As if it is the most normal thing in the world:to help people who are being persecuted by an occupier. We might think twice, or at least ask if we can think about it for a night. We all know stories of people in our environment where selfless help ends badly due to violence on the street, for example. But Miep Gies did not hesitate. She answered 'yes' without hesitation to the request for help that was put to her.
During the Second World War, Miep Gies, together with Johannes Kleiman, Victor Kugler, Bep Voskuijl, Jan Gies and Johan Voskuijl, formed a team to help eight Jewish people in hiding in the Secret Annex to survive the war. “In those years, the Dutch helped hide Jews and others who had to go into hiding. I did my bit, as did my husband,” says Miep Gies on her website. But how did Miep come to this decision?
'Miep' sounds nicer
Hermine Santrouschitz is five when the First World War breaks out. She lives with her parents in Vienna, Austria. During and after the First World War, her parents struggled to keep their heads above water. The war has devastated the country. Foodstuffs are scarce. When Hermine gets a sister, it becomes even harder for the family. Fortunately, Hermine can participate in a project of the Dutch workers' association; a few Austrian children are allowed to come to the Netherlands temporarily to be fed and regain their strength.
Hermine ends up with the Nieuwenburg family from Leiden. 'Hermine' soon changes into 'Miep', which sounds cozier and less stiff. Just like her name, Miep quickly blends into Dutch society. She learns Dutch, goes to school, and quickly masters cycling. In the years that follow, Miep will love the Netherlands more and more. She hardly feels homesick for Austria. The Netherlands will be a new home. Her parents therefore decide that she can stay in the Netherlands. Miep does retain Austrian nationality.
Friendship with Otto Frank
After graduating from school, Miep started working as an office girl at a textile company when she was eighteen. Unfortunately, after a few years, she is fired because of the crisis. After being unemployed for several months, she finds a job at the Dutch Opekta Mij. This company is owned by Otto Frank, Anne Frank's father.
This charming Jewish gentleman hails from Germany. Due to the increasing anti-Semitism in Germany, he moves – together with his wife Edith and daughters Margot and Anne – to the Netherlands. Miep gets along very well with Otto. Their bond mainly stems from the fact that both are originally from another country, and have German as their mother tongue. Otto is therefore a conversation partner with whom Miep can talk for hours. They talk a lot – in German – with each other about the political situation in Germany, but also express their concerns about the influence of Germany in the Netherlands, which is becoming increasingly stronger. A good friendship develops. Otto even regularly invites Miep – along with her boyfriend Jan – to come and drink tea at Frank's house. This is special because Otto Frank is ultimately Miep's boss. Miep has deep appreciation for Otto. Not only is she grateful that Otto helps her find a job in a period of economic crisis, he also helps Miep and Jan find accommodation in Amsterdam. Living space is very scarce at that time because many refugees from Germany are seeking shelter in Amsterdam, for fear of the advancing German army.
Yes, I want
Miep regularly worries about the Frank family. The anti-Jewish measures deprive them of many freedoms. In the spring of 1942, Otto approaches Miep with an exceptional question.
He tells her that he and his wife Edith have decided to go into hiding with their children and a few others in the secret annex of the office on Prinsengracht. Otto asks Miep if she is willing to take responsibility for their care. Almost immediately Miep agrees. Miep's husband Jan and Bep's father Johan (all colleagues at Opekta) also pledge their unconditional help to the people in hiding.
Hitting in the Secret Annex
On Monday, July 6, 1942, the time has come. The Frank family goes into hiding in the Secret Annex, together with the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer. The fear of being discovered by the Germans lives every day among the people in hiding. Yet they all try to make the best of it. Otto's youngest daughter, Anne, keeps track of the experiences of the people in hiding in her diary.
Miep does groceries for eleven people every day. As the war progresses, it is more difficult to provide them with daily necessities. There is less and less choice, and less is available. For two years Miep secretly helps the people in hiding. Outside, 'normal' life continues.
The betrayal
Despite all the caution of the helpers, the Germans discovered the hiding place on Friday 4 August 1944. At the beginning of the afternoon, the people in hiding are arrested and taken to various concentration camps. It is unknown to this day who betrayed them. Miep is lucky that the German in command of the arrest is SS Oberscharführer Karl Silberbauer, an Austrian from Vienna. She appeals to his patriotism by talking to him in the Viennese dialect. He allows her to stay in the office if she promises not to run away. After the people in hiding were removed, Miep tries as best as possible to keep Otto Frank's company going. She continues to hope that she will see her friends again soon. Miep ensures that Anne Frank's diary is kept out of German hands. She keeps Anne's writings unread in a drawer of her desk.
In the spring of 1945, the long-awaited liberation came. People in hiding emerge from their hiding places. Soon, refugees and Jews who have survived the horrors of the concentration camps also return to Amsterdam. Of the Frank family, only Otto survives the camps. His wife Edith died in camp Birkenau. His daughters Margot and Anne died in camp Bergen-Belsen, probably from the effects of typhus.
The Diary
When Miep learns that Anne died in concentration camp Bergen-Belsen, and she can no longer return the diaries to Anne, Miep gives the writings to Otto with the words This is the legacy of your daughter Anne. Otto Frank ensures that Anne's legacy is published in 1947 under the title "The Secret Annex". The Secret Annex has now been translated into more than 65 languages. It is estimated that some 25 million people around the world have read it. The book has been adapted for theater and film. The Secret Annex has been accessible as a museum since 1960.
No hero
That Miep makes the choice to help the Frank family is something she herself takes for granted. This obviousness can be traced back to Miep's childhood and her friendship with the Frank family. The fact that the Nieuwenburg family lovingly welcomed Miep into the family fuels her desire to give something back to other people. Would she refuse when friends ask for her help? Miep's friendship with the Frank family is so dear to her that she was willing to take great risks.
Miep herself insists that she is not a special heroine. She says on her website:I'm just an ordinary person. I never wanted special attention. I have only been willing to do what was asked of me and what seemed necessary at the time. (…)
On Monday evening, January 11, 2010, Miep passed away after a short illness. She has turned 100.