May 1940

The Netherlands was barely prepared for the German attack that started on 10 May 1940. The speed and the material with which the Germans invaded our country overwhelmed the Dutch defences. On 14 May, Hitler ordered a bombardment on Rotterdam and subsequently threatened to do the same to Utrecht. Commander in Chief General Winkelman decided to surrender in the early morning of 15 May.

The Jewish refugees in Westerbork did not wait to await the developments. They feared what was waiting for them when the Nazis were in control. At their request, an evacuation plan had already been drawn up. If an invasion occurred, they would be brought to England through Zeeland. That, too, didn’t happen in the first days of war. The refugees departed from Hooghalen by train, but they didn’t get any further than Zwolle: the IJssel bridge was blown up. The alternative route via the Afsluitdijk ended in Leeuwarden, where the refugees were given shelter with families.

The Dutch authorities decided to house all Jewish refugees in Westerbork after the failed evacuation. The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Justice tried extra hard by tracking down all ‘lost’ evacuees and returning them to Central Refugee Camp Westerbork.

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