Herbert Zwartz (* 1928) was born in Enschede, Holland. Following the German invasion of the Netherlands and due to the anti-Semitic regulations imposed by the occupiers, Zwartz had to switch to a Jewish school in August 1941 and soon after – like all Jews in the country – was required to wear the yellow star. With the support of the resistance group led by Pastor Leendert Overduin, the Zwartz family went into hiding on April 8, 1943. Herbert and his father’s secret refuge was not far from Curt Bloch’s hideout, while his mother and sister were sheltered separately in another house. On April 1, 1945, all four were liberated. As a tribute to Overduin, Herbert Zwartz recently edited a (German) book about the efforts the Pastor made for the Jewish citizens of Enschede.
