From Berlin to Rome to London—Rosa exits in March 1938
Ilse told the story that Rosa travelled by train to Rome, probably shortly before flying to England. The daughter of a friend gave Rosa jewelry for Rosa to get of the Germany on her behalf.
Rosa bought herself a first-class ticket and found an empty compartment, the jewelry tied into her underwear, only to find herself being joined by a Gestapo officer, who felt free of course to make a pass at any female he came across. Ilse had similar tales to tell; the Gestapo seemed to make a habit of it, never passing up an opportunity. They knew full well they could get away with it.
In Rome, Rosa went to Ella and Werner Prager, who had already escaped from Germany with the help of the Roman Catholic church. The Pragers had traveled first to Peruga, Werner dressed as a monk, Ella passing herself off as a General's widow and their daughter Lotte as the general's widow's lady's maid.
Born 03 July 1873 and now almost sixty-seven, Rosa finally arrived in England. She had already been widowed for ten years. She was now going to have to get by as best she could in the lonely and unfamiliar surroundings of a totally strange land.
