Transfer to House of Detention

The transfer of the Franks, Van Pelses, and Pfeffer to the Huis van Bewaring, also known as the House of Detention, marked a critical point in their lives during a period of intense persecution. After being interrogated and held overnight at the RSHA headquarters, they were moved to this overcrowded prison located on Weteringschans. The Huis van Bewaring was notorious for its harsh conditions, housing many prisoners in cramped quarters, which contributed to the deteriorating health and morale of its inmates. This facility was part of a broader system of detention and imprisonment that targeted Jews and other groups deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime. The transfer to such a facility underscored the precarious situation faced by those in hiding, as the risk of discovery and subsequent arrest was ever-present. The Franks and their companions were among many who suffered the consequences of the oppressive policies enacted during this time, which aimed to eliminate entire communities and suppress dissent against the regime. Their time in the House of Detention was marked by uncertainty and fear, as they awaited their fate in a system that offered little hope for survival.