The Almerían Nurse Who Defied the Nazis in Auschwitz

María Alonso: The Almerían Nurse Who Defied the Nazis In the heart of Nazi-occupied Paris, a courageous nurse from Almería, Spain, secretly aided resistance fighters, risking her life to save others. This is the story of María Alonso, a woman whose bravery and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship remain largely untold. María, a nurse and mother of two, worked at the Tenon Hospital in Paris. While fulfilling her duties, she secretly provided medical care to members of the French Resistance. Her actions were clandestine, performed under the cover of her professional role, and were a testament to her unwavering commitment to justice. "She never hesitated to help those in need," recalls a distant relative who has been researching her life. "Her compassion and courage were extraordinary, especially considering the deadly risks involved." In 1941, María's secret work was discovered by the Gestapo, the Nazi secret police. She was arrested and later deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in January 1943. There, she received the number 31778 tattooed on her forearm, a chilling symbol of the dehumanization she faced. Even in the brutal conditions of Auschwitz, María's spirit remained unbroken. She resisted the oppressive regime, facing beatings and abuse with unwavering strength. Her defiance ended tragically when she died in mid-February 1943, succumbing to pneumonia after being attacked by a guard while attempting to drink water from a forbidden source. María Alonso's story is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the extraordinary courage of ordinary people who dared to resist tyranny. Her legacy serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that even in the darkest of times, hope and resistance can prevail.