Westerbork is the name of a transit camp located in the Netherlands. You transitioned from Westerbork to your final destination by means of the Nationale Spoorwegen (the national railways). Eddy de Wind, a Dutch Jewish psychiatrist, met his future wife, Friedel, in Westerbork. Both were sent to Auschwitz in 1943. Eddy was sent to Block 9 as part of the medical staff, Friedel to Block 10 to work as a Pfleger (nurse). Block 10 was administered by the Lagerartz (senior camp doctor), Josef Mengele.

When the Nazis left Auschwitz ahead of the Soviet forces in the autumn of 1944, they took many Jews, Gypsies, political prisoners, and others who might have borne witness against them. This journey became known as the Death March. Friedel was among those on that infamous march. Eddy hid in the camp, treating the sick and abandoned, writing a testimony about his experiences, terrified that his beloved Friedel would not survive.