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| Puls truck during the war. |
Dutch entrepreneur who worked for the Nazi’s during WWII. Became a member of the Dutch National-Socialist Movement (NSB) in 1934 and he had a removal company at the Kerkstraat in Amsterdam. During the war some 29 000 homes of Jewish people were cleaned out by the company of A. Puls and all furniture was handed over to the Einsatzstab Rosenberg. So, very soon, during the war the word ‘pulsen’ became synonymous for ransacking the homes of Jewish families. After razzia’s that took place in Amsterdam, a few days later, large trucks of his company appeared in the streets to empty the houses. The loads were brought to the harbor of Amsterdam and shipped to Germany. This furniture was most of the times given to German families who were bombed out of their houses or to the families of German party-members and soldiers. In Holland also a lot of the furniture was given to members of the NSB or other collaborators. Valuables that were still found in the homes, like jewelry or money, had to be handed over to the German authorities of the M-Aktion or the Einsatzstab Rosenberg, but a lot of it disappeared into the hands of the men working for Puls. Also a lot of the furniture was stolen by neighbours. Within the Einsatzstab Rosenberg different departments had specific tasks. One department only specialized in taking care of all the art that was found in the houses.
During the winter of ’44-’45, a lot of these houses were demolished in order to get hold of all wooden parts of the houses. This was used as firewood. In some cases these houses collapsed on top of people who were trying to get hold of some of the wood, and they were killed. Since September 1944 there was a general railway strike, no trains were riding, and therefore the main source of energy, coal, couldn’t be supplied to the people living in Amsterdam. The coal had to come from the mines in Limburg. So, in Amsterdam, but also in other major cities that were still occupied, everything was used as firewood. Trees were cut down, wooden blocks that were between the tramrails were stolen, every piece of wood people could find was used to keep warm. It is estimated that about 20 000 people died during the winter of 1944-1945 because of foodshortage and the cold.
Sources:
Wikipedia website.
Ondergang, J. Presser, 1967, Amsterdam
Omkijken website: www.omkijken.nl
Rivierenbuurt website: www.zuidelijkewandelweg.nl
Amsterdam City Archives: stadsarchief.amsterdam.nl
Wow ! When my wife and I first got together in 2001 in CA. She recommended I read a Harry Mulisch novel called :The Discovery Of Heaven . It's a great novel . An aspect of the plot early on mentioned an amsterdam removal company called "A. Puls"
ReplyDeleteand that they were nazi sympethizers clearing out jewish homes . My wife is Hendrika Puls . From Arnham NL She was born in 1942 and her and her two sisters and little brother survived the last battle . I was shocked seeing her name , it just seemed so obscure . She said he was a very distant great uncle but that it was true [and] actually did cause her siblings anguish in school . It wasn't until today I looked further . "Pulsen" is not something you'd want to be remembered for
Very interesting. I'm reading the biography of Miep Giels, one of the people who helped Anne Frank's family and she mentioned this ruthless removal company.
DeleteI’m a Puls from America, what stain he has put on the Puls name & shame. To be part of the Nazi party for profit or liberty is disgraceful.
DeleteWe lived om the Nieuwe Keizersgracht 24. My parents got murdered in Auschwitz. Like all of my aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. As well my 91 year old Grandmother. My two brothers got murdered in Mauthausen. I survived because my cousin who perished himself put me into hiding. B. van Essen-Kok.
DeleteI wonder if the Pullman trains was in anyway connected to the A. Puls company.
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