The brothers desperately tried to bring their parents from Germany to Switzerland or the USA. But Arnold Wochenmark only got the answer from the Swiss authorities: „The immigration of your parents is undesirable”. Alfred's efforts also failed.

Josef and Bella Wochenmark first had to move into a 'Judenhaus' [Jews’ House] in Stuttgart. In 1943 came the deportation order to Theresienstadt. The couple decided to commit suicide. Josef Wochenmark died on March 8. His wife Bella survived seriously injured and was deported to Theresienstadt, and from there to Auschwitz and murdered. The sons learned of their parents' fate only after the war.