Bep Ligtenstein

The girl on the train Fritz Tauber writes about is named Bep Ligtenstein. She too was rounded up during the raid. At night, in the Municipal High School, she writes a bill to her lover, Wil Koets. From the compartment window, she puts it in his hands.

The text:

"My Dearest Will,
Just now you were gone, they came to get us. Two policemen. It is dreadful dearest Wil. I will think of you all the time, be faithful to me, that is the greatest support for me at the moment. It's terrible. Dear boy, think of me a lot and build up your business until I come back to you, because I will come even if I have to crawl. I am writing to you here with a crowd of people, they were all picked up last night. As soon as you can write me back, I will let you know where I am as soon as possible. Send me anything, I'll write if I'm allowed. Oh my dear boy, how I will miss you, your daily visits to our home. Dearest Wil, I beg you again think of me a lot, I'll be back, I'll be strong and you strengthen me even more by writing to me. Write to your friend Wil or something like that. Now my dearest darling lots of kisses and hugs from your eternally loving girl Bep. My darling don't forget me, thousands of kisses from Bep".

Bep Ligtenstein was murdered in Auschwitz on Jan. 31, 1943. She was then 24 years old.

Photo: T. Heisen-Koets Collection