Life in The Netherlands During WWII
It happened suddenly, fiercely, horribly. Feared, though unexpected, the German invasion of Holland on May 10th, 1940, sent a streak of panic throughout all the dutch people. Only five days later, the dutch were forced to surrender. The next five years would prove to be some of the toughest the citizens of the Netherlands had ever known. From the horrors of the Holocaust, to the tragic “Hunger Winter” of 1944 -1945, life would never be the same. It was a time when friends were betrayed by neighbors, when people were left starving in the streets and when inhumane death affected the lives of all. But even in this time of great sorrow, heroes were being made. |
Dutch soldiers guarding Holland's borders before the Germans invaded.
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Freedom for the Dutch
Held captive in their own country, the Dutch had no hope of being rescued from the menacing Nazis as fear and devastation continued to rule the once cheerful homeland… until the dawn of September, 1944. Of course, their liberation would be no small feat. Trudging through mud and rain laden country, the First Canadian Army was given this daunting task, and would prevail to do so at extraordinary speeds. These battles proved to be genuine sacrifices so others may have the freedom to enjoy the simplicities of life. |