History of Zandvoort during the Second World War

1940
On May 16, 1940, the Germans entered Zandvoort. SS infantry troops and other units of the German army took up residence in the largely vacant hotels and guesthouses. The headquarters was established in the clubhouse of the Kennemer Golf Club. On the night of August 4 to 5, the Jewish synagogue was blown up, presumably by members of the NSB (Dutch Nazi Party) from Zandvoort and Heemstede with the help of the SS. Zandvoort was systematically subjected to the German regime. Food was rationed, the Dutch flag could no longer be displayed, and there was a ban on listening to foreign radio stations. Cars, bicycles, and horses were confiscated. A ban on gasoline was also introduced.

1941
From February 27, Jews were prohibited from entering cafes and public spaces. In June, a ban was introduced for Jews to visit the boulevard and the beach. From September 1, Jewish children were no longer allowed to attend public schools. All Jewish entrepreneurs were forced to close their shops.

1942
On March 12, unmarried Jews over the age of 18 were taken by train to Amsterdam. A day later, 153 Jewish families followed. They were housed in the Jewish Quarter in Amsterdam and later transported to Westerbork and extermination camps. In May, the beach became a restricted area (Sperrgebiet) and was forbidden for all residents and bathers. To prevent an Allied invasion, construction of the Atlantic Wall began. All coastal towns were systematically demolished. Zandvoort also had to face this fate. First, the residents had to be evacuated. The execution of the Atlantic Wall construction was in the hands of Organisation Todt. All hotels on the boulevard were demolished.

1943
The municipal government was now fully occupied by NSB members. The Germans received help from Dutch contractors to build the bunkers at a rapid pace. In May, the general Arbeitseinsatz (forced labor) came into effect. Dutch men between the ages of 17 and 40 were forced into labor. On September 17, the pride of Zandvoort was further wounded. After many attempts, the water tower was blown up.

1944
General Rommel visited Zandvoort and ordered the construction of even more bunkers in the dunes. ‘Ons Huis’ (Our House) was renamed ‘snerthuis’ (pea soup house), because residents could only get pea soup there. On September 5, rumors spread that the Allies were in the Netherlands. NSB members and German soldiers fled. No one knew what to expect. This day was called ‘Dolle Dinsdag’ (Mad Tuesday). Zandvoort became even more isolated. On October 9, tram traffic between Haarlem and Zandvoort was cancelled. The electricity was cut off. Survival became increasingly desperate when water was also rationed. It was a harsh winter, and people used anything flammable to stay warm. Trees were cut down illegally and vacant houses were looted for wood. These acts carried heavy penalties.

1945
In January 1945, there was a thick layer of snow. All bicycles were confiscated. Bread was rationed. Food stamps had become worthless because there were hardly any products left. The food shortage was at its peak. People literally died of hunger. At the end of the Hunger Winter, the Allies decided, with the agreement of the Germans, to deliver food by air. The British Operation Manna and the American Operation Chowhound provided the food supplies. On May 3, the food was dropped at the fields in Vogelenzang. Afterwards, in cooperation with the occupiers, it was transported to the police station in Zandvoort and distributed among the population. The liberation of Europe and the Netherlands was near. On the evening of May 4, the message was received that Western Holland would be liberated on May 5 at 8:00 AM. Zandvoort was still hermetically sealed. The occupiers remained in the Zander position. The news spread quickly through the village. On May 5, Mayor van Alphen and the aldermen returned to the Town Hall. Hundreds of Zandvoort residents stood on the Tramplein. The Dutch flag was raised after five years of occupation, and the Wilhelmus (national anthem) was sung with full conviction. Two days later, the liberators entered the village. They were Canadians. The liberation was celebrated in Zandvoort for months to come.