HERMANN BEEKHUIS (1941 – 1941)

Hermann Beekhuis lived for only a few months. He was born on 18 March 1941 in Weener (Leer). His parents were Hinderikus, a labourer, and Hilke Beekhuis (née Behrends). At the time of his birth, his father was serving as a soldier in the war. Hermann was born with malformations. Among other things, he had a cleft lip and palate. For this reason, he was reported to the »Reich Committee« by the medical officer in Leer. Hilke Beekhuis had to admit her son to the »children’s ward« at the Hamburg-Rothenburgsort Children’s Hospital. He was admitted on 25 June 1941 as a so-called »Reich Committee child with severe malformations«. His malformations were photographed and his development was recorded.

Die Krankengeschichte von Hermann Beekhuis ist leicht vergilbt. Das Papier ist auf der linken Seite eingerissen. Es ist handschriftlich mit dunkler Tinte beschrieben. Links stehen verschiedene Daten untereinander, rechts davon die dazugehörigen Einträge. Beim Eintrag vom 2. September sind die Worte »Vom Reichsausschuss Bescheid eingelaufen« rot unterstrichen.

Medical history of Hermann Beekhuis.

Hamburg State Archives 352-8/7 Langenhorn State Hospital No. 86294.

Due to bomb damage, Hermann Beekhuis was temporarily placed in a home on 30 June 1941. On 8 August, he returned to the Rothenburgsort »children’s ward«. Three days later, he was transferred to Wentorf due to a lack of space caused by construction work. From there, he returned to the Rothenburgsort »children’s ward« for a second time on 2 September. Since the »Reich Committee« had meanwhile issued a treatment authorisation, he was murdered the following day by the doctor Helene Sonnemann.

Es ist ein schwarz-weißes Foto. Helene Sonnemann und Harriet Stoltenberg stehen vor einer weißen Tür mit eingesetzten Glasscheiben. Helene Sonnenberg trägt einen weißen Arztkittel und lacht. Ihre dunklen Haare sind wellig. Sie trägt eine Art geöffneten Umschlag unter dem Arm. Sie blickt nach rechts. Harriet Stoltenberg trägt eine Schwestern-Uniform mit einer weißen Haube. Sie hat sich bei Helene Sonnemann untergehakt und lächelt in ihre Richtung. Sie scheint gerade etwas Unterhaltsames gesagt zu haben.

Helene Sonnemann (left) with head nurse Harriet Stoltenberg in front of the Hamburg-Rothenburgsort Children’s Hospital, before September 1943.

Private property of Margaretha Veth.

After his death, Hermann’s body was opened and his brain examined. The dead child was then transferred to the harbour hospital to be buried from there.

His death certificate, bearing the incorrect date of death of 4 September 1941, was only issued ten days later upon request.

In 1943, Helene Sonnemann brought around 300 children, 70 nurses and six female doctors from bombed-out Hamburg to Celle. She received a medal for her efforts, remained in Celle and pursued a career at the General Hospital. In 1976, she retired as chief physician of the paediatric clinic and deputy medical director of the General Hospital in Celle. Until the end of her professional career, she also headed the nursing school and trained young nurses. She died in 1998 without ever having been held accountable for her involvement in the murders in the »children’s ward« in Rothenburgsort.