Nico Peeters was born on 12 April 1893 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and lived in The Hague. He grew up with his brothers and sister in a family with deaf parents. He was an entrepreneur and resistance member. Nico owned a cigar factory with his brother Ben. The Peeters family was idealistic and active in the resistance. Nico made pamphlets himself and was an employee of the resistance magazine De Waarheid in The Hague. He was arrested at the beginning of 1942 by the Gestapo. After two years of captivity in the Netherlands transported to Dachau. There Nico died of typhoid fever.
While imprisoned, Peeters was allowed to send and receive mail. However, mail sent from Nazi camps was subject to strict censorship. The number of rules allowed was limited. Only simple information about health and daily life was allowed. The Blockführer had to read and sign the mail then it went to the censorship office.
Below are some of Nico’s correspondence—looking at the positive messages in the letters and then realising its heavy censorship.
July 20, 1942
As you will notice, I am no longer in Scheveningen. Other than that, I am doing well with my health and the environment is also more beautiful here and, I have more opportunity to be outside, so I hope that the recovery for my nerves.
September 1, 1942
I received your letter of August 6 in good health. My nerves are getting better, but I have had other minor discomforts that may occur. Broken feet and ulcerated hands, haemorrhoids, etc. The entire atmosphere is different than in Scheveningen, so that’s why it’s different with me.
October 4, 1942
Dear wife and children,
I received your last letter with great joy and in good health. Bertha, you notice that the last letters say so little. The reason is certainly the changed circumstances here and the brevity to which I must adhere. My feelings towards you are unchanged and my longing for you is just as great and I hope it can be proven soon. I am getting better. My health is good, my mood is normal, and I look calmly and with courage to the future.
“
June 11, 1944
It’s finally time again that I can write to you. I’ve been here in Germany for 14 days. It’s all the same here as in Vucht I haven’t heard from you for two months. I hope everything is still good with you. Everything is still fine with me (…) We are here in a beautiful mountainous area with ever-changing skies and views. I am very much in the fresh air. (…) This letter has been written for me by a comrade. You will recognize my hand by the signature.
sources
https://brabantsegesneuvelden.nl/persoon/nico-peeters-s-hertogenbosch-1893
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