In 1971 when Henk Geerdink and I were visiting Henri Brouwers, he identified Alphonsine Vliexs as one of the girls who had helped me. Henk knew her well, but was surprised to learn that she had been active in the escape line. Henk promptly drove me to her home. I was just thrilled to meet Alphonsine, and we began to talk about our trip to Liege. Thinking that she had been accompanied by her sister, I asked how she was. Alphonsine burst into tears and sobbed as she clutched her mother who was sitting beside her. I was distressed, as I realized that something tragic had occured.
Later I learned the dreadful details. Her sisters, Heberyta and Pia, had been active in the resistance and had been captured and slaughtered by the Germans. A German officer, angered at Huberyta's resistance, had beheaded her with his sword.
Two months after aiding us, Alphonsine went into hiding but was captured on September 10th. She was imprisoned in the concentration camp at Ravensbrook and later in Sachenhausen. After surviving eight months of inhumanity and deprivation she was released, in poor health, by the Russians. This picture is when she was rescued, weak, and surrounded by loved ones.