Who betrayed the Franks and why?

Who betrayed the Franks and why?

In several investigations after the war, Van Maaren was the prime suspect for the betrayal of Anne Frank; however Van Maaren publicly denied he was responsible. Two other plausible suspects emerged over the years: Lena van Bladeren-Hartog (died 1963) and Tonny Ahlers (1917 – 2000).

How did Willem van Maaren betray the Franks?

From the start, he used to steal products from the warehouse and at one stage he started to suspect there was something about the Secret Annex. Otto Frank believed for a long time that his family was betrayed by Willem van Maaren, a recently hired employee who was not privy to the secret behind the bookcase.

Why was the Frank family forced to go into hiding?

Anne has to go into hiding in the Secret Annex When Margot received a call-up to report for a so-called ‘labour camp’ in Nazi Germany on 5 July 1942, her parents were suspicious. They did not believe the call-up was about work and decided to go into hiding the next day in order to escape persecution.

How did the Frank family try to avoid detection?

In an effort to avoid detection, the family left a false trail suggesting they’d fled to Switzerland. A week after they had gone into hiding, the Franks were joined by Otto’s business associate Hermann van Pels (1898-1944), along with his wife Auguste (1900-45) and their son Peter (1926-45), who were also Jewish.

Who was betrayed by Anne Frank and her family?

Meanwhile, in 2018, a new book claimed to offer evidence that Anne Frank and her family were betrayed by a Jewish woman who was executed after World War II for collaborating with the Nazis.

Why was Otto Frank betrayed by the Germans?

In her biography of Otto Frank, Carol Ann Lee suggested that Otto Frank supplied the German army with goods during the occupation. According to her, Ahlers played a role in the transactions because he had a hold over Frank and later betrayed the people in hiding in the Secret Annex to an SD detective.

Where did Anne Frank live during World War 2?

Rose Heichelbech Over the years there have been many accusations about who could have betrayed the Frank family hiding out at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam during World War II. Anne Frank’s diary, which she kept from 1942-44, eloquently told the story of the family and the 4 others who lived in the secret annex apartment during these years.

Who was the traitor in Anne Frank’s diary?

Willem van Maaren was the traitor. The helpers did not trust warehouse worker Willem van Maaren. The people in hiding shared their suspicion, without knowing him or even having seen him. Anne wrote about it in her diary and attributed negative qualifications to him.