Liberation Route

In May 1940, Nazi Germany invaded and occupied the Netherlands. With liberation efforts starting in 1944, the Netherlands became strategically important during Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Scheldt. 

The Netherlands was occupied in 1940 after five days of fierce fighting. During the occupation, thousands of civilians died due to the actions of the Nazi regime and as a result of Allied bombings. The Jewish population in particular suffered under German occupation: 75% of all Dutch Jews did not survive the war. Late 1944 the southern Netherlands was liberated during Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Scheldt. The north remained occupied until 1945.