In August 2014, it was 100 years ago that the First World War broke out, an event that will be commemorated worldwide this year.
One of only twelve neutral countries during the First World War was the Netherlands. For that reason, it is obvious to assume that we simply ignore 2014. After all, we did not participate. Nothing is less true.
Although the Netherlands was not a warring party, our country experienced the radical consequences of the war in various ways. First of all there was the overall mobilization of the Dutch army, an operation of unprecedented proportions. After the fall of Antwerp, in October 1914 flooded one million, mostly Belgian, refugees in our country (out of a population of approximately 6 million Dutch people!) Who had to be taken care of. Mines and the unlimited submarine war of the Germans killed more than 1000 crew members of Dutch ships. Scarcity made years of rationing necessary, which among other things led to the famous Potato riot in Amsterdam.
And not to forget: In WWI, quite a large number of Dutch people have earned a lot of money by doing business with all the warring parties and operating on the black market. That aspect will probably be less highlighted. But reading the book De traveling salesman from the Dutch Cocaine Factory from Conny Braam is an absolute must
The Netherlands also has a story when it comes to the First World War. And although relatively unknown, the story is worth telling. And that is precisely what the 100 Foundation for the Netherlands and the First World War aims to achieve: bringing the story of the Netherlands and the First World War to the attention of a wide audience.
And that an enormous number of technical novelties in the field of transport were launched in the Great War? Well, with a century of space in between we can now appreciate that.
The armored car started its life as a civilian Rolls Royce. The motorcycle is a Harley-Davidson.
And if you go to the battlefields of yesteryear, and they are close by, in Flanders and Northern France, you will experience that time does heal all wounds, but sometimes it takes more that 100 year.