the M.A.D. pages
OMA REMEMBERS . . . |
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| The political situation moved to disaster when the Germans invaded Holland. We had always hoped that our country could stay neutral, as happened in the 1914-18 war. But this was not to be. On Friday 10.5.1940 at about 7 am. Tine woke me up and said, "Come and look outside". We were living at 51 Orteliuskade, which was on the outskirts of Amsterdam, and we could see what was happening on Schiphol. Waves and waves of bombers of the Deutsche Wehrmacht and bombs exploding everywhere. It was frightening. We turned on the radio and heard that the Germans had passed the border and from then on there were bulletins every now and then, telling us where they were. Only records were played and they were all French and English. This lasted until the next Tuesday, when the Germans bombed Rotterdam. The commander of the Dutch army spoke on radio and told the people that it was impossible for the minute Dutch army to hold out any longer against the superior German forces. During those 5 days Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Bernhard had left for London together with the Cabinet. Princess Juliana and her children were already in Canada. |
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The departure of the Queen was not understood by the people, but later it proved to be a wise move. She encouraged us through regular broadcasts on the BBC "Radio Oranje" and this became the source of reliable information and kept up our spirits. Tine found an opportunity to get Freek a job in the firm, so he was free from the German round-up of young men and also he would earn something. This was not a happy time. Freek did not do very well in the job at first; it was definitely not his cup of tea. This had an adverse effect on our relationship. However, things got better and we decided to go ahead and get married, which happened on 2 June 1943. We looked like a real bride and bridegroom, although my dress was on loan from Tante Annie (Annie and Ries married in 1940) and Freek wore a hired 'jacquet' with silk top hat and grey plastron. When in February I was sure that I expected a child, I resigned and on 30th of June 1944, I left Numan's Blikfabrieken. |
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