Maja Philipson Avoided Deportation
The Philipson family lived on Markveien in Grünerløkka neighborhood in Oslo. On November 26, 1942 a Norwegian police officer and a member of the NS Hird organization came to arrest Maja Philipson and her two children Charles and Gerd, as well as Maja’s sister Thora Londin. Maja’s husband, Jakob Philipson, was at that time in hiding. Maja was told to pack and make herself ready to leave. The police officer left the apartment, while the other official stayed behind preventing her from fleeing. Maja packed the clothes and other things she thought may be of use for a journey to an unknown destination. She asked her twelve-year old daughter Gerd to burn the pictures in the family album (displayed here) as a way of preserving the memories.
At around 14.30 the policeman returned. The taxi waiting outside drove them to the harbor. When they arrived at the pier, however, the SS Donau gangway had already been pulled in. The late arrival effectively saved the family from deportation.
The question remains if the policeman deliberately delayed their departure.
Maja Philipson testified on behalf of this particular policeman during his post-war trial.