Many would never have dared to walk straight up to Adolf Eichmann who, in 1938, was responsible for enforcing the Nazi policy of Jewish emigration, and ask to take 10,000 children over to England.
But not many were like Truus Wijsmuller. Leaning over the SS-Obersturmführer’s desk inside the Gestapo headquarters – formerly the Palais Rothschild in Vienna – the Dutch native told Eichmann the British government was happy to take youngsters under the age of 17 from Nazi countries for a temporary stay.
“Let’s arrange it,” she said. He, in turn, was astounded. “So Aryan and so insane,” he retorted.
Snarling at her, Eichmann proposed an impossible task – if Truus could successfully take 600 children, she could have all 10,000. But it had to be done that Saturday.
Logistics were one problem, convincing the most observant parents to let their children travel on the Jewish Sabbath, when that was expressly forbidden, was a very different obstacle.
But Wijsmuller proved Eichmann wrong and became a key part of not only the Kindertransport, but many other child refugee rescues throughout Europe during the Second World War.
While those she liaised closely with – including the late humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton – rightly received recognition for their efforts, Wijsmuller’s contribution is far from well-known, despite the fact she saved thousands of lives – often at great personal risk.
Now her incredible story of heroism is shared for the first time in a new documentary, Truus’ Children. It is available to stream online from 1 May thanks to the Second Generation Network.
Poignantly, 23 of the children she rescued, now all in their 80s and 90s, give their own first-hand memories of the awe-inspiring woman they affectionately knew as “Tante Truus”.
Film-makers Pamela Sturhoofd and Jessica van Tijn spent just over three years researching into Wijsmuller’s life, uncovering just how the Dutch resistance fighter placed herself in the frontline of danger to help others.
The film can be watched between 1 May and 19 May via this link.
The directors will discuss the film during a free virtual talk hosted by Second Generation Network on 17 May, 6.30pm, https://secondgeneration.org.uk
