Hiding Place Valtherbos

The cave was built by Bertus Zefat to provide a hiding place for Jews. He and other villagers provided them with food for years. All 20 people survived World War II because of him. Bertus Zefat was shot by the SS in 1944, but he did not reveal his hiding place.

During the Second World War, 15 Jews were hiding in the later so-called Jodenhol. In this hole in the Valther Forest in the province of Drenthe, the submerged lived for about two and a half years. There was always the danger of being discovered, e.g. by forest workers who worked nearby. During the day the camouflage was very important. On a tree, the submerged had also set up an observation post. Traces of this can still be seen in this book.

The "Jodenhol" consisted of two parts of 3.5 by 7 meters and 2.5 by 3 meters in area. The "rooms" in which tables and chairs stood were also the sleeping quarters. There was an oven and a cooking possibility. Inhabitants of the village of Valthe, especially the Zefat and Westerink families, helped supply the people hiding in Jodenhol.