大象传媒

I went to France on 'D' Day but this story comes later.
It was March or April 1945 and we had liberated the town of Roosendaal, Holland. We were resting and I was staying in the Burgomasters' House. Suddenly the Oranje burst in and took out a girl of about 17. She was stripped, shaved and marched through the street to be pelted with tomatoes for being a collaborator. This sickened me so my mate and I went out for a walk. A very distinguished gentleman spoke in perfect English "Will you gentlemen accompany me to my home?" we did, entering a semi detached house, we were immediately welcomed by two men and a woman who were sobbing bitterly. Apparently they were members of the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra who were Jewish and escaped from there in May 1940.
The gentleman we first met explained that when they got to Holland he hid them in his house, as the Germans had invaded Holland. He kept them there using his own rations which at times must have been starvation rations.
They asked what they should play and I suggested Chopin, they played for us as though we were in a large theatre. Between playing they wept, they had enen saved a packet of tea to give to the first tommies!
I didn't get their address but I shall never forget such a traumatic moment.

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