Introduction
The focus of this month’s article is Mobilization in Museums. The Netherlands has various museums, many of which highlight World War II (1940-1945). However, some museums focus entirely or partially on the mobilization period and the May days of 1939-1940. This article highlights these museums, as I visited a few of them several months ago. In addition, I hope to inspire others to visit these museums and explore this remarkable period in history.
National Military Museum, https://www.nmm.nl/nl/ (Soesterberg)
The National Military Museum in Soesterberg is, as the name suggests, the military museum of the Netherlands. It focuses on Dutch military history, from the time of the Dutch Republic to the present day. Part of the museum is dedicated to the mobilization period and the May days. Below, you will find some photos of this exhibit.
A painting of a mobilized soldier standing guard at the coast.
Dutch soldiers engaging German aircraft during the May Days of 1940.
The French Renault FT17 was the only tank in the Netherlands during the period of 1939-1940. This tank was primarily used for conducting certain tests and to alleviate concerns among the Dutch citizens.
This is the interior of the French Renault FT17.
Grebbelinie Museum, https://grebbeliniebezoekerscentrum.nl/ (Renswoude)
The Grebbelinie Museum focuses on the history of the entire Grebbe Line. This line is over 400 years old, and the museum provides extensive information about its history. Furthermore, part of the museum is dedicated to the mobilization period and the May days of 1940. Below, you will find some photos.
This photo shows the uniform, weapon, and helmet of the Dutch army during the mobilization period and the May Days. The general mobilization call can also be seen at the top.
Grebbeberg (Rhenen)
The Grebbeberg in Rhenen is a cemetery for soldiers who lost their lives during the May days of 1940. In addition, several monuments have been erected in memory of these soldiers. There is also a small museum dedicated to the cemetery and the Battle of the Grebbeberg. This museum is located near the cemetery. Below, you can see some photos of the cemetery and trenches.
Here you see some cemeteries of fallen Dutch soldiers.
This is one of the remaining trenches on the Grebbeberg.
Naval Museum, https://www.marinemuseum.nl/nl/ (Den Helder) & Marines Museum, https://www.mariniersmuseum.nl/nl/ (Rotterdam).
These two museums highlight the role of the Dutch Navy and Marines throughout history, including their contribution during the German invasion of 1940.
Kazematten Museum, https://www.kazemattenmuseum.nl/ (Afsluitdijk)
The Kazematten Museum at the Afsluitdijk focuses on, among other things, the Battle of the Afsluitdijk during the May days of 1940. This was, along with the Battle of The Hague, one of the few battles in which Dutch forces achieved victory by halting the German advance.
Museum Rotterdam, https://museumrotterdam.nl/ (Rotterdam) & Museum School, https://www.ridderkerk.nl/direct-regelen/evenementen-recreatie/cultuur/museumschool/ (Ridderkerk).
Museum Rotterdam covers the entire Second World War, including the battle for the Maas Bridges and the bombing of Rotterdam during the May days of 1940.
The Museum School in Ridderkerk is the place where the Dutch capitulation (with the exception of Zeeland) was signed. This museum, naturally, devotes extensive attention to this historic event.
Weest op uw Hoede, https://weestopuwhoede.nl/ (Prinsenbeek)
The museum Weest op uw Hoede in Prinsenbeek is the only museum in the Netherlands exclusively dedicated to the mobilization period, the May days of 1940, and Dutch soldiers in captivity. It is a very small museum but offers a unique story told from the perspective of Dutch soldiers.
Ergens in Nederland, https://www.ergensinnederland1939-1945.nl/home (Emmen)
The museum Ergens in Nederland is a small museum in Emmen focusing on the period 1939–1945. It covers the events from the start of the mobilization up to the end of the Second World War.
Mobilization Museum “In Time of War,” https://www.facebook.com/bertjansmuseum (online)
This online museum (on Facebook) offers an extensive collection of artifacts from the Dutch military around 1940. Visitors can explore the collection from their laptop.
Soldaat Sikke Hiemstra 