A FORGOTTEN WAR

The Dutch army fought for five days in May 1940. Soldiers who returned home hardly talked about it with their families. Diaries moved to the attic. After the war, schools only included the occupation and liberation in the curriculum. Now, after more than 85 years, the stories of 1940 are coming to life thanks to research in collaboration with the families.

Top display plate

The top display plate contains a flashlight and two lanterns that Sergeant Van Atten used in the Werk aan de Engelaar in Renswoude. The photo booklet, mobilization war cross, memorial plaque, war pocket book and identification plate belong to orderly Gerard Lauck, who served in the 22nd Armored Defense Company. The model shows a casemate for a light machine gun and the only Dutch tank (Renault FT) that participated in tests at the Asschatterkeerkade near Leusden.

Middle display plate

On the left of the second display plate is a model of a Landsverk armored car encountering the tank barrier in front of the Fort aan de Buursteeg on May 11, 1940. In 1940, the Dutch army had approximately 32 modern armored cars at its disposal. A skating soldier is visible on the right. In the winter of 1939-1940 the army did skating exercises in the Asschatterkom near Leusden.

Bottom display plate

On the bottom plate is a Dutch M27 helmet that was worn in 1940 and an Engineer’s shovel, which was used for making trenches. The reconstruction tile with lion comes from a demolished reconstruction farm on Nieuweweg-Noord in Veenendaal.