Binnenstad Hoorn , North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Onderduikers in het Duitse hoofdkwartier
⎯⎯⎯
People in hiding at the German headquarters
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 22, 2025
1. People in hiding at the German headquarters memorial inscription
In de oorlogsjaren had de Duitse bezetter hier zijn Orts-Kommandantur gevestigd. In de conciergewoning achter het huis hielden de dames Dieuw van Vliet (1887-1974) en Aaf Dell (1893-1975, links) in de jaren 1942-1943 vele onderduikers verborgen, onder wie acht Joodse landgenoten. De plaquette herinnert aan hun moed en onverschrokkenheid
This Drechterland house (1728) was used from 1915 as a water board office for Drechterland and then later the water board of Westfriesland.
During the war years, the German occupier had established its local headquarters here. In the caretaker's house behind the house, the women Aaf Dell (1893-1975, left) Dieuw van Vliet (1887-1974, right) kept many people in hiding in the years 1942-1943, including eight Jewish compatriots. This plaque commemorates their courage and fearlessness.
Erected 1996 by Vereniging Oud Hoorn.
Topics. This memorial
this page online
Location. 52° 38.356′ N, 5° 3.595′ E. Memorial is in Hoorn, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Binnenstad Hoorn. It is on Grote Oost, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: Grote Oost 4, Hoorn, Noord-Holland 1621 BW, 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: Jan Pieterszoon Coen (Hoorn 1587 - Batavia 1629) (within shouting distance of this marker); Statencollege (within shouting distance of this marker); Roode Steen 15 (within shouting distance of this marker); Hadrianus Junius (within shouting distance of this marker); Kerkstraat 10 (within shouting distance of this marker); Jan Ruiter and Grι Visser Memorial (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Voormalige Postkantoor / Former Post Office (about 90 meters away); Monument bij het Grote Kerk / Grote Kerk Executions Memorial (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hoorn.
Also see . . . Onderduikers in het Duitse hoofdkwartier (Comitι 40-45 Hoorn, in Dutch). The QR code mounted on the wall just below the plaque leads to this page. Excerpt on what
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 22, 2025
2. People in hiding at the German headquarters memorial
but Aaf ended up in the Ravensbrόck concentration camp. Dieuw was forced to move to Roode Steen 13, and took the people in hiding with her. Aaf Dell endured the horrors of the concentration camp for fifteen months until the liberation in Ravensbrόck, but she survived. She escaped the gas chamber three times, and during all interrogations she remained silent as the grave.(Submitted on March 29, 2025.)
On 2 June 1945, Aaf Dell, very thin but mentally unbroken, returned to Hoorn. The city knew of her arrival. People were waiting in long lines at the Rode Steen. Students and their parents, family and friends provided a moving reception. Dieuw van Vliet never doubted her return. They continued to teach and live together until they died at the ages of 87 and 81, one year apart.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 22, 2025
3. Memorial plaque - Aaf Dell (1893-1975, left) Dieuw van Vliet (1887-1974, right)
The plaque in bronze was created by the artist Thea van Lier.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 22, 2025
4. People in hiding at the German headquarters memorial - wide view
Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 102 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 29, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
