On 27 May 1945, the ‘Monowai’ arrived in Marseilles. Many in the group later remembered their welcome with fondness. In their testimonies, they mentioned that the national anthem was being played on the quay, and they spoke of the abundant food and of receiving some money and documents facilitating their journey back to the Netherlands. The group also had the opportunity to send postcards home. Otto sent a telegram to his mother. The train ride through France, with the train stopping at almost every station, felt like a celebration. Coffee, bread, wine - all sorts of things were offered by the elated population. In Belgium, the reception was a little less cordial; in the Netherlands, according to the testimonies, it was downright frosty.

Terugreis Otto Frank: met de Monowai naar Marseille

Terugreis Otto Frank: Roermond en Arnhem

The national anthem in Marseilles

Out of the eight people from the Secret Annex, Otto Frank, Anne Frank’s father, was the only one to survive the Holocaust. This is the story of his return from the Auschwitz concentration camp to Amsterdam. This reconstruction is based on Otto’s notes and other testimonies and documents. Click through the slides for the story and on the markers for more information.

Bevrijding Otto Frank

Otto Frank herstelt in ziekenzaal

The liberation of Auschwitz

A long and uncertain journey

Terugreis Otto Frank: Katowice

Overlijden Edith Frank

A school in Katowice

A sad encounter

Edith's death

Terugreis Otto Frank: Tsjernivtsi

A warm reception in Chernivtsi

Terugreis Otto Frank: Odessa

Weeks of waiting in Odessa

A protest telegram

Aboard the ‘Monowai’

Terugreis Otto Frank: terug in Amsterdam

Otto Frank woont in bij Jan en Miep Gies

Otto Frank verhuist samen met Jan en Miep Gies

Back in Amsterdam

The deaths of Anne and Margot

Anne’s writings

Otto Frank tussen de helpers, Amsterdam, augustus 1945.

The return of Otto Frank