During and before World War I, the Dutch mantained an armed neutrality that would've made it inefficient both in terms of time, and resources to invade, yet in World War II, the Germans invaded through Netherlands, and succeeded, as the Dutch capitulated quickly.
Why did the Germans deem an invasion through Netherlands feasible and worthwile? Would this be related to the pacifist movements during the interwar era, and the lack of preparedness for war in both France, United Kingdoms and Netherlands? Or was it modern developments, such as bombers (the capitulation of Netherlands came right after the bombing of Rotterdam) and modern doctrines?
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For some reason asking my Grandfather about his experiences during World War II never really crossed my mind. I am a History/Political Science major in university and the World Wars always fascinated me so when i saw him recently I decided to ask him. Some of his stories were really amazing.
My Grandfather was 10 years old and living in the Netherlands during World War II. His older brother was enlisted in the war and was taken as a PoW only three years into the war. His other brother was arrested at a check stop and placed into a work camp. My Grandfather recalled when the Germans first took control of Holland they bombed Rotterdam as a show of power to try and stop any thoughts of rebellion. My Grandfather lived in a farm near Rotterdam and he recalled hearing the explosions and seeing the city burn and smell the smoke in the air for days.
My Grandfather's family owned a grain farm. In one of the silos they built a false bottom and under it they hid Jewish refugees. As the German army still needed food their farm was one of the few places that was not cut off of electricity. Because of this they were able to run electricity down below the silo so that the refugees could have light. When the Germans would come to inspect the farm or search for Jews my Grandfather would run to the edge of the silo and pee against the wall. As he was peeing he would talk down a small hole and tell the refugees the Germans were there.
After Holland was occupied the Germans placed explosives on the underside of of bridges so that in case of an invasion they could cover their retreat. My Grandfather was tasked with finding out where the fuse wires went so that in case of an invasion they could cut these cords and help the allied army. My Grandfather was chosen to do this as a 12 year old boy is much less suspicious than an adult going around bridge. He was also often tasked with hiding fake passports and stolen food stamps at check stops as the soldiers were less likely to search children.
I always knew that my Grandfather lived in Holland during the German occupation but i didn't know at all to the extent that they were involved in hiding Jews or any kind of underground resistance movement. It made World War II much more real to me knowing my own Grandfather had lived through it.
If you have parents, grandparents, great grandparents anyone you know who has lived through events such as a world war ask them about it! I'm sure many of them would be more than happy to s
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My mom was born in Blaricum in 1940 and was very lucky to escape a holding camp there (her Grandfather bribed the Nazi guards to let her and her family go). She emigrated to the United States in 1967 and lives here now.
I would be interested in hearing other stories of Jewish families during that time if you are interested in sharing.
This might be interesting for people researching ancestors in the Netherlands (in this case Zeelandic Flanders in the province of Zeeland) where over the years many people decided to emigrate to the United States.
http://www.dutchgenealogy.nl/dealing-with-records-loss-in-world-war-ii/
They didn't invade during World War I, what circumstances changed?
