Frau Willy Rosen

Olga Maria Krauskopf met Willy in the Netherlands where he had sought refuge from Nazi persecution. He had written, produced and directed Revues at various theatres, notably in Scheveningen and the Schwouburg in Amsterdam. He met Olga after his divorce to Elsbeth Hoffmann had been finalised in 1940, at the insistence of the Gestapo. They were both interned in Westerbork in June 1943. Olga worked in the Laundry and Willy Rosen worked as one of the "Flying Column" of the Ordedienst in the camp. From July 1943 both were member's of Kommandant Gemmeker's Cabaret, the "Best Cabaret in Europe". Both of Olga's parents were deported in September 1943 to Auschwitz, where they were murdered. Willy's mother, Amalie, died in Theresienstadt on March 21 1943. When the Cabaret was ordered to be closed both Olga and Willy Rosen were deported on September 4 1944 to Theresienstadt as numbers 576 and 577. It was on this Transport that Johnny and Jones were also deported. From Theresienstadt, Willy Rosen, Johnny & Jones and Max Ehrlich were transported to Auschwitz, on Transport El on September 29 1944. Willy was murdered with Max on arrival, most likely on September 30. Olga Rosen was sent to Auschwitz on Transport En as number 87. She died in Auschwitz on March 15 1945. Willy and Olga had no children and no surviving members of Olga's family is known. Willy had two surviving sisters, one of whom had family in South America, but it is not known if there are any living relatives.