Netherlands, German occupation WWII, 25 Cents – 1941

Description

Despite the Dutch neutrality, the Germans invade the Netherlands in May 1940 as part of their plan for the invasion of France. After 5 days of war that included Rotterdam”s bombing (focusing on civil areas as it had already happened in the Spanish Civil War), the surrender and both the royal family and the government fled to London. The occupation was in a quite soft first place, following a “velvet glove” policy, producing a large increase in industrial production. From mid -1941, German demands grew, and the quality of life was drastically reduced. In February of that year there was a strike organized by the Communist Party, in protest of anti -Jewish policy. A large amount of the Jewish population of the Netherlands was deported to the German concentration camps. In greater proportion than in other occupied areas, which seems to be the fruit of bribes to local authorities and police. After the landing of Normandy, the conditions worsened dramatically, with the lack of food and fuel. The allies released the southern part of the country at the end of 1944, although the North and West part suffered an important famine that winter. The complete release of the country came with the capitulation of May 1945. The good initial treatment came from Hitler”s consideration that the Dutch were Aryes, and wanted their incorporation into the Reich. Not wanting to return the Dutch government and not being able to create a puppet government as in France or other places, a civil government led by the Austrian Nazi Arthur Seys-Inquart was created. As we have seen, the duration of the special treatment would last as much as the initial German thrust.