Five Brothers and a War

1945 Summary

Jan 02, 1945

In a broadcast by Radio Oranje, the Dutch government-in-exile orders civil servants not to cooperate with the conscription of men (ages 16-40) to work for the Germans (Liese Aktion). Armed resistance in Amsterdam shoots ten civil servants who defy the government's order; the Liese Aktion-office (at the Spieghelschool) put to the torch. Elsewhere, such offices are attacked as well. The Germans take revenge by killing dozens of hostages. Dutch prime minister Gerbrandy and merchant marine minister J.M. De Booy urge Eisenhower to seriously prepare for aid to the starved regions of Western Holland. The Soviets advance towards the river Oder. Germans surrender in the Ardennes. The Gestapo raids board meeting Foundation 1940-1945, the organization which aids survivors of fallen resistance men. Germans start massive evacuation of Roermond, Venlo, Tiel and surroundings. Queen Wilhelmina appeals to President Roosevelt and King George VI to offer occupied Holland more (food) assistance. Minister J.A.W. Burger criticizes military rule and denazification process in liberated Brabant. Resistance sinks S.S. Westerdam and dry dock Titan in Rotterdam harbour. Sabotage prevents Germans from deliberately sinking ship in traffic lane. Prins Bernhard sends Rotterdam-group his congratulations. With Allies approaching, Germans start “evacuation” of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Gerbrandy fires Burger; socialist colleagues Albarda and van den Tempel resign their posts. A group of prisoners released from death camp Bergen-Belsen arrives in neutral Switzerland, alarm over their physical condition. Authorities forced to reduce food rationing at central soup kitchens in Holland. Germans stop food transport to western Holland, arrest almost entire Landelijk Werk Comite. Two Swedish ships, the first transport with food and medical supplies, arrive at Delfzijl. Germans prevent distribution. Month-long Battle of Kapelse Veer, a German bridgehead south of the Meuse, ends with costly Allied victory. Bag of potatoes fetches 560 war-time guilders. Allied leaders Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin confer at Yalta about occupation of Germany. Germans arrest resistance leader Hugo

Jan 05

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Jan 24

Jan 25

history Jan 26

Jan 27

Jan 28

Jan 31

Feb 04

Feb 08 Feb 12 Feb 21 Feb 22

Allies start offensive to occupy German territory west of Rhine.

Germans kill hostage Walraven van Hall.

Allied planes bomb parts of Hengelo (the third time since October 6), 24 killed. Bombing raid on Deventer's IJssel bridge misses target, 61 killed, including 22 seniors in a rest home.

Five Brothers and a War

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