#Story

Secret Emergency Hospital

When the 300 men arrive in Megchelen, the local population is already prepared. Everyone lends a hand. People cook, do laundry, and collect clothing on a large scale. Beds and other household items are made available.

All of this is done under the leadership and coordination of a remarkable woman: Mies Neuhaus. She dies after the war in 1948. It is no coincidence that from here, you can see her grave.

Mies Neuhaus

Mies Neuhaus (1911–1948) had a German father and a Dutch mother. She was a schoolteacher in Hazerswoude but returned to Megchelen because of the war. She was the first to volunteer for the establishment of the emergency hospital. She quickly took charge. Together with other young women from Megchelen, Mies ran the emergency hospital with "superhuman dedication." After the liberation, Mies became seriously ill. She died in 1948. Officially of leukemia, but it is widely believed that she contracted an infection due to her intensive contact with gravely ill forced laborers.

Oranjeplein, Megchelen
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Photos