On May 15, 1940, the Netherlands surrendered to Nazi Germany, marking the beginning of a brutal occupation that would reshape the country forever. While some Dutch citizens complied, others refused to accept fascist rule. As oppression intensified, acts of defiance grew bolder, and the seeds of resistance took root.

In Episode 3 of Woven in Courage, we explore the harsh realities of life under Nazi occupation—how political and religious divisions shaped responses to fascism, the collapse of the Dutch economy, and the earliest heroes who risked everything to fight back. Through firsthand accounts, including entries from my grandfather Fredde Visser’s WWII journals, we uncover the difficult choices Dutch citizens had to make between survival and resistance.

🔹 What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• The Calvinist Divide on Fascism – How Protestant values were used both to justify collaboration and to fuel defiance against the Nazis.
• The False Economy – The illusion of stability under occupation, the rise of black markets, and financial manipulation that deepened societal divides.
• The Fall of the Netherlands – How the country collapsed in just five days and what surrender meant for its people.
• Life Under Nazi Rule – Propaganda, forced labor, and the rapid erosion of freedoms, including the systematic persecution of Jewish citizens.

As the Nazi grip tightened, courageous individuals and groups emerged to resist the occupiers and protect those most vulnerable.

📰 The Underground Press:

• Het Parool – Founded in 1941 by journalist Frans Goedhart, this illegal newspaper became a crucial source of anti-Nazi news and resistance coordination.
• Trouw – Emerging from the Protestant resistance movement, Trouw (meaning "Loyal" or "True") defied the Nazis by spreading unfiltered information and exposing their crimes.

⚔️ Early Resistance Fighters:

• De Geuzen ("The Beggars") – One of the first organized resistance groups, formed in Vlaardingen on May 14, 1940. Composed of former Dutch soldiers and patriots, De Geuzen engaged in sabotage, circulated anti-Nazi leaflets, and gathered intelligence to aid the Allies. Many members were captured and executed, but their bravery inspired future resistance efforts.
• The Jewish Resistance in Amsterdam – As persecution escalated, Jewish citizens fought back. Brave individuals like Hannie Schaft and sisters Freddie and Truus Oversteegen carried out sabotage missions and assassinations of Nazi officials, demonstrating remarkable courage in the face of overwhelming danger.

🚇 Escape Networks:

• The Dutch-Paris Line – One of the most successful escape networks, smuggling persecuted individuals, including Jews, out of the Netherlands to neutral territories like Switzerland and Spain. These operations required extreme secrecy, strategic planning, and immense personal risk.

• September–November 1940 – Jewish newspapers were shut down, civil servants were dismissed, and Jewish businesses were seized.
• January 1942 – Jewish identity papers were stamped with "J," marking individuals for deportation.
• May 1942 – The infamous yellow star became mandatory for all Jews over the age of six, exposing them to public discrimination and violence.

Despite the constant threat of arrest and execution, the Dutch resistance refused to be silenced. Their bravery and sacrifice laid the foundation for the underground war that would grow stronger with each passing year.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.

🔜 Coming next in Episode 4: Resistance in Action—Sabotage, Espionage, and the Underground War Against the Nazis.

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