Anne Frank Part 6: The Van Pels Family Arrive at the Secret Annex

Anne Frank Part 6: The Van Pels Family Arrive at the Secret Annex

Today I want to take a look at the at when the Frank family were no longer alone in the Secret Annex. After spending just over a week adjusting to their new life, they were joined by another family who would share their cramped living space for more than two years.

The Van Pels family already knew the Franks before they went into hiding. Hermann van Pels worked for one of Otto Frank’s Amsterdam businesses as a specialist in herbs, spices and pectin, and the two men had grown a friendship. As the terrible persecution of Jewish families became increasingly serious, Otto invited the Van Pels family to join them in the Secret Annex. 

On the 13th of July 1942, Hermann and Auguste van Pels and their 15-year-old son Peter, arrived at the Annex. In Anne’s diary they were given the pseudonym Van Daan to help protect their identities if the diary was ever discovered. 

The Van Pels family had always been part of Otto Frank’s original plan for the Secret Annex. But, when Margot Frank received her call-up notice, the Frank family were forced to move into hiding earlier than expected on the 6th of July 1942. The Van Pels family followed a week later, after making their own preparations and waiting until it was safe.

Their arrival made the Annex feel much more crowded. Everyone had to learn to live alongside one another. There was very little privacy, and even the smallest disagreements could become difficult when nobody was able to leave.

Anne later wrote in her diary that living together was not always easy. Everyone had different personalities, habits and opinions, and the constant pressure of hiding made small disagreements feel much larger. She described Hermann van Pels as outspoken and quick-tempered at times. She sometimes felt Auguste van Pels could be too critical. Anne also wrote about occasional disagreements with her own mother, Edith. Even so, everyone understood that they had to work together, because their survival depended on keeping the peace and remaining hidden.

Finding enough space for everyone to sleep was another challenge. Anne and Margot Frank initially shared a small bedroom. Otto and Edith Frank slept in the adjoining room. Hermann and Auguste van Pels shared a room, which was the communal kitchen and dining area during the day. Peter van Pels had a tiny room of his own next to the attic, where he also kept his cat, Mouschi. Even at night, privacy was limited, and everyone had to adapt to living in very close quarters.

Anne was especially curious about Peter. At first she thought he was quiet, shy and rather awkward. Although they did not become close friends immediately, Peter would later become one of the most important people in Anne’s life during their time in hiding.

Peter also brought his pet cat, Mouschi, into the Secret Annex. Having a cat in hiding brought some comfort. Anne occasionally wrote about Mouschi in her diary, describing the cat’s movements around the Annex. Even in such difficult circumstances, caring for a pet gave those in hiding a brief escape from the constant fear surrounding them.

With seven people now living inside the Annex, life became even more challenging. Food was even more limited, silence became more challenging but still essential during working hours. The helpers outside had an even greater responsibility to keep everyone safe.

Next time, I want to take a look at how seven people tried to live together inside such a small space, and the rules they had to follow every single day to avoid being discovered.

What do you think would have been the hardest part of sharing such a small hidden space with so many other people?