The Dutch resistance to the German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II can be mainly characterized as non-violent, partly because, according to “Was God on Vacation?”, written by Jack van der Geest who was in the Dutch resistance during WWII, a 1938 Dutch law required all guns to be registered. When the Nazis entered, they found the registration list and went house-to-house knowing exactly what guns to demand. As a result, the Dutch resistance had no guns.
Members of the Veghel Resistance with troops of the United States 101st Airborne Division in Veghel in front of the Lambertus church during Operation Market Garden, September 1944. The resistance fighters are Bert van Roosmalen and Janus van de Meerakker from the village Eerde.
Plaque honouring the Dutch resistance members executed by the Germans at Sachsenhausen concentration camp
Netherlands in World War II
Despite Dutch neutrality, Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands on 10 May 1940 as part of Fall Gelb. On 15 May 1940, one day after the bombing of Rotterdam, the Dutch forces surrendered. The Dutch government and the royal family relocated to London. Princess Juliana and her children sought refuge in Ottawa, Canada until after the war.
The city of Rotterdam after the German bombing during the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940.
A bunker of the Peel-Raam Line, built in 1939
Dutch soldiers guard the Holland Water Line shortly after mobilisation, 1939
Henri Winkelman (centre), just after signing the Dutch capitulation, 15 May 1940.
