It wasn't
unusual for the sky over Antwerp to be overcast. But even though the sun was
shining brightly, it seemed to be much darker than usual. Gerrit Wins knew
it wasn't the weather that created this impression of darkness, it was the
fear of the descending German army.
There wasn't time to be tidy.
The German attitude was well known and the Wins family heritage was Jewish.
Hopefully, though, there would be enough time to gather together the most
portable of their possessions and just leave. "Where was Leo? That impetuous
19 year old son was probably bicycling around looking for the rumored German
paratroopers."
Gerrit hurriedly looked around his factory for the last time. As he raced from one work-station to another, he scooped up what he could manage in a few fateful minutes. All the years of work and all that had been created had to be abandoned. If he could just take a portion of the results of their labors, and drive south and away from the terror that was coming.
Leo showed up. The French army had arrested him, thinking him a German because of his native Dutch speech. A few phone calls to friends convinced the French that he was no German. It was time to go. Their car, a frightened family and a small briefcase was all there was, for now.
The French border would be closed. This was normal in wartime. The roads had to be kept clear so the defending army could maneuver. Still the roads were packed with refugees. The small briefcase had a life saving role to play. Gerrit Wins convinced the French army to give him a safe passage pass. This was critical. Without the pass, there would be delays that could cost them everything. The French army officer agreed that the briefcase should not fall into German hands.
Now, their fate would be determined by what might transpire on the dangerous road south. Leo suggested they drive as far as they could without stopping. The most important obstacle to cross was the Seine river. They drove all night and finally found a bridge that was open. Gas was a problem, but they finally found enough.
The day after crossing the Seine, they heard that the bridges had been blown. They just made it. Maybe, the small village near Bordeaux would be safe. Gerrit was confident the briefcase would help them when needed. This was important, just feeling some degree of security in these very difficult times.
All was still confusion. one day Gerrit Wins reported to his family that they had to leave France and go to England. France had capitulated to the Germans. There was a Dutch coastal boat, under command of the British Army, just outside the harbor. After what seemed like forever, the Dutch crew convinced the British commander to allow this small Dutch family to join the 300 refugees already crowded on board.
Getting to England and being in England were two different things. But Gerrit Wins and part of his family made it. They were together. At least Gerrit, his wife Esther, Leo and the younger son, Hans. Together, except for a daughter, Frieda, on holiday in Holland who couldn't be found in time and a son, Max, who got lost during the travel through France. Frieda was an athlete and had made many friends in Holland who protected her during the five years of the war. Max bicycled nearly to Switzerland and stayed and fought with the resistance in France.
Gerrit still carried his small briefcase, keeping it with him at all times, even when he slept. It had made their passage through France possible. Now it contained the only part of their old life he could salvage. That, and the wet and dirty clothes on their backs were all they had. This briefcase had truly saved their lives and was now to be the beginning of their new life.
What was in the briefcase that made it so important? What could be so important that the French army gave them very special, preferential treatment? What could be the basis for a whole new life? After all their other possessions, their homes, offices and factories were lost? A life's work for him, his father and his family was reduced to this small package. Fortunately for them, they were diamond cutters!
