielt ich abends spät plötzlich einen Anruf aus dem Gefängnis mit der Mitteilung dass der Agent einen Krampfartigen Anfall oder einen Blutsturz habe und verstorben sei. Zugegen waren in diesem Augenblick, die beide ihn pflegenden Agenten Visser und Van Duin und der Häftling Dr. med. -X- und Häftling Zahnarzt Dr. Jens.
Nachdem die Toderursache ärztlich bescheinigt worden war, wurde die Leiche zur Bestattung freigegeben. Ich vermute dass die Beerdigung durch das Begräbnisunternehmen "Innimee" Den Haag vorgenommen wurde. So war es jedenfalls durch mich in die Wege geleitet worden, es ergaben sich jedoch Schwierigkeiten, weil das Institut über keine Särge verfügte. Darum ist es nicht ausgeschlossen, dass die Leiche durch Gefangene oder durch Leute von "Innimee" in den Duinen in Scheveningen ohne Sarg beigesetzt worden ist. Nachfrage bei "Innimee"würden auf jeden Fall Klarheit bringen. Der Para-Agent "Hans" Biallosterski ist verstorben ohne durch mich verhört zu werden, weil er nach meiner Ansicht nicht vernehmungsfaehig war".
Na zo'n 8 tot 10 dagen (op 24 februari, of 26 februari) werd Haubrok 's avonds laat plotseling opgebeld vanuit de gevangenis met de mededeling dat Tobias stuip aanval of een inwendige bloeding had gehad en was overleden. Op dat moment waren de gevangene Dr.-X-, Dr. Jens en de agenten Visser en Van Duin bij hem. Nadat de doodsoorzaak vastgesteld was werd het lijk vrijgegeven om begraven te worden. Haubrok vermoedt dat de begrafenis onderneming 'Innimee' uit Den Haag hiervoor de opdracht kreeg, dit had hij tenminste voorgesteld. Maar er was een probleem, 'Innimee' beschikte niet over lijkkisten. Daarom lijkt het Haubrok niet uitgesloten dat Tobias, of door medewerkers van de gevangenis, of door medewerkers van 'Innimee', zonder te zijn gekist in de duinen is begraven. Volgens Haubrok weet 'Innimee' hier het fijne van. Haubrok: "De parachutist-agent "Hans" Biallosterski is overleden zonder door mij verhoord te zijn, omdat hij naar mijn mening niet in staat was verhoord te worden".
After 8 to 10 days Haubrok receive a telephone call late at night from the Scheveningen prison with the announcement that Tobias had died, either of a convulsion or by an internal bleeding. At the moment Doctor X, also a prisoner, Dr. Jens, a prisoned dentist and both agents Visser and Van Duyn had been with him. After the cause of death was determined the body was released for burial. Haubrok assumes that the undertaker 'Innimee' from The Hague had been given the task to carry this out. However there was probleem, 'Innimee' did not have any coffins at their disposal. Therefore Haubrok can not exclude that Tobias, either by undertakers of 'Innimee' or by prison workers has been buried without a coffin in the dunes near the prison. Innimee' must be able to give more information about the funeral. "The Paratrooper-Agent "Hans" Biallosterski has died, without being interrogated by me, in my opinion he was not fit enough to be questioned".
Gerda Meijer was also still locked up in the same cell of the 'Orange Hotel' and writes the following in her report:
Gerda Meijer zat nog steeds in een cel in het 'Oranje Hotel' en zij schrijft hier het volgende over:
"On Wednesday February 21st I was interrogated by Haubrok for the first time. He began showing me a letter written by 'Nol' (Arie van Duin) at the instigation of Hans and signed by the latter. Haubrok told me first of all that Hans was in Scheveningen and that 'Nol' and 'Tony', two agents, who had been dropped, and were aloso arrested and taken to Scheveningen, were taking care of him.
In the letter addressed to me, Hans asked if I would see to it that he got some food and toilet-articles. I then asked Haubrok what the meaning of all this was, for it was rather difficult for me to attend to all from my cell. Haubrok then told me his plans. He told me that Hans had been brought to Scheveningen five days earlier and that Haubrok had spoken to him quite a lot. They had come to the conclusion that it would be better in all respects, if the two operators, Douwe and Bram, whom he actually mentioned by name (!) would agree to have themselves made prisoners-of-war. (This would mean that Tobias was brought over to Scheveningen on February 16th and he gave away the fact that he had two operators.)
He thought that I would certainly be willing to cooperate on this. I would also have to reveal the technical material. I I would agree to these demands, no more people would be arrested. They would no longer look for the two girls and he would release me.
Haubrok told me he would accompany me to Amsterdam to carry out his plans, so that I would be able to attend to these various matters. Of course this liberty would only be granted after a male prisoner would agree to 'stand bail' for me. In order to convince me that I would be rendering humanity a great service, he told me that the agents, once they were in Scheveningen, were so relieved to be out of the 'illegal world' at last, because it was such an awful mess there, that they unanimously declared: "If we had known all this before, we would have stopped our work long before this."
To make this clear to me, he illustrated his remarks with a number of examples from the 'illegal world' from which it was supposed to be evident how much discord there was, and the great danger of Communism. Without their knowledge of it -so he said- the agents were being forced to send coded messages to Russian spies. In Rotterdam alone there were five such spies, he said. As an example of the widespread discord, he told me the story of the arrest of 'Lange Jan' (Jan Thijssen, RVV). He also told me all the details of Tini (Didi) Gaazenbeek. He was most indignant about this affair. Tini, courier to 'Nol', had been set free by him so that she could contact 'Bert' (Bert de Goede) from Rotterdam, and had been picked up by the KP. (Haubrok dacht dat Didi door de KP geëxecuteerd was.)
Of course it would be possible for me to meet the same fate if I cooperated with him, but he promised to go about more carefully this time. He insisted that in any trials I would have to undergo, it would be best for me to cooperate completely. He said that Hans was also strongly in favour of this. I asked if I could speak to Hans again and he gave his permission.
The same day he took me to Hans' cell. He was known there as 'Hans de Bruin' - at least that was the name I saw on the note where his temperture was recorded. Hans looked much better than in Amsterdam; he looked more normal, and talked quite naturally with me. Haubrok stayed with us, and Nol was also present. The conversation was not very important. Hans told me he was being treated decently but he felt pretty bad. He was not able to sleep and was not given a sleeping drug as he was still too weak. He asked about Pietje (Jard) and I told him he was OK.
Then he told me that Haubrok was the man who represented the SD contact and to whom we had to deliver the technical material in December 1944 and whose address we had received from England: Anna Paulownastraat, Den Haag. Hans had chosen Dr. Felix for this task at the time and Felix had gone to The Hague to deliver the material and find out how matters stood. They had been given the wrong address - it should have been Anna Paulownaplein. The whole thing had been a trap, for when Felix returned to the address on the A.P. plein, he sent someone else over and waited a little further on. They were both arrested by the SD (The Saskia Game). On his way to prison Felix, who had not been searched, opened fire and escaped. One German was killed and Felix had been wounded. So without realising it we had been in contact with Haubrok before.
After talking to Hans for about half an hour, I had to leave and Haubrok continued the conversation with me alone. Inside 'Hans' cell we had not spoken about Haubrok's suggestion.
This was the last time I saw Hans, he died three days later, on Saturday February 24th 1945.
Foto's van genoemde personen/pictures of mentioned persons.
Vervolg/Continue.
Inhoudsopgave/Table of contents.
Dutch: w.mugge@home.nl
English:
Bronnen / Sources: Eddy de Roever 'Londen roept Amsterdam'/ NIOD Amsterdam / Weggum / TNA London / R.A. / Familie Mulder.
w.mugge@home.nl
Versie 2.1
Bouwjaar 2021
Datum 22-11
Publicatie: 27-11-2021.
Blad B.
Bouwjaar 2021
Datum 22-11
Publicatie: 27-11-2021.
Blad B.