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Gabrielle Weidner birth
Gabrielle Weidner, a Dutch resistance fighter was born August 17, 1914 in Brussels, Belgium -
Thank you letter from John
Gabrielles brother wrote a letter thanking people who had helped him to pay for her schooling. “I am glad to say that both my sister and I are attending the seminary. Our parents were quite satisfied with all our term-end standings. Gabrielle’s were splendid, and I am proud to have a sister of only thirteen years, the youngest but one of 120 students, who learns so well.” -
Before Holocaust
Over 9 million Jews lived in Europe before the holocaust working the same as normal people putting in their part to make society run in the worldwide economic depression. -
Turn Around.
Adolf Hitler becomes German chancellor soon to change everything Germany has ever known. -
Invasions.
Germany invaded Poland which would soon turn into conquering much of Europe. -
Returned to Paris
After the signing of the agreement with the Nazis to create Vichy France in 22 June 1940 she returned to Paris while her brother went to Lyon where he established the “Dutch-Paris” underground. -
Coming at Paris
In August the Allies were 37 miles from Paris. Many prisoners at Fresnes were executed in the days leading up to the liberation of Paris. Others were took to another prison to wait for transport to the east. Gabrielle was a part of maybe the last transport from Paris to the death camp. -
Madeleine Billot
John Weidner had a friend named Madeleine Billot. She met gabrielle when she had been deported to Ravensbrück as a result of her involvement in another underground group. After the war ended, she told John of his sister’s experience. “All the time Gabrielle gave a wonderful testimony of her faith in God. She was in the infirmary at Königsberg, and even there she was always encouraging the others.” -
Arrested
On February 26, 1944 Gabrielle Weidner was arrested and sent to Fresnes Prison by the Gestapo -
Prison Switch
Gabrieele had been taken in a cattle car for a couple days till they got to Ravensbrück. According to her personal card she got to the camp on August 21, 1944. -
Liberation of Paris
The Allies liberated Paris August 25, 1944. -
Death March
In February 1945 the Soviet army was approaching the camp at Königsberg. Women who could still move were led away by the SS on a death march. Females like Gabrielle were left to die. -
Flames go up
The SS set the barracks and infirmary on fire to try to cover their crimes retreat, Gabrielle was pulled from the fire at the last moment. The Soviets liberated the camp on February 5, 1945. -
Gabrielle Weidner death
Gabrielle Weidner died in the Ravensbrück subcamp of Königsberg. Though some records state her death occurred on February 15, 1945, a published document containing listings of all Ravensbrück prisoners states her death occurred on February 6—both dates after the camp’s liberation.9 The actual cause of her death was never recorded. -
The end.
By the end of May the Germans and their collaborators murdered six million European Jews. -
Award
Gabrielle Weidner received the Dutch Cross of Resistance for her efforts in the war, On 24 May 1950.
