David Koker
Encyclopedia
The Jewish student David Koker (27 November 1921 - 23 February 1945) lived with his family in Amsterdam
until he was captured on the night of 11 February 1943 and transported to camp Vught.
David was forced to halt his studies in Philosophy and History in September 1941 when the university ceased allowing Jews to study anymore. The family did not go into hiding because they had received a sperre (exemption) and believed they were safe. Still, in 1943, they were captured and transported to Camp Vught on 11 February. David spent some of his time teaching children at the camp. In July, he received a sperre from Frits Philips
and joined his Philips Commandos. In June 1944, the "Philips-Jews" were transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau from where they would be sent to other camps such as Facharbeiter to work for electronic companies.
David's mother and brother Max survived the war. David, however, fell ill and died during a transport for ill people to the concentration camp in Dachau
due in part to his illness as well as hypothermia in February 1945. His father died of exhaustion in LangenBilau, a subcamp of Groß-Rosen.
On 2 June 1944, while the family was being transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, David managed to throw a letter from the train, an excerpt of which read:
The diary was published in 1977 with the name Dagboek geschreven in Vught (Diary Written in Vught). The manuscript was stored at the Dutch Institute for War Documentation (NIOD). It has been translated into English and will be published in 2012 under the title At the Edge of the Abyss: A Concentration Camp Diary, 1943-1944.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
until he was captured on the night of 11 February 1943 and transported to camp Vught.
David was forced to halt his studies in Philosophy and History in September 1941 when the university ceased allowing Jews to study anymore. The family did not go into hiding because they had received a sperre (exemption) and believed they were safe. Still, in 1943, they were captured and transported to Camp Vught on 11 February. David spent some of his time teaching children at the camp. In July, he received a sperre from Frits Philips
Frits Philips
Frederik Jacques "Frits" Philips was the fourth chairman of the board of directors of the Dutch electronics company Philips, which his uncle and father founded...
and joined his Philips Commandos. In June 1944, the "Philips-Jews" were transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau from where they would be sent to other camps such as Facharbeiter to work for electronic companies.
David's mother and brother Max survived the war. David, however, fell ill and died during a transport for ill people to the concentration camp in Dachau
Dachau
Dachau is a town in Upper Bavaria, in the southern part of Germany. It is a major district town—a Große Kreisstadt—of the administrative region of Upper Bavaria, about 20 km north-west of Munich. It is now a popular residential area for people working in Munich with roughly 40,000 inhabitants...
due in part to his illness as well as hypothermia in February 1945. His father died of exhaustion in LangenBilau, a subcamp of Groß-Rosen.
The Diary
During his internment, he wrote a diary which was smuggled out of the camp, pieces at a time. The diary is maintained complete, starting on 11 February 1943 and ending on 8 February 1944. In addition to standard entries, David also used the diary to write poetry.On 2 June 1944, while the family was being transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, David managed to throw a letter from the train, an excerpt of which read:
: Lieve vrinden, we zijn nu dicht bij de grens. Het is wel teleurstellend, maar we waren erop voorbereid en zijn vol vertrouwen. Ik denk veel aan jullie. (...) Ik heb alle brieven en foto's bij me. M'n liefste bezit. Wanneer zien we elkaar weer? Dat zal nu wel lang duren. Maar erdoor komen we. (...) Heel veel liefs jongens, bedankt voor alles. Tot ziens.
: Dear friends, we are close to the border now. It is very disappointing, but we were prepared for it and remain hopeful. I think a lot about you. (...) I've got all your letters and photos with me. My dearest possessions. When will we see each other again? That will take a long time. But we shall survive. (...) Lots of love guys, thanks for everything. Goodbye.
The diary was published in 1977 with the name Dagboek geschreven in Vught (Diary Written in Vught). The manuscript was stored at the Dutch Institute for War Documentation (NIOD). It has been translated into English and will be published in 2012 under the title At the Edge of the Abyss: A Concentration Camp Diary, 1943-1944.