Two brothers on the run

At first, the brothers did not go completely into hiding. They mainly spent their nights with relatives and acquaintances, as German soldiers, auxiliary police, and NSB members were most active after dark. However, the danger gradually drew closer. One Saturday evening in Spijk, they were nearly discovered by a German patrol. They managed to escape, although their bicycles were found. Later, officers of the Grenzschutz (German border guards) from Roodeschool visited their home, but fortunately the brothers were not there.

Their situation became particularly dangerous during the major raid of 16 February 1944. At the time, the brothers were near Godlinze. When they spotted a Gestapo vehicle approaching, they pretended to be working in the fields. Shortly afterwards, they fled into the open countryside. The German agents opened fire, but the brothers knew the terrain well. Crossing ditches and struggling through the cold and mud, they managed to escape. They remained outside for hours, soaked and shivering.

After this incident, the brothers found a hiding place beneath the concrete floor of a barn. Water could drain away through a concealed grate, helping to keep the location hidden. Even so, the danger never disappeared. Whenever new searches were carried out, they had to hide in the fields or in small sheds. Their family played a vital role in protecting them, remaining calm during German inspections and deliberately misleading the authorities whenever possible.