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Hongerwinter: The Dutch Famine of 1944-1945
One horrific results of Operation Market Garden was the winter that followed and the pain it inflicted on the Dutch people we failed to liberate.
Hongerwinter: The Dutch Famine of 1944-1945
One horrific results of Operation Market Garden was the winter that followed and the pain it inflicted on the Dutch people we failed to liberate.
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Towards the end of World War II, both sides experienced challenges supplying the forces. In fact, Operation Market Garden was partly driven by the dire resupply issues the Allies were facing.
Towards the end of World War II, both sides experienced challenges supplying the forces. In fact, Operation Market Garden was partly driven by the dire resupply issues the Allies were facing.
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But supplies were not just a military concern. The Nazi-occupied regions of the Netherlands, for example, faced food shortages which worsened after Operation Market Garden as Europe headed into winter.
But supplies were not just a military concern. The Nazi-occupied regions of the Netherlands, for example, faced food shortages which worsened after Operation Market Garden as Europe headed into winter.
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During Market Garden, some populated cities became battlefields, making food supply transport impractical, and impacting the homes of many Dutch families.
During Market Garden, some populated cities became battlefields, making food supply transport impractical, and impacting the homes of many Dutch families.
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The Allies managed to liberate parts of the Netherlands in the south during Operation Market Garden, but their advance was stopped at Arnhem.
The Allies managed to liberate parts of the Netherlands in the south during Operation Market Garden, but their advance was stopped at Arnhem.
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Furthermore, German Panzer Divisions destroyed some docks and bridges to impede the Allied advance. This crippled food transport after the Allies were turned back.
Furthermore, German Panzer Divisions destroyed some docks and bridges to impede the Allied advance. This crippled food transport after the Allies were turned back.
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After Market Garden, a German blockade cut off resupply of food and fuel that would have otherwise gone to farm towns and densely populated areas in the Nazi-occupied regions, impacting some 4.5 million people.
After Market Garden, a German blockade cut off resupply of food and fuel that would have otherwise gone to farm towns and densely populated areas in the Nazi-occupied regions, impacting some 4.5 million people.
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The season after Market Garden was a particularly harsh winter that began early. The brutal cold, combined with the lack of food, made for a deadly winter. It became known as Hongerwinter (hunger winter).
The season after Market Garden was a particularly harsh winter that began early. The brutal cold, combined with the lack of food, made for a deadly winter. It became known as Hongerwinter (hunger winter).
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Rationing food via ration cards was common throughout war. Butter, for example, all but disappeared from availability in the western parts of the Netherlands by October 1944.
Rationing food via ration cards was common throughout war. Butter, for example, all but disappeared from availability in the western parts of the Netherlands by October 1944.
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Rations allocated per family were tiny and kept getting smaller as food grew sparser.
Rations allocated per family were tiny and kept getting smaller as food grew sparser.
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By the end of November 1944, when food supplies were running dangerously low and resupply seemed unlikely, adult rations in the western Netherlands dropped to about 1,000 calories per person per day.
By the end of November 1944, when food supplies were running dangerously low and resupply seemed unlikely, adult rations in the western Netherlands dropped to about 1,000 calories per person per day.
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January 1945 was brutally cold. Waterways froze and water transport of supplies was virtually impossible for the entire month and into February.
January 1945 was brutally cold. Waterways froze and water transport of supplies was virtually impossible for the entire month and into February.
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By the end of February 1945, adult rations in the western Netherlands had been further reduced to 580 calories per day.
By the end of February 1945, adult rations in the western Netherlands had been further reduced to 580 calories per day.
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Even the Black Market ran out of food. People would eat sugar beets and tulip bulbs even. Soup kitchens helped sustain many people, but even then just barely.
Even the Black Market ran out of food. People would eat sugar beets and tulip bulbs even. Soup kitchens helped sustain many people, but even then just barely.
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Electricity and gas were also rationed. So, in the middle of this exceptionally harsh winter, when everyone was starving, they were also freezing. Furniture and parts of homes were being burned for heat.
Electricity and gas were also rationed. So, in the middle of this exceptionally harsh winter, when everyone was starving, they were also freezing. Furniture and parts of homes were being burned for heat.
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Those young and able would walk miles to try and trade what valuables they had for food from farms, if they could find any that had food to spare.
Those young and able would walk miles to try and trade what valuables they had for food from farms, if they could find any that had food to spare.
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Because the densely populated areas saw greater scarcity of resources, thousands of children were moved from cities to more rural areas toward the end of 1944, as many were anticipating a famine.
Because the densely populated areas saw greater scarcity of resources, thousands of children were moved from cities to more rural areas toward the end of 1944, as many were anticipating a famine.
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From September 1944 until May 1945, about 18,000 people died in the Netherlands. Malnutrition was the primary cause of death.
From September 1944 until May 1945, about 18,000 people died in the Netherlands. Malnutrition was the primary cause of death.
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April 1945: Winter is over. Peace is on the horizon.
FDR is dead. The Third Reich has lost its grip on much of Europe.
The Germans allow Allied air drops of food supplies to the regions still under occupation, such as the Netherlands.
April 1945: Winter is over. Peace is on the horizon.
FDR is dead. The Third Reich has lost its grip on much of Europe.
The Germans allow Allied air drops of food supplies to the regions still under occupation, such as the Netherlands.
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The Germans essentially agreed not to shoot down the planes on “mercy missions." In return the Allies agreed not to bomb the Germans in the process.
The Germans essentially agreed not to shoot down the planes on “mercy missions." In return the Allies agreed not to bomb the Germans in the process.
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It was called "Operation Manna." The British Royal Air Force and the Canadian Royal Air Force dropped food for the Dutch people from April 29th to May 7th, 1945.
It was called "Operation Manna." The British Royal Air Force and the Canadian Royal Air Force dropped food for the Dutch people from April 29th to May 7th, 1945.
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Operation Chowhound: The Army Air Force made a set of air drops from May 1st to May 8th, 1945.
Operation Chowhound: The Army Air Force made a set of air drops from May 1st to May 8th, 1945.
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The Allies liberated the western part of the Netherlands in May, bringing an end to the famine.
The Allies liberated the western part of the Netherlands in May, bringing an end to the famine.
FINAL:
The Dutch famine of the winter of 1944 to 1945 was a tragic outgrowth of the inability of Market Garden to liberate Holland.
The Dutch famine of the winter of 1944 to 1945 was a tragic outgrowth of the inability of Market Garden to liberate Holland.
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