Great-Grandma and the Nazi Schutzstaffel

Today is Liberation Day in the Netherlands. It marks the end of the occupation of the Netherlands by Nazi Germany during the Second World War.

About five years ago, I stumbled on a laminated newspaper article celebrating my great-grandparents 50th wedding anniversary and the role they played during the War. The source is unknown, but I am assuming it was in a local newspaper. What I learned about my great-grandmother shocked and amazed me…

The woman I remember as my great-grandmother took on a new identity. A woman kind and frail, now headstrong and defiant. I thought I’d share a little summary of the article. What follows is a rough translation:

Around here the name Holdijk reminds one of the family Holdijk and the significant role they played in The Resistance. Many went into hiding at the tranquil family farm that became the center of The Resistance. […] The farm became the target of the paramilitary collaborators and the German military police. Thanks to Mrs. Holdijk’s courageous disposition, she and her husband can celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

Three weeks before Liberation Mr. Holdijk escaped death. He went into hiding at his own farm when an armored personnel carrier arrived and the SS encircled the farm. From 1 to 4 in the afternoon, the house was ransacked. Hay and straw was removed from the attic and even the wooden floor was lifted.

The SS, convinced that Mr. Holdijk was home, was angered and placed a pistol to Mrs. Holdijk’s chest. Despite the threat, Mrs. Holdijk did not turn in her husband. Her courageous disposition made such an impression on the SS that the men wanted to shake her hand. She refused. The SS departed with resistance fighters caught earlier that day. All of them shot and killed in Zutphen.

The farm still belongs to the family. I spent a few summers on the farm, completely ignorant of the history around me and not realizing how awesome my great-grandmother was.

She passed away in 1995. The laminated newspaper article, in Dutch, for those that are interested. I’m wanting to learn more about The Resistance and my family’s role.