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In gratitude
for our freedom

Recognition and appreciation for the Dutch merchant navy in World War II

Events that took place this week during World War II

Click on the blue pointer(s) in the world map below and read which event (torpedoing, attack, operation) took place with which ship on which date during the war years 1939-1945.

The indispensable role of Dutch merchant navy personnel during World War II

During World War II (1939-1945), crews of the Dutch merchant navy sailed and fought alongside Allied forces for years under compulsory service. This came at great cost in suffering and casualties, but achieved a monumental result: freedom.

Attention for our invisible heroes

The contribution of the Dutch merchant navy was decisive for the course of World War II. Their heroic role has unfortunately remained underexposed. Our aim is for them to receive lasting recognition and a permanent place in our collective memory. They deserve it.

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Databank on the Dutch merchant navy during World War II

An almost complete and searchable overview of Dutch merchant navy ships and crews during World War II.

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What was their contribution to World War II?

What do you actually know about our merchant navy veterans?

  • What do you know about their life-threatening work at sea?
  • What do you know about the sailing obligation they had?
  • What do you know about their deeds?
  • What do you know about their severe hardships and mortal fears?
  • What do you know about their unimaginable courage and achievements?
  • What do you know about their sacrifices?
Read about the merchant navy

The Dutch merchant navy made the largest and most valuable contribution to the Dutch share in the Allied final victory.

L.L. von Münching | Maritime historian
Source: De Nederlandse Koopvaardijvloot in de Tweede Wereldoorlog
(The Dutch Merchant Fleet in World War II)

The price for the merchant navy was high

After the outbreak of World War II, Dutch merchant ships were equipped with weapons such as deck guns, anti-aircraft machine guns, and sometimes depth charges. Later in the war, radar systems were also introduced. The crew was compelled to sail.

Under perilous conditions, they transported people, food, and supplies to places where they were needed. But the price was high. The enemy did everything in their power to sink the ships.

Video from the Netherlands Institute of Military History from the series ‘The Merchant Navy in the War 1940–1946’.

Facts & figures

160

crew members lost their lives even before the war began

43 Merchant navy ships and several fishing vessels were attacked with mines, bombs and torpedoes in the neutrality period. That's the period between September 1, 1939 and May 10, 1940 when the Netherlands was not at war. Fishing vessels also suffered losses.

1.200

merchant ships

sailed under the Dutch flag when war broke out. The freighters, coastal vessels and tugboats that entered Allied service were manned by 32,000 sailors, over 19,000 of whom were Dutch. They were compelled to participate in Allied warfare in June 1940.

43

Dutch ships

were involved in the evacuation of Allied troops and civilians from French ports and the British Channel Islands in May and June 1940.

>525

Dutch ships

were lost in World War II.

Approximately
4.200

merchant navy seamen

died during mandatory support of the Allied warfare (over 2,700 Dutch and over 1,400 non-Dutch sailors).

To the Databank

The past lives on in the present

We live in the here and now. In doing so, we stand on the shoulders of the generations before us. The dedication and achievements of the Dutch merchant navy seamen in World War II were impressive. They helped liberate the world, something to be glad and grateful for.

In gratitude for our freedom

Freedom is extraordinarily special. Let us continue to celebrate that, with recognition of and appreciation for the commitment, courage and sacrifices of our merchant navy veterans.

Let us also give them a permanent place in our collective memory.
They more than deserve it.

More about the merchant navy

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iban NL96 INGB 0005 3629 74
chamber of commerce 24289132

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