Beek, Limburg, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
German Deserter Saves the Life of a Persecuted “Gypsy”
Duitse deserteur redt het leven van vervolgde 'zigeuner'
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 14, 2024
1. German Deserter Saves the Life of a Persecuted “Gypsy” Marker
Duitse deserteur redt het leven van vervolgde 'zigeuner'
Duitse deserteur redt het leven van vervolgde 'zigeuner'. Hier woonde tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog de familie Lutgens. De aan zolder was verhuurd de Duitser Frits Linke die in Nederland werkte. Na de inval in mei 1940 werd Frits opgeroepen voor dienst in de Wehrmacht. Frits deserteerde om principiële redenen uit het Duitse leger. Op desertie stond de doodstraf. Daarom dook hij onder in een plaggenhut in de Peel in Roggel.
Joden en 'zigeuners' (Sinti) werden door de Nazi's vervolgd omdat ze van een minderwaardig ras zouden zijn. De zigeunervervolging begon met een verbod om rond te trekken met de woonwagen. De Sinto Mannela Franz was getrouwd met Agnes, een dochter van de familie Lutgens. Het echtpaar had twee kleine kinderen. Toen Mannela niet langer mocht trekken, vestigde het gezin zich op de zolder, die vrij was gekomen na de onderduik van Frits Linke.
Op 16 mei 1944 vond in Nederland een razzia plaats op 'zigeuners'. Beekse politieagenten kwamen in de nacht Mannela arresteren. Agnes wist hen bij de voordeur zo lang aan de praat te houden dat Mannela kon ontvluchten via het zolderraampje links om de hoek. Mannela vond onderdak in de plaggenhut bij Frits Linke. Beiden overleefden de oorlog.
Voor het hele verhaal zie de luistersteen.
German Deserter Saves the Life of a Persecuted “Gypsy”
The Lutgens family lived here during the Second World War. The attic was rented to the German Frits Linke who worked in the Netherlands. After the invasion in May 1940, Frits was called up for service in the Wehrmacht. Frits deserted from the German army on principle. Desertion was punishable by death. That is why he went into hiding in a sod hut in the Peel in Roggel.
Jews and 'Gypsies' (Sinti) were persecuted by the Nazis because they were supposedly of an inferior race. The persecution of Gypsies began with a ban on travelling around with a caravan. The Sinto Mannela Franz was married to Agnes, a daughter of the Lutgens family. The couple had two small children. When Mannela was no longer allowed to travel, the family settled in the attic, which had become available after Frits Linke went into hiding.
On May 16, 1944, a raid on 'gypsies' took place in the Netherlands. Beek police officers came to arrest Mannela during the night. Agnes managed to keep them talking at the front door for so long that Mannela was able to escape through the attic window on the left around the corner. Mannela found shelter in the sod hut at Frits Linke's. Both survived the war.
For a fuller story, see the historical marker just on the other side of Maastrichterlaan.
Erected 2016
this page online
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is May 16, 1944.
Location. 50° 56.29′ N, 5° 47.543′ E. Memorial is in Beek, Limburg. It is on Kloostersteeg. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: Kloostersteeg 3, Beek, Limburg 6191 KZ, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Nooit Echt Bevrijd / Never Genuinely Liberated / Nie Wirklich Befreit (within shouting distance of this marker); Beek Synagogue (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Joods Monument Beek / Beek Holocaust Memorial (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Hervormde Pastorie / Reformed Parsonage (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Voormalige Bakkerij / Former Bakery (approx. 0.3 kilometers
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 14, 2024
2. German Deserter Saves the Life of a Persecuted “Gypsy” Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here on the right corner of the building.
The mural on the house is titled (in translation): “A house to reflect on when you do your shopping”, as the house is sited on what is now a parking lot, with a grocery store situated directly behind the viewer here.
The text of the mural reads (in translation): May 16, 1944 - round-up of Gypsies: From the attic window of this house escaped the Sinti Mannela Franz. His life was saved by the German Frits Linke.
The mural on the house is titled (in translation): “A house to reflect on when you do your shopping”, as the house is sited on what is now a parking lot, with a grocery store situated directly behind the viewer here.
The text of the mural reads (in translation): May 16, 1944 - round-up of Gypsies: From the attic window of this house escaped the Sinti Mannela Franz. His life was saved by the German Frits Linke.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . . Muurschildering Kloostersteeg (Stichting Herdenking Oorlogsslachtoffers Beek). Full title: Muurschildering Kloostersteeg “Een huis om bij stil te staan als je boodschappen doet”
Excerpt (in translation): In the early morning of 16 May 1944, a raid took place throughout the Netherlands. All ‘gypsies’ had to be collected and taken to the Westerbork camp, and from there to Auschwitz. Two police officers from Beek also knocked on the door of the house on the Kloostersteeg to arrest Mannele. However, Agnes managed to keep the officers talking at the front door for so long that Mannele had time to escape through the attic window at the back of the house. He sought and found safe shelter for the rest of the war with Frits Linke in his sod hut. Frits and Mannele survived the war.(Submitted on August 1, 2024.)
The symbolism is obvious and unique: a Germansentenced to death, who saves the life of a “gypsy” who was also sentenced to death.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 14, 20243. Mural detail
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 31, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
