The Hongerwinter

The harsh winter of 1944 to 1945 in the Netherlands came to be known as the "Hongerwinter" or hunger winter. With a great shortage of food and fuel for the Dutch population leading to famine, especially in the larger cities Rotterdam, Amsterdam, the Heague and other cities in the west.

Because the rivers and the IJsselmeer froze over at the end of December and land transport was no longer possible, the west of the Netherlands was cut off from all possible food and relief goods, fuels, clothing and medicines. The Central Shipping Company for the Food Supply could no longer sail. With the liberation in reach, more than 20.000 Dutch people died of cold or starvation as a result of this blockade.