Evacuation of Arnhem facts for kids
The evacuation of Arnhem (Dutch: evacuatie van Arnhem) was a time during World War II when many people had to leave their homes in the Dutch city of Arnhem. This happened from September 23 to 25, 1944. The German army, called the Wehrmacht, made tens of thousands of people from Arnhem and nearby towns leave. They did this to make it easier to defend the city against the Allied forces during Operation Market Garden. After everyone left, many houses were robbed by German soldiers and others who supported them.
Leaving their homes was very hard for the people of Arnhem. They could only take a few important things with them. They didn't know where they were going or when they could come back. Many homes were badly damaged or looted. People were finally allowed to return after the Liberation of Arnhem on April 14, 1945. But it was often hard to go back because many houses were destroyed. Some people didn't return until September 1945, and some never came back at all.
Even though it was difficult, the evacuation probably saved many lives. Arnhem became a battle zone for several months and was shelled by bombs. The nearby city of Nijmegen was not evacuated and hundreds of civilians died there from bombings. During Arnhem's liberation in April 1945, there was a lot of damage to buildings, but very few civilians died.
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Why People Had to Leave
The Battle of Arnhem happened between German and Allied forces from September 17 to 26, 1944. The Allies lost this battle. They couldn't capture the bridge in Arnhem, which was a key part of their plan, Operation Market Garden. This meant the war in the Netherlands lasted another eight months.
Even though the Germans won, they were worried. The fighting had suddenly moved very close to the Rhine river. So, on September 23, the German Wehrmacht ordered people to leave Arnhem. They also ordered evacuations in nearby towns like Renkum, Heveadorp, Doorwerth, Wolfheze, Heelsum, Oosterbeek, and Wageningen. Large parts of the Liemers area also had to be cleared.
The main reason for the evacuation was to help the German army defend the city. They also worried that Dutch civilians might help the Allies. Another reason was to take over buildings and goods for their own use. They also wanted to give these things to German families whose homes were bombed.
How the Evacuation Happened
The Order to Leave
The German army gave the evacuation order on Saturday, September 23. On Sunday, September 24, the Red Cross helped by putting up posters around Arnhem. These posters told people what to do.
To the Population of Arnhem
On the order of the German Wehrmacht the entire population of Arnhem must evacuate, specifically: below the railway today (Sunday) and above the railway on Monday night 25 September at the latest. For the direction of evacuation recommended are towards APELDOORN and towards EDE. The population is advised to organise in small neighbourhood groups (urban residential areas) and with their own means of organisation to see to the transportation of those old of age, in need of assistance, and children. Hospitals will be evacuated as well, which the Red Cross will take care of, due to which this organisation has already been overburdened.
Everyone therefore is to take care of themselves as much as possible within their own group. A series of assistance points along the road to Apeldoorn will be established by the municipality. Everyone is to only bring along matters of the utmost necessity, this being primarily blankets, eating utensils and food supply. In connection with dangers from the air, one is advised to form small groups, equipped with white flags.
in the name of the Evacuation Commissary, the District Commissary of the Red Cross [jonkheer dr. J.N. van der Does].
Leaving Their Homes
At first, many people and officials didn't want to leave. They thought the Allies would arrive very soon. No one knew the war would last another eight months. Many thought they would be back home quickly. Some people who supported the Germans had already left. The mayor, Eugène Albert Arnold Liera, had left on September 17.
On September 25, 1944, most people from Arnhem walked north and west. Some used cargo bikes or small carts to carry their belongings. The evacuees found places to stay in different towns and regions. These included Apeldoorn, Ede, the Veluwe, and even Friesland. The Red Cross often helped people find a place to stay. Sometimes, the only place available was a chicken coop. The Netherlands Open Air Museum also offered shelter.
The journey was dangerous. At a bridge over the IJssel river near Zwolle, German soldiers stopped people. They arrested all men under 50 years old to make them work.
It's estimated that between 90,000 and 150,000 people were evacuated. After they left, German soldiers and others stole many things from their empty homes.
After the War Ended
After the liberation of Arnhem on April 14, 1945, people were slowly allowed to return home. But it took many months for everyone to get back. Some residents didn't return until September 1945.
In one area of Arnhem called Geitenkamp, about 900 people stayed behind. This included some of the 8,000 residents and several thousand people who were forced to work. The area was closed off with barbed wire fences. During the evacuation, some forced laborers who refused to work for the Germans were arrested and shot. After the liberation, many people from Geitenkamp were wrongly seen as having helped the Germans.
Remembering the Evacuation
A monument was put up in 1995 to remember the evacuation of Arnhem. It is at the crossing of Jansbuitensingel and Apeldoornseweg. The words on the monument say:
| WEG WEG ... MAAR WAARHEEN GEDENKTEKEN EVACUATIE ARNHEM 1944 SEPTEMBER - APRIL 1945 |
This means: "Away away... but where to? Memorial Arnhem evacuation. 1944 September – April 1945."
A ceremony is held there every year. However, not many people attend because of its location. Other bigger events for the Battle of Arnhem happen in September.
Images for kids
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A monument in the Openluchtmuseum (built in 1984) remembers the evacuation.
