Discovery and Arrest: August 4, 1944 — Reading Comprehension

On August 4, 1944, the Secret Annex in Amsterdam, where Anne Frank and her family had hidden for over two years, was discovered by Nazi authorities. This event ended one of the most famous periods of clandestine resistance to Nazi occupation during World War II. The arrest of Anne Frank, her family, and the others in hiding marked a turning point, not only for those involved, but also for how history would remember the Holocaust and its victims.

Anne Frank, her parents Otto and Edith, her sister Margot, and four others—Hermann, Auguste, and Peter van Pels, and Fritz Pfeffer—had been living in secret rooms behind Otto Frank’s business. These rooms, concealed by a bookcase, offered temporary safety from the persecution of Jews by the Nazi regime. The group depended on trusted helpers, including Miep Gies and Victor Kugler, who risked their own lives to provide food, news, and supplies. Anne Frank kept a detailed diary during this time, recording daily life, fears, and hopes. Her writings serve as a crucial primary source for historians studying the Holocaust.

The discovery on August 4 was the result of a betrayal, though the exact identity of the informant remains unknown. That morning, SS-Oberscharführer Karl Silberbauer, accompanied by Dutch police officers, raided the Secret Annex. The residents were taken into custody and interrogated. The Nazi authorities confiscated the family's possessions, including Anne’s diary, which was later saved by Miep Gies. The arrest was part of a broader pattern of Nazi efforts to identify and deport Jews in occupied Europe. In Amsterdam alone, thousands faced similar fates due to a network of informants and systematic searches.

After their arrest, Anne and the others were sent first to Westerbork transit camp, then to Auschwitz, and finally, Anne and Margot to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. The conditions in these camps were harsh, with overcrowding, disease, and lack of food. Only Otto Frank survived the war. The experience of the Secret Annex shows the danger faced by those targeted by Nazi policies, but also the courage of those who resisted or tried to help. The events demonstrate both the brutality of the regime and the resilience of the human spirit.

The arrest of the Secret Annex residents is significant because it highlights the risks of resistance under totalitarian regimes and the importance of individual choices in times of crisis. Anne Frank’s story, preserved through her diary, provides a voice for millions who were silenced. It reminds us of the value of documenting history and the need to combat intolerance and discrimination in all societies.

This episode connects to broader themes in world history, such as the impact of war on civilians, the dangers of unchecked power, and the enduring importance of human rights.

Interesting Fact: After the arrest, Miep Gies found and preserved Anne Frank’s diary, ensuring that Anne’s story would be told to the world.

Who discovered the Secret Annex?

What date was the arrest?

Who survived the Holocaust from the group?

Why did Anne's family hide?

What role did Miep Gies play?

What happened after the arrest?

The Secret Annex was found in 1944.

What is a primary source?