We were able to free some bodies, but most we found were dead. For the rest of the day we worked to keep the survivors alive while ambulances arrived. By then it was already dark and me and my family were exhausted. I cursed the Germans over and over and went to ask one of the doctors at the scene whether any of our Dutch planes would be doing that to German cities. He replied “Haven’t you heard? We’ve surrender…”
My heart sank, even though I knew that we were no match for the Germans. “From now on” I told Jack “we will be under German rule.”
April 27th 1942
Life is different with the Germans around, but not as bad as I had previously thought. A lot has happened though, between their invasion and now. I now live in The Hague and have applied for the job of cleaning the streets. Life isn’t bad with the Germans around but it has definitely changed. ID cards are compulsory and have been issued to everyone. They have your finger prints, a picture of you, and other various details. The Germans have asked for co-operation from us and have released all prisoners of war as a gesture of peace. That however, has not changed the way I feel about them, not after witnessing the bombing of Rotterdam. Many Jews have committed suicide at the thought of German rule and we have all been forced to fill out forms about any Jewish blood in our families. Jack even told my that 3 little boys, all jews, had been removed from his class.
The queen has run off to England and German soldiers are now a common sight on the streets. A new party, the NBS, one I have never heard of before, has risen to the surface of the political world. This party supports Nazis and has therefore had a lot of attention lately. The set backs of joining this party is the fact that the majority of the population resent you, however, there is an advantage. People who are part of the NBS are treated with more respect by the Germans and have certain privileges others do not, e.g. receiving special cards which allow them to buy some bread at the bakers for free. However, despite my resentment towards the Nazis I know that opposition will be useless. I have therefore joined the ‘Netherlands Union,’ a party set up to work together with the Germans. Another reason for my joining this party is because the Germans have gagged all the other parties, such as socialism, leaving me no alternative. My family and I will be glad when the Germans leave and so, I think, will be the rest of Holland. The only question now is, ‘how much longer will it take before the Germans are finally driven out of here?’
September 5th 1944
Today was a day of both joy and bitter disappointment. This morning, on the streets of The Hague, German soldiers could be seen all running in the same direction, north. To me and to everyone else, this looked like a retreat from the Germans. We had heard that the Allies were doing well in France, and “now” we thought “It was our turn.” We paraded onto the street, holding anything we could find that was orange and brandishing it at the Germans. We were expecting the allied troops to come marching through the streets and many people waited outside to greet them. But nobody came. We waited hours and hours, too naïve to realise that there was a chance that the Germans had not retreated at all. Hours passed while people continued to parade, but at around 5 o’clock it was announced on the wireless that the Germans had not retreated, they had merely taken up a new position in Holland, and were preparing to fight the allies. We all felt stupid and disappointed, yet hope remains in our hearts, that although the liberation of Holland may not have occurred today, I feel the it is imminent, and all we have to do is be patient.
September 25th 1944
Eight days ago I was listening to the wireless when an interesting report caught my attention. “Operation Market Garden, the plan to liberate Holland” I heard. Apparently, a huge operation was taking place that day, one that would end the war if it succeeded. I was told that the plan was still going ahead and that it was taking place in the region near Nijmegen and Arnhem. The reporter said that troops were landing in that region, but the details of the plan are still unknown. I remembered that my Brother lived in Arnhem and I called him to ask what was going on. He has been giving me a day to day report of what has been going on.
The first day, 17th September, he witnessed thousands of troops being deployed near the bridge at Arnhem, “It seemed like it was raining soldiers, but the thing that struck me most, was how far behind enemy lines they were being dropped,” he said. He also said that British planes had bombed places around the bridge where the Germans had bases. “The British did not bomb the bridge itself, apparently because they needed it for something else” he told me. Heavy fighting went on for the next few days evidently in order to capture the bridge. Frank also said that within a few days tanks started arriving to aid the allies. The British at first seemed to have the upper hand in their struggle to capture the bridge however, It was soon evident that the Germans were doing the most damage. Battle raged on for 8 days from September 17th onwards and in the end it was the British who were forced to retreat. “I think, the key factor in German victory was their tanks. They seemed to be everywhere, continuously bombarding the British and causing massive amounts of destruction.” Said frank over the phone today. He also added that the Germans were evacuating Arnhem and that he would contact me as soon as possible. Now the operation is over and the Germans have yet to be removed from Holland. I feel let down once again, but the thing that angers me most, is the fact that I can’t do anything about it.
December 29th 1944
It seems Holland has one last hurdle to get over before we are finally freed, or at least that’s the way I see it, for hope remains in my heart.
A few short months ago, our government called upon the railway workers of Holland to refuse to do their jobs, thus hindering German transport of goods in and out of our land. We all had a feeling the liberation of Holland by the allied soldiers was at hand, and therefore wanted to show our defiance towards the Germans. All railways stopped and people marched onto the street to join the railway workers on strike. We knew that punishment was inevitable, but we had no idea, that it was to be on such a harsh scale. The Reichskommisioner reacted in the most inhumane way possible to our defiance. He cut off all supply roots of food for Holland, and we have been starving ever since. At first we did not realise the seriousness of our situation, and did not stop to think to buy extra food. Now we have paid the price. Life is terrible…
There is less food around everyday and it is extremely cold. My family have not had a proper meal in 5 days, and we have found keeping warm exceedingly difficult. Wood is scarce now due to people burning it for heat. Even the wood from under train tracks has been removed. People have taken to eating their pets and even tulip bulbs, giving their faces a slight green tinge. I have tried to get food, I really have. I have tried trading in any possessions I have for a loaf of bread, I have tried working for people, but nothing seems to work. We have been reduced to scavengers, looking for any scraps of food we can find. Our rations have been reduced to 450 calories a day, and we are now forced to look for an alternative for food. Cats and dogs for instance. I never knew they could taste so nice after a long day of scavenging. My biggest concern now is for little Jack. He is looking so thin I can’t bear to look at him and he can barely talk he is so weak. His tummy is swollen up and his eyes seem to be popping out of his head. Most of the food me and my wife find we give to him, but there is so little around, that I fear the worst for him. Nearly everything in Holland has been shut down, schools, factories, the lot. Our country is a mess and unless something gives soon, I fear that there will be no more future for Holland and its people.
April 29th 1945
At last! Help has arrived. This after noon, it was like heaven on earth. My family and I have fought long and hard to stay alive during the winter, and we, along with the rest of Holland, have finally been relieved of our suffering. The Germans, who are obviously too incompetent to produce their own food, have agreed to let the allies make food drops from aircraft, as they fly over Dutch cities. This morning, I heard the same rumbling noise of aircraft in the distance, just like at the bombing over Rotterdam. Rumours had been spreading that the allies would be dropping food, and although I had been looking forward to this day ever since, I could not stop myself from being cautious, owing to my previous experiences with the sound of German aircraft. As the aircraft drew near, people started coming out side and what ever strength they had left, they used to shout and cheer at the planes. I too followed them eventually, leaving my wife to look after Jack. AS the first plane passed low over our heads, we could see large crates being dropped and as the first one hit the ground. Everyone immediately made for it and as the first person reached the crate and opened it, wild and passionate screams of joy and relief could be heard. I however, had remained where I was and chassed after the second crate, which had fallen near me. My mouth was watering heavily as I opened it, and as I opened the crate I grabbed whatever I could that was in there and stuffed it in my mouth. It was a glorious feeling, chewing something edible for once, and I soon recognised the long forgotten taste of potatoes. However, I could not savour the moment for too long. Greedy hands were already snatching things out of the crate and it was already half empty. I too began to grab what ever I could get my hands on, and used the clothes I was wearing as a bag to take it home in. Once I was sure I could carry no more, I set off back home, to find my wife and son crying with joy. I handed them both an apple and a slice of bread and they ate it with relish. We ate and ate, taking at first small bites and then larger and larger. For dinner my wife even decided to cook the food and we ate our boiled potatoes with beans together at the table. It was the first decent meal we had had since the start of the winter, and I ate with tears of joy. God bless the allies!!
May 5th 1945
Freedom at last!! The Nazi scum, who have occupied and corrupted our land for so long, subjecting it to brutal conditions, exploiting its resources and people, destroying its infra-structure and bringing death and suffering, have finally been driven out and defeated. After almost five years under German rule, the Dutch nation and its people are free once more. Restoring Holland to its previous state may seem like an insurmountable task, but one way or another, with the help of the sheer determination of the Dutch people, it shall be done.
The Third Reich has fallen, good as inevitably triumphed over evil and peace has been restored in Europe and the rest of the world. This day marks the end of the Second World War and the beginning of a what I hope will be, a new and better life.