Iwan Hiegentlich was a radiotelegraph operator in Assen. As a Jew, he was dismissed from his position at the start of the occupation. He tried to escape to unoccupied France. He arranged to meet somebody on the Kerkstraat and carried a violin as the agreed symbol of identification.
In June 1942 the mayor of Assen issued a request for information regarding the whereabouts of the 'Jew Iwan Hiegentlich,' with no occupation and residing at 2 Singelstraat in Assen. Iwan Hiegentlich had left the home of his parents by bicycle on 7 June 1942 and had not returned. Identifying characteristics: 'about 5'7" tall, slim build, pale complexion, blond hair, rather flat nose, ears that stick out; wearing a grey tweed coat with a belt, green-grey suit without a vest, greenish silk shirt, thick brown-grey woollen necktie, low brown shoes; he was carrying a brown briefcase with a new leather handle. Appears very nervous.'
On 8 June 1942 Iwan Hiegentlich sent his bicycle and the violin he had taken with him back to his parents from The Hague. On 9 June 1942 he sent back his identification papers, money and Star of David from Eindhoven. He reached France but was apparently caught there. He was deported to Sobibor from Camp Drancy.
//Algemeen Politieblad, no. 25, 25 June 1942, 754, notice 1072;
F.J. Hulst and H.M. Luning, De joodse gemeente Assen. Geschiedenis van een behoorlijke Kille, 1740-1976 (Assen 1993) 145, 165//
This person is commemorated on a memorial in Assen. More information on this memorial can be found (in Dutch) on the website of the Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei.
Biography