Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian and Holocaust survivor, most famously known for her work in the Dutch Resistance during World War II. She was born in Amsterdam in 1892 and was arrested by the Gestapo in 1944 for helping Jews escape the Nazis. She was sent to the concentration camp in Ravensbrück, Germany, where she was subjected to harsh living conditions. Ten Boom spent a total of 10 months in the concentration camp before she was released in 1945. She wrote about her experiences in her book, The Hiding Place, which was published in 1971.
During her time in the concentration camp, Corrie ten Boom had a chance encounter with one of her former guards. She wrote about this encounter in her book and described it as a “miracle”. According to her account, she and her sister, Betsie, were called from their barracks to the office of the camp commander. When they arrived, they were shocked to see the guard who had been so cruel to them in the past. He had been promoted to the rank of camp commander and was now in charge.
The guard was surprised to see Corrie and Betsie and said, “You don’t recognize me, do you?” Corrie replied, “No, I don’t.” He then said, “I was the one who guarded you in the camp.” Corrie remembered him immediately and began to tremble in fear. He then said to her, “You must have forgotten all the bad things I did to you. That’s why I’m here. I have come to ask your forgiveness.”
The guard told Corrie that he had become a Christian and had changed his life. Corrie was moved by his story and embraced him, forgiving him for his past actions. She then told him, “There is no more hatred in my heart for you. From now on, I will pray for you every day.” The guard was so moved by Corrie’s words that he bowed his head and wept. He then said, “I will be eternally grateful for your forgiveness.”
After the war, Corrie and her sister returned to their home in Amsterdam. She wrote about her experiences in The Hiding Place and it became a bestselling book. The story of Corrie and her guard was recounted in the 1975 film adaptation of the book. In the film, Corrie and her guard are played by Julie Harris and Maximilian Schell.
Did Corrie Ten Boom Ever Meet Her Concentration Camp Guard? – Summary
Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian and Holocaust survivor who was arrested by the Gestapo in 1944 and sent to the concentration camp in Ravensbrück, Germany. During her time in the camp, she had a chance encounter with one of her former guards. He had been promoted to the rank of camp commander and was now in charge. He asked her for her forgiveness, which she granted. After the war, Corrie wrote about her experiences in The Hiding Place, which was later adapted into a film in 1975. The story of Corrie and her guard was then recounted in the film.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was Corrie Ten Boom?
Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian and Holocaust survivor, most famously known for her work in the Dutch Resistance during World War II. She was born in Amsterdam in 1892 and was arrested by the Gestapo in 1944 for helping Jews escape the Nazis.
2. What happened to Corrie Ten Boom in the concentration camp?
Corrie ten Boom was subjected to harsh living conditions in the concentration camp in Ravensbrück, Germany. She spent a total of 10 months in the camp before she was released in 1945.
3. What happened when Corrie Ten Boom met her former guard?
When Corrie and her sister were called to the office of the camp commander, they were shocked to see the guard who had been so cruel to them in the past. He had been promoted to the rank of camp commander and was now in charge. He asked Corrie for her forgiveness, which she granted.
4. What did Corrie Ten Boom write about her experiences?
Corrie wrote about her experiences in her book, The Hiding Place, which was published in 1971. Her story was later adapted into a film in 1975.
5. What did Corrie Ten Boom say to her former guard?
When the guard asked Corrie for her forgiveness, she said, “There is no more hatred in my heart for you. From now on, I will pray for you every day.”
6. Where was Corrie Ten Boom born?
Corrie ten Boom was born in Amsterdam in 1892.
7. What rank did the former guard of Corrie Ten Boom have?
The guard had been promoted to the rank of camp commander and was now in charge.
8. How long did Corrie Ten Boom spend in the concentration camp?
Corrie ten Boom spent a total of 10 months in the concentration camp before she was released in 1945.
9. When was The Hiding Place published?
The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom's book about her experiences, was published in 1971.
10. What was the name of the film adaptation of The Hiding Place?
The 1975 film adaptation of The Hiding Place was called The Hiding Place.
11. Who was the guard of Corrie Ten Boom?
The guard of Corrie ten Boom was not identified by name.
12. What did the former guard of Corrie Ten Boom do when she forgave him?
The guard was so moved by Corrie’s words that he bowed his head and wept. He then said, “I will be eternally grateful for your forgiveness.”
13. When was Corrie Ten Boom arrested by the Gestapo?
Corrie ten Boom was arrested by the Gestapo in 1944 for helping Jews escape the Nazis.
14. What did Corrie Ten Boom do after the war?
After the war, Corrie and her sister returned to their home in Amsterdam. She wrote about her experiences in The Hiding Place and it became a bestselling book.
15. How did Corrie Ten Boom respond when the guard asked her for forgiveness?
When the guard asked her for her forgiveness, Corrie replied, “No, I don’t.” She then told him, “There is no more hatred in my heart for you. From now on, I will pray for you every day.”
16. What did the former guard of Corrie Ten Boom tell her?
The guard told Corrie that he had become a Christian and had changed his life.
17. What was the name of the concentration camp where Corrie Ten Boom was held?
Corrie ten Boom was held in the concentration camp in Ravensbrück, Germany.
18. Who played Corrie Ten Boom in the 1975 film adaptation of The Hiding Place?
Corrie and her guard were played by Julie Harris and Maximilian Schell in the 1975 film adaptation of The Hiding Place.
19. What did Corrie Ten Boom write about the encounter with her former guard?
Corrie wrote about her encounter with her former guard in her book and described it as a “miracle”.
20. How did Corrie Ten Boom feel when she saw her former guard again?
When Corrie saw her former guard again, she remembered him immediately and began to tremble in fear.