Girl in the Blue Coat

The Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II began in May 1940, when German forces quickly overran Dutch defenses after bombing Rotterdam. The occupation lasted until Germany surrendered in May 1945, marking a period of profound hardship for the Dutch population, who were politically neutral before the German invasion.

Initially, the occupation seemed relatively benign, with the German authorities maintaining a semblance of normalcy. However, the situation rapidly deteriorated as the Nazis implemented harsh policies, including strict censorship, forced labor, and the systematic persecution of Jewish people. Approximately 140,000 Jewish people lived in the Netherlands at the time, and by the end of the war, around 75% had been deported to concentration camps, including Anne Frank and her family.

The Dutch resistance, though fragmented, conducted sabotage operations, provided intelligence to the Allied powers, and aided Jewish people and other persecuted groups in hiding. In response, the Nazis conducted mass arrests and public executions.

The final year of the occupation, known as the “Hunger Winter” of 1944-1945, saw widespread famine due to German blockades and the harsh winter, leading to the deaths of thousands from starvation and cold. The liberation in May 1945 by Allied forces marked the end of a brutal and oppressive period in Dutch history.