BENNI HIEMSTRA (1937 – 1944)

Berend »Benni« Willem Hiemstra was born on 20 May 1937 in Zutphen, Gelderland province, in the Netherlands. His father was Hermann Godefridus Hiemstra, a master butcher and livestock and meat wholesaler. His mother was Berendina Weselina Hiemstra, née Boeyink.

Benni was the only child of Berendina and Hermann Hiemstra. His mother provided this information when her son was admitted to the »Children’s ward« at the Lüneburg mental hospital. She was a staunch National Socialist and supported the Dutch sister party of the NSDAP.

As the front line and the Allies approached the German-occupied Netherlands, the Hiemstras decided to flee to the German Empire. They were trying to save themselves, as they feared prosecution for their collaboration with the Germans.

The escape with only the bare essentials ended in Lüneburg. After a short stay at the Scharnhorst Barracks, Benni’s parents were housed in a refugee camp that had been set up in a school in Amelinghausen in the district of Lüneburg. The refugee camps were often run by the National Socialist People’s Welfare Organisation (NSV). NSV nurses meticulously complied with the obligation to report disabled or mentally ill people, which led to repeated admissions from the refugee camps to the Lüneburg mental hospital.

What is certain is that on 10 September 1944, Benni was admitted to the »Children’s ward« in Lüneburg together with a child named Johann Peter Wolf. He was seven years old when he was admitted. His mother stated that he had developed convulsions at the age of six months and had not developed further since then.

During the initial examination, Dr Willi Baumert concluded that Benni was a »low-functioning boy who does not respond to anything, lies apathetically in bed, dozing. […] Must be cared for in every respect.« Two weeks later, Benni received a visit from his parents. This was unusual given the family’s overall situation. However, the very next day, a note was made that the child was unwell, looked anaemic and had diarrhoea. A »diet« was prescribed to treat the diarrhoea.

After that, there were only two entries in his medical records, which, judging by the handwriting, appear to have been made in one go after his death. On 30 September, it was noted: »Condition continues to deteriorate. Constant […] discharge and vomiting.« On 2 October 1944, the following was noted: »Death at 2 a.m. Cause of death 1a. Probable dementia 1b. Febrile gastroenteritis.«

Benni’s parents visited him once more during his stay in the »Children’s ward«. Three appointments are also entered in the »Comments« field of the visitor card. Whether these appointments actually took place with Max Bräuner, the medical director of the institution, and whether the parents may have even influenced the care of their child cannot be reconstructed with certainty from the visitor card. It also remains unclear what form such influence might have taken. What is striking, however, is that Benni died within three weeks. He was most likely murdered – with or without the consent or initiative of his parents. They were informed by telegram on the same day: »Son Willem has passed away.« Benni was buried in the children’s graveyard.