After Otto Frank was liberated from Auschwitz on 27 January 1945, his long journey home and the search for his wife and children began. Otto was given a small notebook in which he wrote down events and names with short keywords. On 27 January, for example, the notebook reads: Ruski.^[1] After the liberation of the camp, Otto spent a few weeks in an infirmary that the Soviet army had set up in the camp.^[2]

Otto stayed in the camp until 5 March when his health had improved. He noted some events in his notebook, such as:

• February 12: film screening.
• February 16: First outdoor walk in freedom.
• 23 February: celebration Tag der Roten Armee.

On 23 February 1945, he also wrote a first letter to his mother Alice Frank, who had been living in neutral Switzerland since 1933:

'I hope these lines reach you, bringing you and all our loved ones the news that I have been rescued by the Russians, am healthy and in good spirits and well looked after in every respect. Where Edith and the children are, I do not know, we have been separated since 5 Sept '44. I only heard that they were transported to Germany. We must hope to see them back healthy. Will you please inform my brothers-in-law [Herbert and Julius] and my friends in Holland of my rescue. I long to see you all again and hope this will be possible soon. If only you are all healthy now too. When could I hear from you? Much love and the warmest greetings and kisses. Your son. Otto.'^[3]

Repatriation

According to a report by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the repatriation of Dutch nationals located in Eastern Europe was complicated by several factors. For instance, there were many German deserters running around, especially in Poland. The Polish government and the Soviet army leadership therefore kept tight control of the repatriation of foreigners. Moreover, the French and Belgians were given preferential treatment, with at least six different organisations working side by side (and alongside) each other on behalf of repatriating the Dutch. The aforementioned preferential treatment of French citizens is also evident from Otto Frank's notebook.^[4]

On 19 February 1945, Otto received a Polish-language document with his name, date of birth and tattooed camp number from the Oswiêcim Provisional Municipal Council. Every agency was requested to give him all possible assistance on his journey home.^[5] On 5 March 1945, the Red Cross in the Slaski district of Katowice wrote a statement saying that Otto Frank intended to travel back to his hometown with one or two (this is not entirely clear) Dutchmen.^[6] Another complication was that the Netherlands had not yet been fully liberated.