05/07/2022
At the approach of the Soviet army, the N***s decided to evacuate Auschwitz. All prisoners who were still able to walk, had to come with them. Otto Frank was in the sick barracks at the time. He was unable to come and tried to persuade Peter to hide in the sick barracks, but Peter would not have it. He felt that he had a good chance of surviving the march because he was reasonably fit.
After a difficult journey, Peter and other prisoners arrived at the Mauthausen concentration camp. The hard labour in the mines of the Melk satellite camp took its toll. Peter fell ill and ended up in the sick barracks.
The camp was liberated by American troops on 5 May 1945. According to a list kept by the medical staff, Peter van Pels died on 10 May 1945. He was 18 years old.