Invasion of the netherlands
"It was May 9, 1940, when some of my friends were visiting my family in my home. We had the radio on and were listening to Hitler give one of his fine speeches. There were quite a few people that night, and we all knew German. We heard Hitler say that the Netherlands did not have to fear because the Dutch had been neutral during the first world war, and he would respect our neutrality. We were not important to his campaign, so we didn't have to worry."
-Diet Eman (Oral History, US Holocaust Memorial Museum)
Despite Hitler's promise not to invade the Netherlands, the very next day, May 10, 1940, the Germans invaded.
May 10, 1940
"Thunderous noise awoke me. The windows rattled. I jumped up and ran to the front window. The sky was lit with the flashes of bombs. Holland was under attack!" - Ernest Cassutto (The Last Jew of Rottterdam) |
"I groped toward her in the darkness and we threw our arms around each other. Together we said it aloud WAR." |
May 14, 1940
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"I have been in the flames of hell in Rotterdam. And the Sun I saw through the black-gray column of smoke was changed into blood." |
May 15, 1940
"This afternoon, Germany bombarded Rotterdam, while Utrecht has also been threatened with destruction. In order to spare the civil population and to prevent further bloodshed I feel myself justified in ordering all troops concerned to suspend operations. To these troops is also entrusted the duty of maintaining order until the arrival of regular German troops and to retain the arms and ammunition needful for this purpose. The campaign in Zeeland continues. I impress upon the attention of the civil population that all direction to assure order and calm must be observed and that military law will remain in operation locally until the moment of arrival of German troops. I appeal to the population to secure the respect of the enemy by the maintenance of a worthy, earnest and peaceful attitude during the occupation which is nothing wherewith to reproach ourselves in connection with the war. Your bearing and that of the forces was calm, firm of purpose and worthy of the Netherlands. Maintain this bearing. Do not forget that you are Netherlanders and that the kingdom of the Netherlands, even though the Motherland may largely be occupied by the enemy , has not ceased to exist. When the war ends the Netherlands will again stand as an independent, free nation. Long live the Queen."--General Winkeman, Netherlands Commander
"Pentecost I could not celebrate. War of five days and we were conquered. Bitter I have been. Hate I felt. Courage, for I did not shrink from death. Only Diet was there -because of her I still was careful."-Hein Sietsma |
"The Dutch surrendered only because Hitler's bombers had destroyed Rotterdam. They had bombed the middle of the city-where all the people were, of course - and destroyed hospitals and churches as well."-Diet Eman (Things We Couldn't Say) |