Samuel Jacob (Jim) Kleerekoper worked in the summer of 1943 in the so-called Transport Command (loading and unloading of goods wagons) in ‘Zwangsarbeitslager’’ (forced labour camp) Lublin. He was a professional singer and despite his weakened state he would sing in the camp for his fellow prisoners and – under pressure - for the Germans. People knew him under the nickname ‘Tosca’ . Because he had been singing in the entire camp, the prisoners knew him.
On 15 June 1943 he wrote a postcard with the following German text to the Dutch Been family in Amsterdam, which he signed with "SJ Kleerekoper, Arbeitslager Lublin (Alter Flughafen)”: Liebe allen und special Muti und Vati, es geht mir ausgezeichnet gut. Hoffentlich geht es ihnen auch gut. Uns Arbeitlager ist sehr gut, ebenso das Essen. Jeder Woche haben wir Feiertag, und singe ich für alle Frauen und Männer die hier im Lager arbeiten. Mein Verlangen nach ihnen ist grosz.Ich küsse ihnen jeden Nacht im Gedanken und sei überzeugt dass ich immer meinen Liebe Eltern gedenken. Hiermit endyg ich mit vielen Kuessen für meinen Eltern und vielen Gruessen von ihren geliebten Sohn Jim Kleerekoper.
Shortly after he wrote this letter, Jim Kleerekoper stayed behind in one of the loaded wagons after his work, together with a Polish Jew in order to escape or to take a rest. When they did not appear on the standing at attention, the Germans searched for them and quickly discovered them. The next day a big standing at attention was held in the men’s camp where also the female prisoners had to be present. In attendance of the prisoners Jim Kleerekoper and his fellow prisoner had to build their gallows after which they were hanged.
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