The Anne Frank story in pictures
This photograph was taken in the centre of Frankfurt am Main on March 10, 1933. It is the last photograph Otto Frank takes before the family leaves Germany.
“The world around me collapsed. I had to face the consequences, and though this did hurt me deeply I realized that Germany was not the world and I left forever.” - Otto Frank
At the beginning of 1933, the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (NSDAP or Nazi party) comes to power in Germany . Adolf Hitler, the leader of this party, becomes Chancellor. He is responsible for the new government. Before very long, there is discrimination against Jews. Germany changes from a democracy into a dictatorship. Anne’s parents no longer feel safe. Otto Frank’s bank is also in financial trouble because of the worldwide economic crisis. Otto and Edith Frank decide to leave Germany.
“In the Netherlands, after those experiences in Nazi Germany , it was as if our life was restored to us. In those days it was possible for us to start over and to feel free.” - Otto Frank
Otto Frank goes to the Netherlands in the summer of 1933. He has the opportunity to set up a company in Amsterdam that sells Opekta. This is a product used by housewives to prepare home-made jam. During that period, Anne and Margot stay with Grandmother Holländer who lives in Aachen Germany . Their mother commutes to and from Amsterdam to find the family a place to live there.
“After May 1940, the good times were few and far between: first there was the war, then the capitulation and then the arrival of the Germans, which is when the trouble started for the Jews.” - Anne Frank
The Frank Family feels free and safe, until the German Army invades the Netherlands on May 10, 1940 . The Occupation of the Netherlands begins on May 15, 1940 . The discrimination against the Jews begins then as well: Jews may not own their own businesses, Jewish children have to go to Jewish schools, all Jews have to wear a yellow star, and countless other restrictions. There are even rumors that the Jews will be packed off to Germany.
On June 12, 1942 , Anne Frank celebrates her 13th birthday. She receives a diary as a present. It is her favorite gift. She begins writing in it immediately: “I hope I will be able to confide everything to you...and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support.”
The Hiding Place
“Now our Secret Annex has truly become secret... Mr. Kugler thought it would be better to have a bookcase built in front of the entrance to our hiding place. It swings out on its hinges and opens like a door." - Anne Frank
The hiding place is located in an empty section of the building owned by Otto Frank's company. While business continues, as usual, in the front part of the building, there are people hiding in the annex out back. Before too long, the entrance to the Secret Annex is concealed behind a movable bookcase.
On this map, the people in hiding keep track of the advance of the Allied troops.
“Will this year, 1944, bring us victory? We don't know yet. But where there's hope, there's life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again. We'll need to be brave to endure the many fears and hardships and the suffering yet to come.” - Anne Frank
When the people in hiding have spent almost two years in the Secret Annex, there is fantastic news: a massive landing of the Allies on the beaches of Normandy . Will the Occupied countries of Europe soon be liberated? Anne hopes to return to school in September or October.
End Game
“It was around ten-thirty. I was upstairs with the Van Pelses in Peter’s room and I was helping him with his schoolwork. I was showing him the mistake in the dictation when suddenly someone came running up the stairs. The stairs were squeaking, I stood up, because it was still early in the morning and everyone was supposed to be quiet - then the door opened and a man was standing right in front of us with a gun in his hand and it was pointed at us.” - Otto Frank
Friday, August 4, 1944 , is a day like any other day. The helpers are working in the office in the front part of the building. Upstairs, the people in hiding are quietly going about their business. Suddenly, out front on the Prinsengracht, a vehicle comes to a halt. Out jumps an SS-officer and three Dutch policeman. They enter the building and go directly to the office. Victor Kugler must escort them to the Secret Annex. The people in hiding have been betrayed.
After the arrest, the people in hiding and the helpers are brought to the German Security Police's jail on Euterpestraat in Amsterdam.
The people in hiding and the two male helpers are arrested and taken for interrogation to a jail run by the Germans. The two helpers are later transferred to a the city prison. Miep Gies and Bep Voskuijl are left behind on the Prinsengracht. They rescue Anne Frank's diary papers.
Westerbork is a transit camp: from here Jews, gypsies, and members of the Resistance in the Netherlands are deported to the concentration and extermination camps.
Freight trains filled with prisoners leave regularly for unspecified destinations in the East. A long list of prisoners names is read aloud on September 2, 1944 . These people must depart the next day. The names of the eight people in hiding are also on this list.
The front gate of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The slogan Arbeit macht frei translates as “work will set you free”)
“I will never forget that moment when the 17-year-old Peter van Pels and I saw a group of selected men. Peter’s father was among them. They were marched away. Two hours later a cart with their clothes on it went by.” - Otto Frank
On the platform at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the men and women are separated. Nazi doctors divide the prisoners into two groups: prisoners who they consider fit enough to work and prisoners who will be killed immediately in the gas chamber. The eight people in hiding are spared. They are expected to perform heavy labor. After a short while, Hermann van Pels can no longer do this kind of work. He is murdered in the gas chamber.
At the end of October 1944, Anne and Margot are transported from Auschwitz-Birkenau to Bergen-Belsen . Their mother remains behind in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Edith falls ill and dies of exhaustion in January 1945. Auguste van Pels arrives at Bergen-Belsen with another transport of prisoners in November 1944. There she meets Anne and Margot again. Auguste van Pels is only at Bergen-Belsen for a short while and probably dies during a transport of prisoners to Theresienstadt. Anne and Margot succumb to typhus in March 1945, a few weeks before the camp is liberated by the British Army.
Otto Frank is liberated from Auschwitz on January 27, 1945 . Shortly before his release, the Nazis evacuate the camp. Prisoners, who can still walk, must go with them. Peter van Pels is among these prisoners. He arrives at the Mathausen concentration camp in Austria at the end of Janaury. The prisoners have to perform heavy labour. Peter van Pels dies of exhaustion on May 5, 1945.