Last Letters of Condemned.
Taken from the book, "Dying We Live"
Hilde Coppi (1910-1943)
Condemned to death when 1 month pregnant, executed by Nazis 8 months
later (aged 33).
Extract from letter to her mother on the day of her execution:
"Dearest Mama, now the time has come when we must say farewell
forever, the hardest part - the separation from little Hans is already
behind me. I know that he will be well taken care of in your dear
hands, and for my sake - be strong, promise me, remain brave, as I am determined
to be.
Marie Kuderikova: b.1921, executed 28/03/43 aged 21:
"My dear parents, my beloved sister and brother... I take
leave of you, I send you final greetings, I love you. Do not weep.
I depart without lamentation, without trembling...
Today, the twenty sixth of March, 1943, at half past six in the
evening I shall draw my last breath, and yet, up to the last moment, to
live and to hope.
Cato van Beek: b.1920, executed 21/01/43 aged 23
"My dearest mama, I still cannot grasp the fact that this must
be a letter of farewell - farewell to you who I hold dear, farewell to
life. ... The only sad thing is that I have not the slightest idea of what
I am to die for. My mama, the time has come and I shall not be living
in a few more hours. That you are not here with me, that is hard.
Other Women executed by the Nazis:
"Libertas" Schulze-Boysen: b.1913, executed 22/12/43 aged
30
Rose Scholosinger: b.1907, executed 05/08/43 aged 37
Sophie Schole: b.1921, executed 1923 aged 22 (see page)
Nazi Germany executed those who opposed the regime through a variety
of methods, most commonly firing squad but also hanging and guillotine.
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