German deserter saves Gypsy's life

There is a plaque on the rear of the house with the following text:

German deserter saves life of persecuted "gypsy"

The Lutgens family lived here during the Second World War. The attic was rented to the German Frits Linke, who worked in the Netherlands. After the raid in May 1940, Frits was called up for service in the Wehrmacht. Frits deserted from the German army for reasons of principle. Desertion was punishable by death. That is why he went into hiding in a turf hut in the Peel in Roggel.

Jews and 'gypsies' (Sinti) were persecuted by the Nazis because they were said to be of an inferior race. The gypsy persecution started with a ban on traveling around with a caravan. The Sinto Mannela Franz was married to Agnes, a daughter of the Lutgens family. The couple had two small children. When Mannela was no longer allowed to move, the family moved into the attic, which had become available after Frits Linke went into hiding.

On May 16, 1944, a roundup of 'gypsies' took place in the Netherlands. Beek police officers arrived at night to arrest Mannela. Agnes managed to keep them talking at the front door for so long that Mannela was able to escape through the attic window around the corner on the left. Mannela found shelter in Frits Linke's turf hut. Both survived the war.

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