FAMILY STORIES OF DUTCH SOLDIERS 1939-1940

After the May days of 1940, the stories of Dutch soldiers quickly disappeared into the attic. The vast majority of conscripts never spoke about their experiences. Since the construction of the Grebbe Line Visitor Center, families have brought their diaries, photo albums, and artifacts with them and have explored the wartime history of their father, uncle, or grandfather.

Top display plate

The top display plate displays a saber that hung in the living room of Captain Dirk Sluis’s widow. He was killed between Veenendaal and Rhenen while covering the Dutch army’s retreat. Many soldiers’ war diary entries have been preserved. Conscript Ruiter served in an anti-tank gun unit.

Middle display plate

The middle display plate displays the belongings of regimental doctor Captain Kluijver. He wore his Red Cross armband on his arm during the fighting. His diary includes a photo of Captain Sluis’s field grave, which he found along the road.

Bottom display plate

On the base plate lies the notebook of a field chaplain in the Grebbe Line. Each page shows notes from soldiers who reported to the chaplains. Also found here are a plaque from the Military Home and a small Bible that was issued to Protestant soldiers.