THE PLAQUE

The most important thing that I did on this trip to Poland was to make a plaque in memory of my grandparents and uncle who were murdered at Auschwitz /Birkenau.

I planted this plaque next to some beautiful flowers.

I mourned the loss of these dear people whom I never met. This little old lady and gentleman of 70 years old and their son of 30 years who was a successful stockbroker in Rotterdam. Their only crime was that they were Jewish and in the wrong place.

The grandparents arrived at Birkenau and were taken off the train forced to undress and then forced to take a shower (Gas shower).They were not recorded nor did they have the dubious honour of having a number tattooed on their forearm. Their murder was quick and efficient.

Their son who was 30 was obviously of much greater use to the Nazis. He had a tattoo and worked and starved to death. He lived for a further 6 months.

My other Grandfather went to the model camp at Terezinstad . He was there for only 12 days and died of typhus. He was one of 12 brothers none of whom survived.

The name Hochherr is no longer.

I mourned the loss of these dear people whom I never met and also the other members of my family who perished for no reason whatsoever.

M.T.D.S.R.I.P.

Mike Kaufmann